Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel Junior County Final
Emeralds 3-3 John Lockes 2-4
By Aoife Lanigan, PRO
Emeralds are Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel Junior County Champions, 21 years after they last won it, when they defeated John Lockes in Canon Kearns Park, Castlecomer last Sunday
Anne Dalton opened the scoring for Emeralds with a point from play in the first minute. Ruth Ryan then got onto a blocked Anne Dalton’s shot and rattled the John Lockes’ net
Rachel Phelan scored John Lockes opening point in the 14th minute after she burst pass three Emerald defenders and split the posts. It looked like John Lockes were starting to settle into the match
They cleared the sliotar from defence, but is fell kindly for the hardworking Anne Dalton and she looked up and found an unmarked Laura Kavanagh and she hit a rasper passed the John Lockes goalie
Over the reminder of the half, both teams tried to add to their tallies, but defences stood strong. The half time score was 2-1 to 0-1 in favour of Emeralds
On the resumption of play, John Lockes came out with all guns blazing. Aisling O’Sullivan converted a 20m free over the bar after Caoimhe Kelly was fouled
John Lockes midfielder Laura Phelan then added another point. Anne Dalton slotted over a free for Emeralds to them five points ahead
In the 45th minute, Caoimhe Kelly hit the sliotar towards the Emeralds goal, Aisling O’Sullivan fielded it, turned and she rattled the back of the net. Then Laura Phelan scored a great point out near the sideline to put just a point in it, Game On
John Lockes were awarded a 30m free in the 53rd minute, Aisling O’Sullivan stood over it and she hit a bullet passed everyone into the back of the net to put John Lockes two ahead
Reeling after conceding a goal and now two points down, Emeralds went straight on the attack from the puckout and two of the Kavanagh’s (Aoife & Emily) combined with Aoife slotting the sliotar passed the advancing goalie to the back of the net
Anne Dalton then sent over a great point to put Emeralds ahead by two
Referee blew the full time whistle and Emeralds were Champions
Scorers – Emeralds – Ruth Ryan, Laura Kavanagh, Aoife Kavanagh 1-0 each, Anne Dalton 0-3 (1f)
John Lockes – Aisling O’Sullivan 2-1 (1-1f), Laura Phelan 0-2, Rachel Phelan 0-1
Emeralds – Siobhan O’Hara (Captain), Jessie Newman, Niamh Leahy, Saoirse Bourke, Eimear Leahy, Davina Tobin, Lucy Kavanagh, Aoife Kavanagh, Mary Cussen, Ruth Ryan, Emily Kavanagh, Anne Dalton, Emma Kenny, Laura Kavanagh, Roisin Ahern
Subs – Lily Cleere for Laura Kavanagh, Rachel Phelan for Emma Kenny, Louise Hickey for Roisin Ahern
John Lockes – Maria Ryan, Sal Ryan, Rachel Hartley, Farrah Ryan, Erin Morrissey, Meg Ryan (Captain), Sarah Keher, Lizzy Keher, Laura Phelan, Chloe Donovan, Rachel Phelan, Aisling O’Sullivan, Emily Phelan, Sarah Roche, Caoimhe Kelly
Subs – Aine Dowling for Erin Morrissey, Leah O’Donovan for Sarah Roche
