Navan O’Mahony’s 3-13 Blackhall Gaels 3-06

In the calm before Storm Agnes arrived, Navan O’Mahony’s qualified for the Junior B FC semi final, played in pleasant conditions in Paddy O’Brien Park on Tuesday evening. 

The game got off to a quick start when Blackhall Gaels took an early lead with a goal within the opening minutes of the game. The umpires were kept busy over the next five minutes or so, when Navan O’Mahony’s launched a blitz attack to propel themselves into a lead.

Navan O’Mahony’s raised a green flag of their own with a goal from Milly Clarke Carolan, adding to an earlier point by Muireann Nelson. By the ninth minute, Navan O’Mahony’s had a seven point lead established, with another goal and points added by Nelson.

By the fifteen minute mark, seven points still separated the sides after a Blackhall Gaels goal. Alison O’Toole and Chloe Duffy added points for Navan O’Mahony’s. The next fifteen minutes saw Blackhall Gaels dominate, kicking a number of points without response.

The gap between the sides had been narrowed to two points deep into injury time when Nelson stood over a free. Making no mistake, this was converted and three points separated the sides at the break.

Navan O’Mahony’s 2-08 Blackhall Gaels 2-05

With a three-point lead to defend, Navan O’Mahony’s needed a big second half performance to secure their place in the semi final. The first score of the half came from Duffy within four minutes, to leave four points between the sides again.

More than ten minutes passed without score from either side, although both sides wasted opportunities. Nelson once again found the net, putting distance between the sides again. This wasn’t to last however, and three minutes later a Blackhall Gaels goal left four in it again. 

A Nelson point from a free put five between the sides and Navan O’Mahony’s looked like they’d hold out once they didn’t concede a goal. A good opportunity for the visitors came in the form of a penalty, but netminder Rebecca Crowley caught the ball and delivered it to safety.

The sides exchanged points in the closing minutes of the game, with Navan O’Mahony’s advancing to play Trim in the semi final in St Lomans Park on Sunday morning.

Navan O’Mahony’s: Rebecca Crowley, Annie Hogan, Aileen Falahee, Alannah Brady, Jorja Keogh, Deirdre Forde, Abbie McCullagh, Caoimhe Cullen, Charlie Murray, Isabel Thorpe, Milly Clarke Carolan (1-0), Alison O’Toole (0-01), Grace Cahill, Muireann Nelson (2-09), Chloe Duffy (0-3)

Subs: Caitlin Ball, Cara Ratty, Ella Nugen, Briannon Ball, Doireann Mellett

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