Kilruane took on Moycarkey in the u13 B county final on Saturday last. With Moycarkey after winning the u12 B final earlier this year management were well aware of the tough task ahead. Playing against the wind in the first half it was Kilruane’s Ali O’Kelly who opened the scoring with a well taken goal after a great pass from Lucy O’Brien. Hannah Grace added a point to give Kilruane a 4 point lead after 12 minutes. Moycarkey responded with their first score, a point, and would have had several more scores were it not for the excellence of Mikaela Reddan between the posts. With chances to be taken management introduced Clodagh Shinners into the attack . Within minutes a Mollie Kennedy ball found Clodagh , who set up Lucy O’Brien for Kilruane’s second goal. On the stroke of half time a well taken Moycarkey sideline led to their first goal and reduced Kilruane’s lead to just 1 goal at half time 2-1 to 1-1.
Once again it was Kilruane who opened the scoring in the 2nd half when midfielder Hannah Grace’s shot that appeared to be going over the bar dropped short into the Moycarkey net. A Moycarkey goal soon after cut the deficit to 1 goal once again and it looked as if the momentum was with them. Once again Mikaela Reddan was called on to make save after save. Full back Niamh Franks was immense, while Leanne Gould in the half back line harried every ball. Midfielders Emma Williams and Hannah Grace gained a foothold in the game once again and were key to driving Kilruane forward. Ava Gaynor and Clodagh Shinners were unlucky not to see their efforts go over the line. With 5 minutes left only 1 goal separated the sides , before a late Kilruane flourish resulted in goals for Ali O’Kelly and Clodagh Shinners. Final score 5-1 to 2-1 did not reflect how close the game was.
This was a superb team performance. As mentioned Mikaela Reddan was outstanding in goals and produced a player of the match display. Niamh Franks has established herself as an excellent full back and produced the same fine performance as she did in the semi final. She got great support from Orlagh White, Orna Daly and Christine Percy when introduced. Kilruane’s half back line is key to their success with all 3 players Leanne Gould , Lucy Gould and Sarah Cleary playing a similar style of never giving up and working tirelessly for every ball. Emma Williams & Hannah Grace have established a fine partnership at midfield. Up front Ali O’Kelly finished as top scorer with Lucy O’Brien and Clodagh Shinners also getting on the scoreboard. Captain Mollie Kennedy led by example and battled for every ball. Ava Gaynor was involved in some great passages of play while Aoibhe Spillane brings a great burst of speed into the forward line.
Thanks to a great bunch of girls for a very entertaining and rewarding campaign. Thanks to management Damien Franks, Liam O’Kelly and Sinead Williams who have been working with these girls since January.
Team: Mikaela Reddan, Orna Daly, Niamh Franks, Orlagh White, Lucy Gould, Leanne Gould, Sarah Cleary, Hannah Grace (1-1), Emma Williams, Ali O’Kelly (2-0), Lucy O’Brien (1-0), Aoibhe Spillane, Ava Gaynor, Mollie Kennedy (capt), Clodagh Shinners (1-0), Christine Percy, Eibhlis Hannan, Molly Carroll, Aoife Williams, Orlaith Cleary, Abigail Clarke, Katie Mulcahy, Ava McGrath, Keira Madden, Ciara Barry and Sarah Quinlisk.
