Michael Lyng Motors Senior Championship 1st Round
Young Irelands 1-14 Windgap 0-15
A fine individual display from county player Steffanie Fitzgerald inspired Young Irelands to a narrow victory over gallant Windgap in Dunnamaggin last Sunday. This was an even contest all through and the Gowran ladies scoring burst in the second quarter which included a crucial goal from Emma Farrell proved vital in the final analysis. Windgap battled to the very end and had a number of half chances for goals been converted in the second half, the outcome could well have been different – and perhaps the greater experience of the Gowran girls made the difference against a youthful Windgap side who have plenty to build on for future years.
Windgap opened this knockout encounter backed by the wind elements and had forged a 0-6 to 0-2 lead inside 13 minutes with most scores coming from frees – Ona Kennedy landed five frees for Windgap to two from Steffanie Fitzgerald for Young Irelands. The score of the match arrived in this spell for Windgap as an excellent passing movement between Caoimhe Power and Rachel O’Meara saw Rachel split the posts to open up the four point lead. All looked good for Windgap at this stage but they were rocked by the concession of a goal after a goalmouth scramble led to an Emma Farrell goal for Young Irelands. Boosted by this score, the winners had the better of the rest of the second quarter outscoring Windgap by 0-4 to 0-1 to open up a 1-7 to 0-7 lead approaching the interval. Windgap did rally for two late points from Ona Kennedy frees but they looked to have a lot to do for the second half with a one point deficit and having to face into the elements for the second period. Half time Young Irelands 1-7 Windgap 0-9.
The opening exchanges in the second period were intense as both sides battled hard to try and stay in this year’s championship and the opening ten minutes saw Young Irelands maintain their one point lead at 1-9 to 0-11 with scores from Steffanie Fitzgerald (two smashing scores from play) being countered by two frees for Windgap from Ciara O’Shea. Windgap had now increased their workrate as had been their trademark this year under James Logue’s stewardship and were now creating more chances particularly with the arrival of Aisling O’Shea to their forward unit. Frustratingly for them, a number of half chances for goals were squandered in the closing quarter as the Young Irelands defence led by Miriam Brennan and Tiffanie Fitzgerald held firm. Windgap managed to close the deficit to the minimum on a number of occasions during the closing quarter but Young Irelands always managed to find pressure relieving scores from Steffanie Fitzgerald and substitute Eilish Keating which was enough to see them through in the end. For Young Irelands, the aforementioned Fitzgerald girls as well as Ciara O’Keeffe and Julie Lennon had strong performances although they will face a tough task against champions Piltown in the quarterfinal next weekend. For Windgap, a case of so near and yet so far in this match but they gave everything to the cause and were best served on the day by Margaret Purcell, Gillian Costello, Caoimhe Power and Rachel O’Meara.
Young Irelands: Hannah Brennan, Mia Murphy, Miriam Brennan, Amy Lennon, Aoife Farrell, Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Eimear Brennan, Jayne Farrell, Ciara O’ Keeffe (0-1), Ciara Byran, Steffanie Fitzgerald (0-10, 6f), Emma Farrell (1-0), Julie Lennon (0-1), Sarah O’ Donnell (0-1), Nessa Farrell. Subs: Ella Middleton, Aoife Naddy, Caoimhe Drennan, Niamh Walsh, Leah Brennan, Doireann Farrell, Eilish Keating (0-1), Sinead Naddy, Lauren Phelan, Aisling Fitzpatrick, Kate Drennan, Lucy Langton, Aisling Rudkins, Aine Delahanty, Caoimhe Fitzgerald, Katie Comerford, Clodagh Farrell, Eimear Naddy, Bronagh O’ Neill, Maria O’ Keeffe, Claire Phelan, Chloe Pitt, Katie Pitt,
Windgap: Joanne Cody, Emer Moylan, Margaret Purcell, Moya Egan, Caoimhe Power, Gillian Costello, Orlaith O’Shea, Nathania Jackson, Ona Kennedy (0-7, 7F), Sarah McCarthy, Ciara O’Shea (0-5, 5F), Cliona O’Shea (0-1), Rachel O’Meara (0-1), Megan Kenneally, Sontae Jackson. Subs: Aisling O’Shea (0-1), Laura Doyle, Denise Foley, Laura Foley, Emer Smith, Ava Lily O’Neill.
Referee: Paul Cahill
By PRO Tue 30th Sep
