John Lockes 1-13 Windgap 2-9
Near Neighbours Windgap and John Lockes served up a keenly fought Minor A semi-final in Callan on Tuesday evening 2nd September. This was a match where there was rarely more than a score between both sides and while John Lockes probably shaded the match for longer periods, brave Windgap could easily have forced extra time in a frantic finale before referee Stephen Delaney sounded the full time whistle.
Having won the Minor A league final and a championship quarterfinal a week earlier, the 2024 champions Windgap started this match on the front foot with county players Caoimhe Power and Aisling O’Shea impressing in the opening ten minutes. They did lead 0-4 to 0-1 by the 15th minute with scores from three Ciara O’Shea frees and a point from Aisling O’Shea to just a lone reply from Emily Phelan for John Lockes. The Callan girls then thundered into the contest in the second quarter as their own county girls Rachel Phelan, Emily Phelan and Aisling O’Sullivan started to dictate proceedings. They had reduced the deficit to the minimum by the 20th minute with scores from Emily Phelan and Caoimhe Kelly which was replied to by Aisling O’Shea but the Callan momentum seemed to stall when a long Ona Kennedy free in the 23rd minute ended up in the Callan net to push Windgap 1-5 to 0-4 ahead. However, the John Lockes girls continued to take a grip on proceedings from here to half time at which stage they had levelled the contest at 1-5 to 0-8. Indeed the Callan girls will have felt they should have been ahead at half time as they had seven wides to Windgap’s one in this half and they struck the post just before half time when a goal seemed a certainty.
Windgap steadied the Callan momentum after the half time break with Moya Egan, Laura Doyle and Ona Kennedy defending well as we headed into the third quarter. They had opened up a three point lead 1-8 to 0-8 by the 45th minute thanks to an Aisling O’Shea point and two frees from Ciara O’Shea. John Lockes then received a huge boost when Emily Phelan finished to the net after a fine run and further points from Rachel Phelan (2) and Aisling O’Sullivan opened up a four point lead (1-13 to 1-9) as we headed into the last five minutes. Windgap battled to the end and a tight finish was in store when Ona Kennedy found the net from a 58th minute penalty after a foul on Ciara O’Shea. They pushed hard for an equalising score and only a fine save by goalkeeper Ali Audoire from Ciara O’Shea stopped them retaking the lead but it wasn’t to be for them in the frantic closing minutes. So John Lockes progress to another Minor A final and they will be a strong contender for the Minor A title if they can continue to get good performances from goalkeeper Ali Audoire, Robyn Corcoran, Emily and Rachel Phelan amongst others. For Windgap with five U15 girls acquitting themselves well, it wasn’t to be on the night but they gave everything to the cause which was a source of pride to all of their supporters.
Teams: John Lockes: Ali Audoire, Chloe Tennyson, Robyn Corcoran, Maria Ryan, Eadaoin Lynch, Abi Bryan, Farrah Ryan-Burke, Sarah Keher, Rachel Phelan, Aoibhne Corcoran, Aisling O’Sullivan, Emily Phelan, Ruth O’Sullivan, Leah O’Donovan, Caoimhe Kelly. Subs: Meabh Moran, Eva Roche, Ava Roche, Isabelle Norris.
Windgap: Naveah Drennan, Abbie Vaughan, Moya Egan, Lucy Crowley, Laura Doyle (C), Ona Kennedy, Ellie Power, Caoimhe Power, Shonna King, Cathy Power, Ciara O’Shea , Ava Phelan, Kate O’Brien, Aisling O’Shea, Alaina O’Shea. Subs: Elena Saunders, Sarah Power.
Referee: Stephen Delaney.
By PRO Thu 4th Sep
