Minor County Finals: Division 1A played in Hawkfield Sat 15/11/14
Referee Brendan Hickey.
St. Laurences 2-6 Sarsfields 1-9
These teams had met over the years with the county title going back and forth between the two clubs so everybody expected a close final. From the off the Sash and the Larries battled for the upper hand but a contentious spell of ten minutes had the Sash drawing the first score courtesy of an Emily Aulsberry free. Megan Grufferty replied with a well-taken point from the Larries. The resulting kick out from Karla O'Reilly put in the tireless Anna Lawless who played in Orlagh Judge a neat link up with Ciara Morris saw Laura Scales capitulate with a point from play. The Sash had taken the lead brilliant saves by Karla O'Reilly and dogged defending by Emma Lyons, Jessica Nolan and Kate Beth Symonds made Ciara Wheeler, Cheyanne Holmes and Roisin Crowe work even harder for the Larries. The Sarsfields halfback line of Brooke Dunne, Gemma Hartnett and Anna Lawless worked like trojans blocking, intercepting and breaking down the Laurences play with great support from Danielle Clerkin and Molly Price. The over exuberance of one of the Sash girls had her sin binned and the Sash buckling down to prevent St Laurences making the most of an extra player on the pitch, which they did as Ciara Wheeler pointed from play. The Sash's Danielle Clerkin pulled off a mighty block gaining the lose ball she played in Brooke Dunne with Ciara Morris running the overlap the ball was taken forwards with Rebecca Houlihan making the point from play. An interception by Gemma Hartnett resulted in Emily Aulsberry getting her first point from play. Another interception this time from Danielle Clerkin saw Orlagh Judge rocket the ball off the crossbar the Larries took the ricochet and worked it down the field with Roisin Crowe getting on the score sheet. Despite constant supply the Sash forwards couldn't break through the Larries backline who were well marshalled by Elaine Marron, so the Larries Ciara Wheeler took the last kick off the game to level the score to 0-4 a piece at half time.
At half time the crowd mingled and the resulting verdict from both sides was that it was anybody's game. St. Laurences won the throw in but intense Sarsfields pressure and the dominance of Ciara Morris and Anna Lawless soon had them two clear points ahead. Then came the Larries turning point a soft penalty was tucked away by Myra O'Reilly, the Sash girls seemed to lose concentration for the next few minutes and the Larries scored another point. With young starlet Orlaith Taylor coming in to the Sash defence the tide changed, Brooke Dunne intercepted a Larries pass laying it off to Gemma Hartnett she found Emily Aulsberry who pointed her resulting free. The Larries took to their heels and pounded the Sash defence resulting in a mistake giving rise to the second Larries goal this time from Roisin Crowe. The Sarsfields didn't buckle, with Ciara Morris picking up a lose ball and playing it into Rebecca Houlihan who was fouled the resulting free had both sides scrambling but Shauna Kendrick managed to latch on and point the ball. Again the action went end to end, Niamh O'Connor ran through strongly and set Ciara Wheeler up for the Larries last score of the game. Ten minutes to go and another Sash girl was put to the line, with only 14 players on the pitch and a deficit of 4 points, the Sarsfields management pulled a genius coaching move; by pushing the half back line of Gemma Hartnett, Anna Lawless and Brooke Dunne into the Larries half the Sash girls closed down the pitch. Brooke Dunne intercepted the next Larries kick out and played Rebecca Houlihan into score a goal, with seconds left on the clock and a point adrift Brooke Dunne won the resulting Larries kick out, Laura Scales took the ball on from her, a quick hand pass to Emily Aulsberry had her playing in Shauna Kendrick to tie the game. The final whistle sounded with the girls having to face each other again next Saturday.
Minor ladies div 2 final
Suncroft v Kill Div 2B County Finals 15th November 2014
Suncroft met Kill this afternoon in beautiful autumn sunshine in the Div 2B final in Hawkfield.With all the rain that had fallen over the past few days it is a credit to the grounds staff in Hawkfield for having the pitches in great shape. Suncroft started swiftly with the opening score from Ellen Dowling which came from an accurate pass from Becky Johnson,the Kill goalie Hayley Nolan had little chance of stopping this ball that landed in the back of the net.
Soon after a sideline ball was intercepted by Carla Ennis,delivered to Becky Johnson who duly found Ellen Dowling and for the 2nd time blasted the ball pass Hayley Nolan kicking this time with her right foot.
Kills Lydia Furey was showing her strength and skill as she got the ball into their forward line but Suncrofts Niamh Bolger was right on form and cleared the ball on many occasions.The Croft went further ahead with points from Nicole Dooley (2) and Ellen Dowling (1)
Kill were fighting hard and Jade Carter managed to find the back of the Crofts net leaving no chance for the Croft goalie Marie Murphy.
There was a great flow of passing down the pitch and Kills Caoimhe Broderick had a shot which dropped into the safe hands of Marie Murphy.Murphys kick outs were accurate finding the Red and Green jersey at all times.
Sophie Hobbs floated a ball from out the field which found its way over the Kill keeper into the back of the net,Sophie followed this goal with a point. Leaving the halftime score
Suncroft 3-07 Kill 1-02
With the second half started Suncrofts Ellen Dowling scored a great point but it wasn't long after Kills Eimear Broderick replied with two points.Kill were now coming back into the game and Caoimhe Brady found the back of the Croft net.
This second half was showing the girls were tired but Suncroft still had a lot of fight and this resulted in further points from Nicole Dooley(2) Risa Ennis (1) and Becky Johnson(1)
Full time score 3-14 to 2-04
Great displays of skill were seen today with accurate passing from Becky Johnson and Eve Kehoe and this flowed throughout the game with Sarah Browne,Jenna Brannock ,Carla Ennis,Anna O'Modhrain and Kirsten Dooley doing a great job in defense. Abbie Poole and Eve Kehoe were solid and were ready for anything.Emma Hughes and Rosin Bolger were both very strong in the forward line.Michaela Kinsella came on for Roisin Bolger at half time and also was very strong in the game,
Congratulations to there Management team and a special thanks to Sandra Johnson who without her none of this would have been possible.Thanks to the Parents and supporters for coming out today.
Well done to Kill ,who never gave up and showed great determination throughout the game.
Results.
Div 4A Kilcock 2.06 Ballymore 2.01
Div 2B Suncroft 3.14 Kill 2.04
Div 2A Celbridge 2.14 Monasterevan 3.07
Div 1B Maynooth 2.09 Balyna?Carbury 2.06
Div 1A St Laurences 2.06 Sarsfields 1.09