ST BRIGID’S 3-10 ST GALL’S 6-10
What better way to spend a balmy Tuesday evening than enjoying a ladies match in the fastest growing sport in Ireland! The Minor Ladies played their first league game of the season at home to St Gall’s and both teams provided an entertaining, high scoring spectacle in which the home side dominated play but failed to convert their many scoring chances unlike the visitors who scored 5 goals in the first half despite a brave display by debutante goalie, Claire, who has just joined the club this season and shows great promise both as a goalkeeper and corner back.
Despite the defeat St Brigid’s players really enjoyed the game and although rueful about their misses, came away with great hope for the future. After all they still managed to score a very impressive 3-10.
Although missing key players including Catherine O’Neill, Sophie Curran and Aoife McSherry due to exam committments, this young side showed immense character and determination as well as considerable skill in a keenly contested encounter.
Katie McMullan was player of the match with a stellar performance at full back in her duel with St Gall’s mercurial Merissa McGourty. Both had superb games. Ellen McGrath was a close runner up for this accolade with a skilful performance in the half forwards. She bagged 2 goals and 3 points and with her shooting boots on could have doubled her tally.
Captain Ruth Prenter led by example throughout and rattled the cross bar near the end with a superb effort only to see her shot ricohet back into play where it was rescued by St Gall’s captain Anna Carey and cleared to safety.
The two Aoifes [McCann & Montague] displayed their usual never say die spirit although they and star forward Anna Finnegan were very well marked having been identified as key players by canny St Gall’s coach Bronagh Bell, herself a fine footballer, who compiles insider information in her capacity as gaelic coach of Rathmore GS girls. This gave Caoimhe Shepherd the chance to shine and she put in a scintillating display pairing speed and skill to give great momentum to the St Brigid’s forward play.
At long last Jennifer McMullan got a chance to show that she has the same potential as her sister and she put in a very strong performance as corner back as did Kate Finnegan who is most definitely a chip of the old block. She excelled in the first half in particular and she too showed she can match her sister’s influence on a game. Seniors mentor, Peter Prenter, was keeping an eye on matters and must have been impressed with both of these players.
The last ten minutes saw St Brigid’s dominate after Rose McKeogh’s brave peformance in goal in the second half denied St Gall’s two good chances. It is not possible to highlight every player’s performance but Niamh O’Hare showed just how important a playmaker she is on this team and other unsung heroes were Catherine McAuley who as usual got on the scoreboard several times, Mary Keenan whose name is always first on the starting sheet and of course not forgetting the two twelve year olds who had to help out due to lack of numbers, Hanna Loughran and Caitriona Montague.
Best for St Gall’s in this sporting encounter were Merissa Mc Gourty, Emma McPeake, Nicola Killen and captain Anna Carey.
Match referee John Conlan had a great game and allowed the match to flow. Give credit where it’s due.
A word of thanks to the vociferous mums who turned up to support.
Next match is also at home. This time to St Paul’s. Next Tuesday 22nd at 7.30pm. All players please attend YMCA at 7.00pm. Given the demands of exams players are not obliged to turn up for training but are requested to do their utmost to turn up for matches. We are hoping for a better turn out next week.
