An Tochar through to Leinster Junior Final

Junior Leinster club championship semi-final An Tóchar: 3-10 St.Michaels(Meath):
1-9

On Sunday last An Tochar gave their best display so far in the
leinster junior championship, the Wicklow side drew on their vast
experience and determination over many years of competing at the
highest level, to recreate what was an electric atmosphere at
the home venue in Roundwood, a couple of years ago they drifted
into the shadows, but on Sunday last they took centre stage and
it was lights and action for the next hour or so as they showed
their true class when they played host to St.Michaels, from the
royal county, in what was truly an exhilarating contest. An Tóchar
were first out of the blocks and had a superb goal from the outstanding
Nicky Dunne after only three minutes. Anne McGillycuddy added
a point from play after a well worked display of football, starting
in the An Tóchar full-back line.

Leinster Junior Finalists 2007 An Tochar

The home side were dominate throughout, with Therese Molloy having
a fine performance in goal. St.Michaels however weren’t about
to lie down and dominated for periods, scoring three points without
reply. It was obvious from early on that An Tochar wing forward
Aimee Byrne was a marked player, but although St. Michaels stuck
to her like velcro she did manage to break free from her marker
to stick the ball in the back of the St.Michaels net. The visitors
kept the pressure on with their county player Gillian Bennett
scoring a magnificent point from a 45 yard free. Along with a
goal from their centre forward. An Tochars Anne McGillycuddy added
another three points before the break, two frees both of which
were won by Nicky Dunne. Only a point separated the sides at the
break and it was all to play for in the second half. An Tóchar’s
character must be remarked upon, their back line of Jackie Power,
Rosie McAuley and Kati Whittingham had the games of their lives,
with good support from Tammy Breen at Full back and Lorna O’Gorman
in the corner. Aimee Byrne was on target early after the restart
adding a point and An Tóchar felt they had a real chance now,
going two points ahead as well as the fact that St.Michaels best
player, Gillian Bennett went off just before the break with a
broken wrist.

St.Michaels kept the pressure on and could answer both of An Tóchar’s
score from McGillycuddy. The turning point came however when Aimee
Byrne was fouled on the forty, she sent a quick ball into Nicky
Dunne who finished to an open net. This left An Tóchar 5 points
up with 12minutes to play. The home side kept their calm and their
heads and never looked like losing at this stage. Nicky Dunne
added a further score and Monica Lynch finished An Tóchar’s scoring
with a point from a free. This team are most certainly a force
to be reckoned with, with Both Jennifer O’Gorman and Aoife Kavanagh
making an impact when they came on. This side must be in with
a shout for a Leinster Championship.

Their opponents in the final will be Foxrock, and the game has
been pencilled in for Sunday the 28th of Oct. The An Tochar team
would like to wish Gillian Bennett a speedy recovery.

An Tochar: Therese Molloy, Lorna O’Gorman, Tammy Breen,Shauna
Kearns,Rosie McAuley, Kati Whittingham, Jackie Nolan, Fiona White,
Mary Brady,Trisha Healy, Aimee Byrne (1-1), Monica Lynch (0-1),
Nicki Dunne (2-1), Marcella Price, Anne McGillycuddy (0-6). Subs:
Jennifer O’Gorman, Aoife Kavanagh (0-1), Darrell McDonnell, Wendy
Byrne.