Gaeltec U14A County Final
Erin’s Own 2-7 James Stephens 0-8
Two crucial goals (one in either half) from midfielder Sarah O’Neill proved the difference in this hotly contested U14A championship final in Palmerstown last Saturday afternoon. The combination of recent rain and a strong wind made for heavier conditions and contributed to a relatively low scoring encounter but these two sides who have been fancied to make this U14A final since the start of the year gave their all in a fierce battle which was nip and tuck all through – and Sarah O’Neill’s second goal towards the end of normal time ultimately gave Erins Own an advantage they held to the finish.
The exchanges were intense from the off in this final with both sides battling hard for every advantage and it took until the 6th minute for the opening score to arrive from Molly Ann Phelan for James Stephens. The village girls did shade the opening ten minutes but found the Erins Own defence led by Kate Mullins very difficult to penetrate. Erins Own, who were seeking their second successive U14A crown, did settle and had the better of the next 15 minutes –and this purple patch saw them score 1-4 to just a solitary point for James Stephens; this included three frees from Ciara Maguire and 1-1 from Sararch O’Neill with her goal being a fine finish to the net in the 24th minute. All looked good for the Comer girls at this point although James Stephens did rally with two Molly Dunne points from frees for James Stephens in first half stoppage time to reduce the half time deficit to Erins Own 1-4 James Stephens 0-4.
James Stephens started the second half knowing that improvements were needed to get control of the match and for the opening twenty minutes of this half, they largely dominated the contest with their superior physical strength starting to influence proceedings. Scores were slow to come for them although two pointed frees from Molly Dunne (one from a penalty in the 36th minute) and a point from play from Emma Larkin in the 47th minute drew them level by the 45th minute. Erins Own were under pressure to get the ball past midfield at this time but crucially never went behind during this period. The sides traded points from Eilis Bollard (EO) and Molly Dunne (free) (JS) to keep the sides level as we entered the final five minutes. A vital point from play by Zara Renwick who was bravely playing the match with an injury put Erins Own back in front at this time and a follow up score by Katie Mullins three minutes later gave them a two point advantage. It was still all to play for as we headed into stoppage time but a late Sarah O’Neill goal for Erins Own saw them emerge with a somewhat flattering five point advantage by the time referee Julian Dwyer sounded the final whistle. For Erins Own, this caps a remarkable two years at U14 level and this added to other successful teams at U16 level suggests a bright future for the club with this group of players. For James Stephens, this was a match that could have been won had a few breaks gone their way but they too have a bright future with this panel of players who have performed at a very high level throughout this year.
Erins Own: Amy Buggy, Molly Ryan Walsh, Heidi Buggy, Ellie Brennan, Lilly Dunne, Katie Mullins, Abigail Daly, Sarah O’Gorman, Sarah O’Neill, Eimear Brennan, Ciara Maguire, Zara Renwick, Doireann Byrne, Eilis Bollard, Mairead Ring. Subs: Ella Clancy, Sarah Phelan, Amy Brennan, Anna Dunne, Roisin Brennan, Eimear O’Neill, Chloe Brennan, Taunya Mayo, Zoe Brennan, Zara Roche, Isibeal Owens, Liliana Wernicka, Niamh Whelan, Freya Coogan, Beatrice Meally, Aine O’Neill, Hannah O’Shea, Rachel Owens.
James Stephens: Mia Holden, Emma Lennon, Hannah Purcell, Mary Kate Parsons, Ellie Larkin, Molly Ann Phelan, Jasmine Timmons McEnaney, Molly Dunne, Ria Quinn, Brook Quirke, Ali McDonald, Abbie Minogue Lee, Katie Jane Murphy, Emma Larkin, Grace Manuel. Subs: Caoimhe Quinn, Julie Ann Fitzpatrick, Katie Marie Murphy, Holly Kelly, Sarah Mulhall, Emly Quinn, Maya Prior.
Referee: Julian Dwyer
By PRO Thu 9th Oct
