St Canices Credit Union U16C League Final
St Lachtains 5-7 Mullinavat 3-11
The bank holiday Monday in August saw the last of the U16 league finals played in Freshford and after all the dry weather, most of this match ended up being played during periods of rain which made for difficult conditions for all involved. However, to both sides credit, this was a high quality and hugely competitive match where both sides had periods of dominance and the result was very much in the balance when referee Frank Murphy called full time. The match could very easily have gone the way of Mullinavat and St Lachtains just made it in part due to their greater ability to get goals at key times.
Both sides tore into the action from the off and Mullinavat did edge the opening ten minutes after which they led by 0-4 to 0-2 with scores from Orla Fitzpatrick, Eloise Madigan and two frees from Megan Walsh. Gradually, St Lachtains worked their way into the contest and they were boosted by a fine goal from the impressive Olivia Marnell in the 15th minute. Mullinavat were undeterred and boosted by an Orla Fitzpatrick goal in the 22nd minute, they had built up a useful 1-7 to 1-4 lead approaching half time only for St Lachtains Lucy Dalton to finish to the net to level the match at 2-4 to 1-7 at the break.
Despite the heavy underfoot conditions, both sides continued to display high fitness and skills levels as play resumed and the opening ten minutes saw the side trade goals – firstly from Mullinavat’s Emma Dempsey only for the increasingly prominent Kate Dalton to level the contest with a goal in the 40th minute. A further goal from a long range free by Olivia Marnell saw St Lachtains lead for the first time but two points from Orla Fitzpatrick (1 free) reduced the margin to 4-4 to 2-9 by the 45th minute. St Lachtains then enjoyed a period of dominance driven on by Nessa Gibbons, Eimear Murphy and Kate Dalton and this saw them score an unanswered 1-2 between the 45th and 55th minutes (the goal from Keelin Walsh) – and looked set for a comfortable win when they led 5-7 to 2-9 at this time. However, Mullinavat fought hard to the finish and after two pointed frees by Orla Fitzpatrick, a goal from Aisling Fitzpatrick brought the margin back to two points – but time ran out as they fought to the end for a winning goal. In summary, an excellent contest between two fine teams who will be strong contenders for the U16 championship later this year.
St Lachtains: Maddison Walsh, Roisin Hickey, Nessa Gibbons, Caoimhe Butler, Niamh Butler, Eimear Murphy, Caoileann O Rourke, Abigail O Kane, Kate Walsh, Kate Hickey, Kate Dalton, Chloe Gleeson, Keelin Walsh, Olivia Marnell, Lucy Dalton. Subs: Isabel Carroll, Lola Boyle, Faith Long, Eimear O Connor, Aoibh Carroll, Cera Gibbons.
Mullinavat: Joanne Walsh, Kate Rohan, Laura Aylward, Sile Butler, Lucy Aylward, Rebecca Murphy, Roisin Aylward, Megan Walsh, Anna Shefflin, Lauren Conway, Emma Dempsey, Eloise Madigan, Aisling Fitzpatrick, Orla Fitzpatrick, Isabelle Madigan. Subs: Emma Walsh, Eve Madgian, Shannon Murphy, Bria Wall, Ellie Mae Aylward, Hannah Hogan, Daisy Bland, Maya Sutton, Lauryn Dungan.
Referee: Frank Murphy.
By PRO Tue 4th Aug
