AGB Retain Ladies County U14 Title

AGB Retain Ladies County U14 Title

The Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney U14 Ladies Team added the Wicklow County Title to their impressive list of attainments this year when, last Saturday, they overcame a game Baltinglass side, on a score of 11-11 to 0-5.

As the score suggests the AGB team was much stronger than the young Baltinglass players. However the Baltinglass girls can take heart as this Arklow side is an exceptional team and have similarly brushed aside opposition from all over Ireland this year. The Baltinglass girls never gave up and managed to pin the Arklow girls back in their own half for periods of the game. However their good play was not reflected on the scoreboard.

Baltinglass intercounty players of Lucy Cushe and Anna Fitzpatrick tried to the very end. In particular Anna at centre back had the unenviable task of marking AGB captain Aife Kavanagh and she stuck manfully to the task for the entire game.

AGB had too much firepower for the Baltinglass defence and in particular the AGB full forwards of Erinne Murphy and Kayleigh Crammond are almost unstoppable at this level. Murphy opened the scoring after one minute with a sweetly struck point off her left foot after good play from Shauna Fleming and Naomi Roche. Erinne went on to score a total of 4-4 in the game. Not to be outdone on the scoring stakes Kayleigh Crammond grabbed a total of 5-1 in the game.

AGB while playing with the wind built up a lead of 7-8 to 0-1 in the first half. In addition the Baltinglass goalkeeper Megan Keogh made at least six outstanding saves and was arguably the player of the match. In the second half Baltinglass pressed hard and were rewarded by points form Lucy Cushe(2) and Chloe Farrell and Sally Brophy, one each.

The game was well refereed by Michelle Brown who presented the cup to winning captain Aife Kavanagh on behalf of the county board. Aife congratulated the Baltinglass team on reaching the final and reminded them that AGB had lost their first two finals at this grade. She encouraged them to keep up the good work.

As a team AGB played an excellent brand of football that involves a quick transfer of the ball into the danger area. Vivienne Walsh and Emma Marshall were outstanding in the AGB defence. Katie Kindlon worked tirelessly in midfield and enjoyed a royal tussle with her opponent Lucy Cushe. Aine O’Reilly had a superb first half together with Aife Kavanagh, Erinne Murphy and Kayleigh Crammond.

For Baltinglass Megan Keogh was outstanding in goals, Anna Fitzpatrick and Rachel Murphy were solid in defence as were Lucy Cushe and Paula Faulkner at midfield.

The AGB girls returned in triumph to Arklow and enjoyed their customary cavalcade around the town. They were welcomed by their sponsor Arklow Bay Hotel for a meal later that evening in the hotel.

Arklow Team:
Aine O’Reilly, Shauna Devereux, Calvin Swart, Megan Swart, Aife Kavanagh, Clionadh Byrne, Emma Marshall, Erinne Murphy, Beth Murphy, Gemma Doyle, Georgina Canavan, Hannah Tew, Holly O’Brien, Isabella Geoghean, Jessie Hurley, Joy O’Brien, Katie Kindlon, Kayleigh Crammond, Megan O’Brien, Michelle Forde, Naomi Roche, Sinead Arthur, Paula Maher, Shauna Fleming, Vivienne Walsh, Whitney Roche, Lauren Hayden, Chloe Murphy