Victory over Urris takes Aodh Ruadh into county decider
Ladies under 16 B championship semi-final
31 October 2016
Aodh Ruadh 2-10
Urris 3-4
Father Tierney Park
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Aodh Ruadh booked their place in the county B final, thanks in large part to a sparkling seven minute spell of football in the second half where they registered 1-5 without reply to leave Urris with too much to do in the final 15 minutes of play.
The first half was a low scoring affair, but Saoirse Farren got it off to a quick start with an early point for the visitors. Three minutes later Aodh Ruadh opened their account in style. Andrea McGlynn was fouled for a penalty and Mary Flora Scott really lashed her shot home, placing in at the post and just past the dive of Ciara Parke who guessed right.
Five minutes later Urris could have had a goal of their own, but Ciara Duffy's shot rattled off the crossbar. A minute later only a great saving block from Brianna Maher denied a second goal-scoring effort for the visitors.
The pressure finally told after 15 minutes when Caitlin McDaid found the range to cut Aodh Ruadh's lead to the minimum.
Three minutes later Alannah Ryan took a good point and that was augmented shortly after by a great individual effort from Tara Duffy to restore the goal cushion.
With two minutes to run to the break Andrea McGlynn was again fouled in the area, but the referee opted to bring play back for an earlier free. Mary Flora Scott did the needful with the short range placed ball. A minute later Roisin Meehan got on the end of a great bit of patient play by Ballyshannon to move the hosts five clear.
Urris kept battling though and Caoimhe Devlin managed to grab a goal just before the break to keep the visitors well in the game.
They had the gap back down to the minimum again seven minutes into the new half when Saoirse Farren sent over a free. But five minutes later Aodh Ruadh found their groove in spectacular fashion. With 42 minutes on the clock the Shamettes put together a good flowing move which was well finished by Mary Flora Scott. Then from the kick out Cáit Gillespie was fouled and Mary Flora Scott again split the posts with the dead ball. A minute later Gillespie got on the score sheet herself with a good point from play.
Then the kick out was turned again and Mary Flora Scott let fly with a rocket of a shot which flashed across the face of goal and into the top left corner. Scott added another two points over the next five minutes to give Aodh Ruadh a lead of 2-9 to 1-3.
Urris had a tall order in front of them, but goals from Caoimhe Devlin in the 50th and 53rd minute brought them back to within striking distance of the hosts.
However the Aodh Ruadh defence, which was magnificent throughout, offered no further opportunities and when Roisin Meehan added her second score a minute into added time that was to be the insurance Anna Rafferty's charges needed.
Urris sub Claire McCarron got a point two minutes later, but the whistle went shortly after and victory was Aodh Ruadh's.
A great win for the girls as they deservedly progressed to the county decider. Brianna Maher, Bronagh Kelly, Rionach Sheerin and Ana Keon were immense in defence rarely putting a foot wrong. Mary Flora Scott finished with 2-5 to her credit and a was a threat throughout. Cait Gillespie showed plenty of energy while Tara Duffy really rose to the challenge in the closing stages, creating the opening of Roisin Meehan's insurance score.
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| Teams |
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Aodh Ruadh Katherine McClay; Rionach Sheerin, Brianna Maher, Laoise Gallagher, Bronagh Kelly, Ana Keon, Síofra Hughes; Saoirse McDevitt, Dearbhla O'Moore; Mary Flora Scott (2-5, 1 pen, 3f); Cáit Gillespie (0-1), Roisin Meehan (0-2), Andrea McGlynn, Tara Duffy (0-1), Alanah Ryan (0-1). Sub: Erin McGowan for Laoise Gallagher 45m; Leah Travers for Rionach Sheerin 46m; Alicia Clyne for Andrea McGlynn 48m. |
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Urris Ciara Parke; Ella Devlin, Caitlin Devlin, Jacqui Duffy; Lauren Collins, Sorcha Hession, Ciara Duffy; Cathey Doherty, Mary Doherty; Erin Doherty, Saoirse Farren (0-2, 1f), Caitlin McDaid (0-1); Emma Harkin, Caoimhe Devlin (3-0), Ciara Gill. Subs: Emma Doherty for Erin Doherty 23m; Enya Dillon for Ciara Duffy 46m; Claire McCarron (0-1). |
| Referee: John McGlanaghey. |
Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 1:11pm