Erins Own 6-15 O’Loughlin Gaels 4-5
Erins Own emerged as comfortable winners of this U16B league final played in pleasant sunny conditions in St Johns Park on Thursday21st August. The completion of this delayed league final has completed the U16 summer leagues and the Castlecomer girls (who have been elevated to take part in the U16A championship) displayed good superior skill levels and teamwork after a very even opening twenty minutes to claim a deserved win against an O’Loughlin Gaels side who competed well for long periods.
O’Loughlin Gaels opened backed by the slight elements and got off to a fast start with a good point from play by Grace Roberts. The exchanges were frantic at this stage as both sides fought for supremacy and Erins Own’s first meaningful attack in the 6th minute led to a smart finish to the net by captain Saibhe Walker. Undeterred, O’Loughlin Gaels rallied with a fine goal of their own from Lauren Daly soon afterwards and both sides exchanged further goals from Sarah O’Gorman (EO) and Grace Roberts (OL) to leave the score at Erins Own 2-4 O’Loughlin Gaels 2-1 by the 20th minute. Erins Own then proceeded to take command of the match and they rattled off a further 1-6 without reply in the closing minutes of the first half to put real daylight between the teams. This scoring burst included points from frees by the accurate Megan Harding, a point from play by Katie Harnett and a further fine goal from play by Sarah O’Gorman.
This scoring burst before the break seemed to take the life out of the contest as the second half failed to match the first half in terms of the intensity of the contest. Erins Own continued to press home their advantage in the opening minutes of the second half with points from Zara Renwick, Megan Harding and a further goal from Saibhe Walker in the 40th minute stretched their lead still further. The closing quarter of this match saw Erins Own add further scores from Zara Renwick and a further Saibhe Walker goal but O’Loughlin Gaels did produce a late rally which yielded consolation goals from Lauren Daly and Lucy Hogan. Overall, this was an impressive display from the Erins Own girls to add the U16B league title to the U16F title won a few weeks earlier and while they will face sterner tests in the U16A championship, they are well capable of matching any sides going forward if they can maintain their current form. O’Loughlin Gaels were well served on the night by Elizabeth Sida and Grace Roberts and they will hope to continue the fine form shown in making it to this league final in the U16B championship which is already underway.
Erins Own: Aimee Renwick, Eva Madden (0-1), Ellis Bollard, Eva Roche, Caoimhe Daly, Sarah Buggy, Ellie Roche, Lucy O’Gorman, Katie Harnett (0-1), Katie Mullins, Megan Harding (0-10, 6F), Grainne Meagher, Sarah O’Gorman (3-2), Saibhe Walker (C) (3-0), Zara Renwick (0-2). Subs: Aoibheann Brennan, Ellie Mae Sheil, Abbey Flanagan, Muireann Meagher, Lilly Dunne, Sarah O’Neill, Holly Abbott, Ellen Comerford, Rionach Young, Aibhe Owens, Aisling Phelan.
O’Loughlin Gaels: Ruby Hogan, Anna Ryan, Amber Hogan (Capt.), Erin Hanrahan, Muireann Greene, Julia Adamczyk, Lily Kinchella, Elizabeth Sida (0-2), Faye Brett, Sarah Johnson, Grace Roberts (1-3), Eve Kinchella, Lucy Hogan (1-0), Eabha Hanrahan, Lauren Daly (1-1). Subs: Ellen Gault, Stephanie Cooney, Clara Cooney, Sophie Wall, Beth Dowling-Holohan, Liadan Blanche, Chloe Collins, Emily Knox, Rachel Kavanagh, Annie Rochford, Kaysie O’Neill Rodgers, Ali Dowling, Millie Hendra, Willow Carter, Sadie Kinchella, Millie Lennon, Leah Tyrrell, Aine Morgan, Chiara Di Florio, Ava McGuirk, Melissa Martins, Rachel Kavanagh, Kate Skehan, Pippa Gault, Sarah Ryan, Eve Brennan, Ruth O’Brien.
Referee: Ciara Murphy
By PRO Wed 27th Aug
