Report by Naomi Ryder

Wicklow's rising stars were out in force at the weekend with a blitz in Wicklow for the U10 girls and a blitz in Shilelagh for the U10 and U8 boys.

AGB's U10 girls travelled to Wicklow on Saturday the 12th for their 2nd County Blitz this year. The team was a mixture of U9 and U10 with all 13 girls getting loads of football with 4 games against St Pats, Carnew, Baltinglass and An Tochar.

AGB's first match was against St Pats where they laid down the marker scoring an impressive 5-7, with the defence in flying form keeping a clean sheet. Whilst the scoreline suggested AGB had an easy game it was not the case. The girls had to work very hard as a team for each score. The girls looked impressive from the throw in with a cracking score from Grainne Flynn followed by three fine goals from Tegan Doyle. The entire squad played their part in this impressive win however Tegan Doyle, Aine Ni Choncuir, Grainne Flynn and Jodie Weldon stood out in this game for the Gers.

Next up was Carnew, the girls already had gained loads of confidence from their opening game. In this game the U9 girls of Hannah Salley, Zara Fennel and Emma Nolan took control of midfield and set in great ball to AGB forwards. Grace Furlong was unstoppable in the forwards with 2 craicing goals and a couple of superb points. Our young guns of Emma Nolan, Paige O'Toole, Shannon Kinsella, Elizabeth Bourke, Hannah Salley, Zara Fennell and Susie Murphy stood out in this game where AGB finished with an impressive 3-5 to 1.0

Next up was Baltinglass .The girls again started brightly and were showing great determination as they attacked each ball and played some lovely football. AGB backs were working hard in this match with Eimear Cullen cleaning up in the back line. Baltinglass then scored 2 late goals. However, AGB were well on top at this stage, winning 6-2 to 2 goals. Best for AGB were Eimear Cullen, Susie Murphy, Tegan Doyle and Grace Furlong.

AGB last game was against An Tochar. The girls finished just as they had started with a great team effort. Despite tired legs AGB continued to dominate play with some lovely passing and scoring. An Tochar made our back line work hard. However, Eimear Cullen, Grainne Flynn and Elizabeth Bourke were in great form. Roundwood managed to break through the defence with 2 cracking goals but again, at this stage, the game was well over with AGB scoring an impressive 5-3. Emma Nolan, Grainne Flynn, Aine Ni Choncuir and Jodie Weldon stood out for the Gers in this game.

All in all a great morning of football from the entire team with the girls registering an impressive 19 goals and 17 points and only conceding 5 goals. The panel on the day was Tegan Doyle, Aine Ni Choncuir, Grainne Flynn, Grace Furlong, Emma Nolan, Jodie Weldon, Susie Murphy, Eimear Cullen, Elizabeth Bourke, Paige O'Toole, Shannon Kinsella, Hannah Salley, Zara Fennell. Big thanks to Terry Canavan and St. Pats for organising a well run blitz.

The majority of those playing on Saturday, with the addition of Abi Whelan, played their third Wexford league match on Sunday morning. With tired legs the girls took the first half to get settled into the game and were trailing 2 points to 6 points at half-time. The second half saw AGB wake up and register 2 fine goals and 4 more points however time ran out and the slow performance in the first half cost the girls the game with Kilanerin finishing out on top 2-10 to 2-6. These games in the Wexford league are testing the girls. They are gaining valuable experience as they have to toughen up as opposition aren't afraid to get stuck in with some strong tackling.

Next up for the girls is the Seabreeze Festival of football for our U8/U10 girls. Teams from Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow will descend on Pearse Park on Saturday morning, the 19th of July, which promises to be a great morning of football. Registration for teams is at 9.30am with the first game starting at 10am. Training this week continues on Friday from 6pm-7.30pm.

The AGB U8 and U10 boys travelled to Shillelagh for their blitz on Saturday also. The boys played against Coolkenno, Annacurra and Shillelagh. The boys have played in a few blitz' already this year and their skill levels and confidence is clearly growing with every match. There was some cracking football played by all the boys and some very fine football skills on display. Thanks to Shillelagh for yet another well organised Blitz. Training resumes for the U10 boys on Wednesday evenings at 7pm in Pearse Park and on Saturdays at 11:15am. Training for the U8 boys is on Saturday mornings at 11am in Pearse Park juvenile pitch.

Congratulations to all players on their great effort and performance. Thanks to the parents who travelled and supported the children from the side line. Tweet

Most Read Stories