Ladies: great win for Simonstown U16's
April 20, 2015
Clann na nGael 5-10
Simonstown 5-14
In a high scoring encounter it was the visiting Navan girls who eventually seen off a spirited Clann na nGael team in Athboy in this Round 4 U-16 Championship match.
For players and onlookers this was a most enjoyable affair with the result in doubt up to the final moments when late scores won the day for Simonstown. Points from Sinead Mooney, Lauryn Grier and Tara Berigan in the opening seven minutes got the blues off to a good start but by the tenth minute Nicole Kelly and Mary Smyth had points on the board for the locals. Further points were traded before a good move involving Matilda Ryan resulted in Grier striking the first of the evening's ten goals. Niamh Donnelly and Aoife Farrell added points before a fourth point was registered by the Gael's. Berigan was next to find the net with a well placed finish with Mollie Byrne and Berigan again raising white flag's. Clann na nGael were not for lying down and after a couple of let offs the Simonstown rear guard was breached for a goal and then a point. Laura Barrett was as assured as ever at fullback and with Siobhan Shalvey and Amy Farrell working hard in the corner back positions it seemed like the visitor's had weathered the storm. Half backs Leanne Harris, Niamh Hand and Meabh Hanrahan were now picking up a lot of ball and with Niamh Cassidy performing some great high catching at midfield Simonstown looked good value for their interval lead of 2-8 to 1-6.
With ten minutes gone in the second half it looked like the blues were going to pull away with Berigan scoring another goal and Grier a goal and a point. However for the next 10 minutes it was the hosts who had most of the scores rattling off four goal and three points to Simonstown's three points. Incredibly the side's were level with five minutes remaining, another point for the Clanns - what a comeback! It was now Simonstown had to draw on their experience and a well delivered kick out by Michelle Smyth started a move that finished in the inspired Berigan scoring a wonder goal having soloed from sixty metres out and firing to the top corner of the net. Following that score great defending by Alana Lyons led to a turnover of possession, the ball ended up in with Niamh Hand on the edge of the square and she having been set up by Megan Gorman wisely decided to take her point. Another point followed by Hand, this being the last point of a thrilling match.
Simonstown: M. Smyth, S. Shalvey, L. Barrett, Amy Farrell, M. Hanrahan, N. Hand, L. Harris, N. Donnelly, N. Cassidy, M. Byrne, L. Grier, Aoife Farrell, S. Mooney, T. Berigan, M. Ryan, M. Gorman, A. Lyons, S. Rennicks.
