Windgap 2-12 James Stephens 1-6
Windgap started their 2026 senior championship campaign with an excellent win away to James Stephens in Kells Road last Sunday morning. This was a ferociously fought match from start to finish with very little between the teams for long spells; indeed when Sophie O’Dwyer goaled for James Stephens from a 21 yard free in the 55th minute, it reduced the margin to 1-8 to 1-6 and a grandstand finish seemed in store. Windgap however finished strongly, scoring 1-4 without reply in the closing minutes to record a deserved win although the margin of victory was harsh on the James Stephens girls who more than matched their opponents for almost the entirety of the match.
The opening half saw plenty of committed play from both sides and defences largely on top for large parts of this period. This half saw commanding displays by both goalkeepers – Windgap’s Ali Kennedy made a welcome return from injury and was commanding in the Windgap goal while Tara Murphy made a number of fine saves for the village girls during this half. In defence, Michelle Teehan led the James Stephens rearguard by repelling many attacks while the Windgap defence led by Margaret Purcell at full back all defended well throughout. This made for a low scoring opening half which Windgap shaded on the scoreboard by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break with six of the ten scores coming from placed balls (Ciara O’Shea 0-3 frees for Windgap) and Caoimhe Moran (0-3 frees for James Stephens). Windgap, who were never led in this match, would have been slightly the happier at the break given that they had faced into the slight breeze for the opening half but James Stephens were more than in this contest despite the unfortunate absence of county star Niamh Deely through injury.
While the second half saw both sides continue to contest each ball as robustly as possible, it did see the match open up more on the scoreboard – and while James Stephens did reduce the deficit to the minimum with a quick point from Laura Leahy, Windgap replied with a Ciara O’Shea point and moments later, a fine run by Ciara saw her place Molly Walsh to power an unstoppable shot to the James Stephens net to open up a 1-6 to 0-4 lead. Windgap continued to shade proceedings for the next fifteen minutes after which they led by 1-8 to 0-5 with strong performances from Ciara O’Shea, Caoimhe Power, Rachel O’Meara and Gillian Costello in this period. James Stephens however were far from finished and a pointed free by Sophie O’Dwyer followed by a goal from a free put the match back in the melting pot. Windgap will be pleased with the reaction to this goal as they responded with points from Aisling O’Shea, Ciara O’Shea (2), Rachel O’Meara and a late goal from Megan Kenneally. Overall, a hugely competitive match between two very committed teams to start off their senior championship campaigns and both now move on to week two matches next weekend.
James Stephens: Tara Murphy, Lucy Lennon, Cady Boyle, Hannah Larkin, Molly Burke, Michelle Teehan, Emily Lahoff, Emily Smith, Anna Doheny, Tara McGuire, Lucy Coomey (0-1), Sophie O’Dwyer (1-1, frees), Laura Leahy (0-1), Aoife Cantwell, Caoimhe Moran (0-3 frees). Subs: Jenna Larkin, Anna Bergin, Keri Hennessy, Caoimhe Egan, Alice Quinn, Maura Barton, Daisy Coomey, Niamh Moore, Ciara McDonald.
Windgap: Ali Kennedy, Sophie McGowan, Margaret Purcell, Emer Moylan, Caoimhe Power, Ona Kennedy, Moya Egan, Gillian Costello, Orlaith O’Shea, Molly Walsh (1-1), Ciara O’Shea (0-7, 0-5 frees), Sarah McCarthy, Rachel O’Meara (0-3), Megan Kenneally (1-0), Aisling O’Shea (0-1). Subs: Laura Doyle, Ava Lily O’Neill, Niamh Bambrick, Emer Barron, Lucy Crowley, Elena Saunders, Sarah Power, Eimear Simth, Abbie Vaughan, Ava Phelan.
Referee: Stephen Delaney
By PRO Thu 20th Aug
