Dundalk IT record emphatic Lynch Cup victory over TUS Midlands

Dundalk IT kept their Lynch Cup hopes alive with this emphatic victory over TUS Midlands in Dundalk earlier this week.

Having lost out to MTU Cork in their opening round clash, DKIT had the bit between their teeth from the start in this one, grabbing three goals in the opening ten minutes to take a firm hold of proceedings, with Meath native Rachel Casserly on fire.

The St Ultan’s club player, who amassed 2-2 against MTU in the previous round, was at it again, finishing with 4-1 on the night, as DKIT went for the jugular early doors.

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A brace of majors inside the opening five minutes from Casserly gave DKIT an early six point lead, as the Dundalk side moved the ball through the hands, at pace in the transition after winning the ball back on the turnover.

Such moves involved the impressive Vanessa Brennan, who worked tirelessly in the middle sector alongside Ciara Gilsenan. Brennan’s turnover led to Casserly crashing the ball to the net for the opening green flag.

Another turnover from Louth’s Caitlin O’Reilly saw, the lively Gemma Grimes tee up Casserly for her second goal in as many minutes.

Despite this fast star, DKIT had to be alert at the other hand, with keeper Rebecca Lambe Fagan producing a splendid save to thwart a stinging shot from TUS’ Rosin McManus, who continued to give the home side’s defence plenty to think about.

McManus got TUS off the mark moments later following neat play from Sarah Walker.

However, DKIT soon shut the TUS door down, when goal number three arrived. A clever foot pass by Ciara Gilsenan saw Kilkerley’s Ciara Lennon set up Abby Ryan to tap home their third major inside nine minutes.

Points from TUS’ Leah Duffy and Aisling McCabe kept DKIT honest, but a fine strike by Gemma Grimes, sandwiched in between two frees from Roche Emmets’ Abi Keenan left DKIT ahead by 3-3 to 0-3 after 20 minutes.

DKIT’s movement through the hands at pace was too much for TUS Midlands to handle, and after Ciara Gilsenan and Kate Lennon combined for Rachel Casserly to fire over the bar, Casserly sealed her hattrick, after collecting a shot from Gemma Grimes which dopped short, for 4-4 to 0-3.

DKIT also dominated on kickouts, winning five out of 13 on the TUS kickout in that first half.

Ciara Gilsenan raised a white flag, following another marvellous move through the hands, before Rachel Casserly turned provider, setting up a late goal from Abi Keenan left DKIT ahead by 17 points at the break.

Second Half:

Two minutes of the second half had barely elapsed, when DKIT added another 1-2 to their tally, with Rachel Casserly grabbing her fourth goal after intercepting a TUS kickout.

Casserly’s goal arrived following points from Vanessa Brennan and Ciara Lennon, as DKIT showed no mercy, despite the best efforts of Rosin McManus from frees for TUS, while midfielder Aisling McCabe continued to offer herself for kickouts for her side.

DKIT continued to dominate, with their seventh goal arriving via a deflected free kick, while Vanessa Brennan, and Abi Keenan tagged on points.

Aisling Maguire who was rewarded for her impressive cameo against MTU Cork with a starting place in this fixture, also found the range before the close of play.

DKIT are now through to the quarter finals of the Lynch Cup, with another home game to look forward to next month.

Dundalk IT: Rebecca Lambe Fagan; Sophie Grey, Holly Lambe Sally, Tara Reneghan; Kate Lennon, Caitlin O’Reilly, Rosanna O’Neill; Ciara Gilsenan (0-1), Vanessa Brennan (0-2); Abby Ryan (1-0), Gemma Grimes (0-1), Abi Keenan (1-4) (3f); Aisling Maguire, Ciara Lennon (0-1), Rachel Casserly (5-1).

TUS Midlands: Lucy Cullen Nolan; Cliodhna McCahey, Ailish Kelly, Megan Commins; Sarah Walker, Brenda Naughton, Natasja Merry; Aisling McCabe (0-1), Aoife Kililea; Shannon Walker, Holly O’Donoghue, Roisin McManus (0-5) (1f); Leah Duffy, Cliona Reilly (0-1), Alanna Hardling.

Referee: Emma Dunne.