U.16 Ladies Div. 2 Co. League Final

U.16 Ladies Div. 2 Co. League Final   By Mary O’Leary Firies PRO

 

 

On Monday last in Beaufort on a glorious September evening Firies U.16 girls captured the Div. II Co. League title defeating a gallant Laune Rangers team by two points. Scoreline of 2-9 to 1-10. This was a highly entertaining, exciting, closely contested game right from the throw in to the final whistle. It will go down as one of the best games seen in Ladies under-age football, both teams demonstrating some fantastic skill and teamwork. The two teams are a credit to their clubs and mentors and the future for both clubs looks bright with such underage talent at their disposal.

 

Firies started the brighter and after a few wides registered points from Megan O’Connor and Carmel Kate Kelleher. Laune Rangers responded with a Maria O’Sullivan point. The game flowed from end to end for the next ten minutes. Then in the 19th minute Firies energetic centre forward Katie O’Leary collected a ball forty yards out on left side line, took off on a solo run, cut in towards goal and from fourteen yards out sent an unstoppable shot to the roof of the Laune Rangers net. Firies 1-2, Laune Rangers 0-1. Laune Rangers to their credit responded with points from Johanna Callaghan and Lorna Flynn. Then Niamh Gleeson got a second Firies goal finishing the rebound after Maura Healy stopped her original shot. Advantage Firies 2-2 to 0-3. But almost immediately Laune Rangers stuck with a brilliant Maria O’Sullivan shot rattling the Firies net leaving it 2-2 to 1-3 game on. Both sides exchanged a point a piece to leave half-time score Firies 2-3, Laune Rangers 1-4.

 

The second half was a welter of excitement with both sides enjoying periods of dominance. Laune Rangers struck first with an Emma Cronin point. Sinead Hoctor replied for Firies. Johanna Callaghan cut the deficit to a point, Niamh Clifford replied. Then Katie O’Leary put Firies three ahead. After this Laune Rangers hit a purple patch with three unanswered points from Mary A. Doherty, Maria O’Sullivan and Emma Cronin to level matters. Ten minutes to go, Firies then with two from Niamh Gleeson and one from Carmel Kate Kelleher went three ahead. Laune Rangers need a goal they got a Maria O’Sullivan point to leave final score Firies 2-9, Laune Rangers 1-10.

 

Firies were well served by Gemma O’Mahony, Sarah Kenny, Sarah Fitzgerald in defence. midfielders Niamh Gleeson and Sinead Hoctor and in attack Katie O’Leary, Carmel Kate Kelleher and Niamh Clifford. In what was overall a brilliant team performance. For Laune Rangers, Meave and Aoife Johnston, Grainne Sayers in defence, midfield Mary Ann Doherty and Johanna Callaghan and in attach Emma Cronin and Maria O’Sullivan tried their utmost in what was also a brilliant team effort.

 

After the game Co. Board Chairman Donal Curtin presented the trophy to Firies Captain Niamh Gleeson.

 

Firies Team: Nicola O’Sullivan, Deborah Kerrisk, Gemma O’Mahony, Brid Kerrisk, Sarah Fitzgerald, Sarah Kenny, Aine O’Connor, Sinead Hoctor, Niamh Gleeson, Oonagh Gleeson, Katie O’Leary, Megan O’Connor, Carmel Kate Kelleher, Niamh Clifford, Katie Groves.

 

Laune Rangers: Maura Healy, Meadbh Johnston, Aoife Johnston, Susan Galvin, Cliodhna McSweeney, Grainne Sayers, Kaitlin Coffey, Mary Ann Doherty, Johanna Callaghan, Cliodhna Ross, Lorna Flynn, Emma Cronin, Norina Callaghan, Maura Sullivan, Aine O’Connor.