KILMACUD CROKES LADIES UNDER 14s SEVENS 1st October 2005
A 7am start and a convoy of cars headed for Stillorgan, Dublin for the club’s debut in this prestigious tournament. Check in at 9.45, random birth certificate check completed and we were ready for action. 32 teams from all over Ireland were taking part and we were the sole representatives from County Antrim.
The official programme contained the fixture list and a brief history of each participating team. Our first match was scheduled to start at 11.15 against Cahir from Tipperary. This proved to be a baptism of fire. Cahir u14s won the All Ireland feile held in Tyrone and have been county champions for the past 4 years. They have a very strong squad of athletic talented girls who ended up suffering a cruel defeat in a sudden death play off in the cup semi final. They were simply too strong for St Brigid’s despite our team’s gallant effort in which Kate Finnegan suffered a nasty injury necessitating treatment from St John’s ambulance staff. Naomh O’Hare and Ellen McGrath displayed the never say die attitude for which they are known and every single member of the squad tried her best to stem the tide but to no avail.
Next up at 12.15 was Carnew from County Wexford and playing with a strong breeze in the first half the St Brigid’s girls recovered from the shock of their first match to play some very attractive free flowing football started with a fine point from play by left footed forward Aoife Montague. Within minutes Aoife followed this up with a super goal which inspired the girls from St Brigid’s and we were well and truly “off”. After great possession and support play from all the team Anna Finnegan rattled the net with a second goal for St Brigid’s and confidence was soaring. After the break Carnew staged a concerted fightback with three goals in quick succession. Brilliant defending by Katie Mc Mullan, Catherine McAuley and a battling Kate Finnegan managed to stem the flow of scores before Aoife McCann pushed forward to set up what would prove to be two vital points to give our girls a valiant and well deserved one point victory in a high scoring game: 6-4 to 5-6. Unfortunately Kate Finnegan suffered an aggravation of her first round injury which ruled her out of any further action.
This much needed boost gave the side confidence to take on the might of Ballyboden St Enda’s from Dublin whose record speaks for itself – u14 feile winners 1996,.junior c’ship 1997 and six senior c’ships in a row including 2005! What needs to be said is not only is this team steeped in a history of notable successes but their players, like many of the competing teams, were physically very strong and all were tremendously fit. Allied with superb footballing skills Ballyboden proved too strong for our girls and ran out easy winners after an early power struggle. Rose McKeogh and Hannah McGrath were very prominent in defence and the bravest player in the entire tournament – the one and only Caoimhe Shepherd in goals – saved our blushes on more than one occasion. She might have been one of the smallest participants but she had the biggest heart and she won a lot of fans for her daring and brave exploits and pinpoint kickouts. Her sprints off the goal line towards galloping giant forwards were a sight to behold and each time she outfoxed and outfought her opponent.
By this time our girls were beginning to get respect from opponents by reason of their pride,determination and sporting conduct and neutrals started to voice their support.
That completed the morning’s round robin event and we were now into the play offs for the plate competition against Drumcliffe/Rosses Point, County Sligo. What a battle. Anna Finnegan played her best match ever in the blue and gold to get man of the match. She scored two goals which Peter Canavan would have been proud of and a little cameo of the popularity of our team was the lineman’s jump for joy when we scored our first goal. He was one of the host club’s members and was heard to say afterwards that he found it hard to remain neutral ! Naomh O’Hare and Ellen McGrath gave lungbursting performances at midfield, Aoife McCann switched from forwards to defence to brilliantly manmark Drumcliffe’s best player whilst Katie McMullan, team captain, gave a tremendous display of high fielding. Hannah McGrath came on in the second half to shore up the defence and Catherine McAuley scored a great goal after having her previous effort disallowed for square ball. With the clock ticking down and the match evenly poised Aoife Montague returned to the fray to score a smashing goal after a sublime pass from Anna Finnegan to end any hope of a Drumcliffe victory and St Bridgid’s ended up with a 5 point victory 4-4 to 2-5.
And so to the quarter final stage of the all ireland plate against the mighty Mongahan Harps. Yet another strong physical team with lots of talent and this was a bridge too far for our young , inexperienced team. Yet again Rose McKeogh and Hannah McGrath ran their socks off with Rose making a crucial clearance from deep in defence whilst the award for bravery has to go to Caoimhe Shepherd who literally dived into the opposition and everytime came out with the ball and a big smile to the cheers from the St Brigid’s support and the admiration of all. Caoimhe epitomised the spirit of this squad. Every player dug deep to find the courage to battle on and accepted defeat with dignity and victory with – well – sheer delight! ! !
So 11 hours after leaving home and 5 hours after our first match our weary but happy troops headed to the clubhouse for a well earned meal. Early to bed and the next day was another adventure to the “big house” – Croke Park – where we saw Cork win the All Ireland Senior Ladies and Armagh the Junior title. We even got a run out on the hallowed ground itself amidst the Cork celebrations. A truly memorable weekend.
A big thanks to the club committee members for their support. Warm thanks too to our supporters and parents who travelled – Claire,Patrick and Joseph Finnegan Catherine,Orla( who travelled from Galway) and Caitriona Montague Eugene (PRO Officer) and Jennifer McMullan Sarah McGuckian ,Claire Brennan and Naomh Henvey. Coaches Turlough Montague and Noel McGuckian enjoyed every minute of the day.Noel’s coaching experience was invaluable.Everyone learned a lot, made new friends and contacts and most of all the girls and supporters were great ambassadors for St Brigid’s club. We are in the privileged position of receiving an invite back next year so girls start training now ( no one has an automatic place on this team ) and parents start booking your accommodation because this weekend will rival the school ski trip before long. The one requirement for travelling is that you must bring your good humour -whilst competing well is our aim, fun is paramount.
