U22A Quarter Final
St Brigids 2-9 Windgap 1-10
St Brigids continued their fine end of year from by winning the U22A quarterfinal after a very close fought quarterfinal match away to Windgap last Sunday morning. This win comes shortly after they captured the Junior D Cup and with U22A favourites Dicksboro having fallen to Conahy in another of the U22A quarterfinals, they will feel they now have every chance in this knockout competition when they meet Conahy at home in the semifinal in two weeks time. For Windgap, they looked in danger of a heavy defeat at half way as St Brigids dominated the second quarter but they thundered into this contest in the second half and with a small bit more composure in the final five minutes, they could easily have emerged with the win.
The match was played on a pleasant sunny morning although conditions were heavy for early November and all girls competed furiously and fairly throughout what was a very enjoyable contest which was well marshalled by Maurice Flynn. St Brigids looked the sharper side in the early stages and had opened a 0-2 to 0-0 lead by the 6th minute with points from Reece Delaney and a Tara Cody free. Windgap, with Ciara O’Shea playing well throughout, then rallied to level the scores at 0-3 each after 15 minutes with two frees from Ciara and a good point from play from Eimear Smith. St Brigids however continued to look the better side and they dominated the second quarter with points from Tara Cody (0-2), and Lauren Ronan. This lead was extended when two smart finishes to the net from Lauren Ronan and Siobhan Kenny put real daylight between the teams (2-6 to 0-3) and they seemed set for a comfortable win at this time with many of their players on top of their opponents. A Ciara O’Shea free did reduce the half time margin to 2-6 to 0-4 at the break but Windgap had it all to do at this stage.
The second half saw both sides largely unrecognisable from the end of the opening period as Windgap competed strongly in all areas of the pitch and led by Caoimhe Power, Ona Kennedy and Ciara O’Shea, they proceeded to dominate the third quarter during which they scored 1-4 without reply to reduce the margin to a single point. Their scores came from four Ciara O’Shea frees and a goal from Rachel Doherty in the 38th minute after an excellent move between Megan Kenneally and Aisling O’Shea saw Aisling’s shot saved by St Brigids keeper Katie Ronan before Rachel finished the rebound to the net. The game was very much in the balance at this time and when two further Ciara O’Shea frees drew Windgap level 1-10 to 2-7 in the 51st minute, they looked the more likely winners. St Brigids were struggling to make headway throughout this half and were indebted to a fine save by keeper Katie Ronan from Aisling O’Shea to avoid falling behind – but they did rally well in the closing minutes to get two scores from Tara Cody which saw them emerge as narrow winners after a fine contest.
St Brigids: .Katie Ronan, Roisin Foley, Moya O’Brien, Georgina Casey, Lauren East, Ava Brett, Chloe Teehan, Tara Cody, Claire Doheny, Ruth Purcell, Reece Delaney, Molly Conroy, Leah Brett, Lauren Ronan, Siobhan Kenny. Subs: Maggie Maher, Ella Cody, Nicola Kenny, Kate Purcell.
Windgap: Emer Barron, Laura Doyle, Moya Egan, Ava Lily O’Neill, Caoimhe Power, Ona Kennedy, Orlaith O’Shea, Cliona O’Shea, Ciara O’Shea, Rachel Doherty, Denise Foley, Megan Kenneally, Alaina O’Shea, Eimear Smith, Aisling O’Shea. Subs Cathy Power, Tamara Whelan.
Referee: Maurice Flynn.
By PRO Wed 12th Nov
