|
May 22nd
The U13 girls continued on their winning ways when they overcame the brave challenge of Naomh Mearnóg last Sunday in Portmarnock. The game was played on Naomh Mearnóg's fine all-weather pitch. Na Fianna played with the assistance of a stiff breeze in the first half and took full advantage by scoring three goals and five points without reply before Nh Mearnóg got a goal and a point just before the interval. Eleanor Buggy scored two goals in the first half, the second of which came after a fine sweeping move involving Aoife Gaughan, Leah Caffrey and Karen Cullen. Team captain Isabelle Kelly sustained an unfortunate ankle injury early in the match and had to retire injured. Béibhinn ni Dhonnchadha and Amy Campbell were not found wanting in Isabelle's enforced absence and both played very well in the full-back line in front of Helen Lynch who was having a busier match than recently.
The two Leahs Bergin and Caffrey combined well in midfield with the latter contributing three points from play and covering almost every inch of the pitch in a tremendously committed display. Rebecca Boardman continued her recent improved form and kicked a fine point which cannoned off the crossbar before flying over the bar. Sorcha Bracken was also on target with a nice shot from distance which dipped over the goalkeeper's head high into the net.
Half-time score Na Fianna 3-5 Naomh Mearnóg 1-1
The second half was a tougher affair as Na Fianna had to face the breeze. Inevitably Naomh Mearnóg got a better foothold in the game with conditions very much in their favour. Thankfully Na Fianna had enough in the tank to withstand the offensive. Orla Keegan marshalled the defence in style with great support from Aisling Murchan. Orla even had time to get on the score-sheet herself and added to her first half point by goaling in the second half after a strong raid upfield. Nh Mearnóg got the gap down to eight points before the final word went to Eleanor who finished impressively with a left-footed flourish to leave the final score Na Fianna 6-5 Naomh Mearnóg 3-3.
It was the girls' toughest test since the opening match against Raheny and with four wins out of four, the team is now well placed to challenge for League honours. Well done to Karen Cullen on her first outing for the 1994s team and best wishes to Isabelle for a speedy recovery.
Helen Lynch
Amy Campbell Isabelle Kelly(c) Beibhinn ni Dhonnchadha
Aoife Gaughan Orla Keegan Aisling Murchan
Leah Caffrey Leah Bergin
Sorcha Bracken Lucy Brady Karen Cullen
Megan Deevey Eleanor Buggy Rebecca Boardman
Subs: Claire Wilson Sadhbh McQuillan
Scorers: Eleanor Buggy 4-0 Orla Keegan 1-1 Leah Caffrey 0-3 Sorcha Bracken 1-0 Rebecca Boardman 0-1
***********************************************************************************************
May 15th
The U13 girls had their easiest game of the League so far when they proved far too strong for a game St Monicas team last Sunday evening in Albert College Park. Having been put to the pin of their collar in the opening match to beat a strong Raheny team, the girls have not really been sufficiently tested since. Orla Keegan made her first appearance for the 1994 team and in expectation of a stern St Monicas challenge started the match at centre-back. When this challenge was not forthcoming, Orla switched to goalkeeper at half-time in order to allow Helen Lynch to stretch her legs. As if to prove her versatility, Orla was sent up to the forward line for the final few minutes where she duly notched a goal with her left foot as requested by team management.
The match was notable as it featured the debut appearances of both Anna O'Hanlon and Lisa Oliver. Both players proved that they will have plenty to contribute as the season progresses. Eleanor Buggy played at full-forward in the first half and scored a flurry of goals before being substituted at half-time. Overall it was a difficult match to assess as Na Fianna were far too strong for their young opponents.
The next match away to Naomh Mearnóg on Sunday promises to be a much tougher affair.
Final Score: Na Fianna 19-8 St Monicas 0-0
************************************************************************************************
May 10th
The U13 girls continued their winning ways when they overcame the challenge of Fingallians last evening in Albert College Park. The team played 'down the hill' in the first half and got off to a very good start when the lively Lucy Brady kicked the opening point. Leah Caffrey who was making her first appearance for the 1994 team was very influential on the left wing of attack and combined well with her team-mates in opening up the Fingallians defence. Aoife Nolan again had her scoring boots with her and scored two fine first-half goals. Sadhbh McQuillan carried on from her promising display against Raheny and her point just before half-time closed the first-half scoring with Na Fianna leading 3-6 to no score.
The defence had held firm with Aoife Gaughan, Eimear McDonagh and Aisling Murchan providing a very solid half-back line. Behind them, Claire Wilson won some good ball and Beibhinn ni Dhonnchadha was her usual livewire self. Team captain Isabelle Kelly again led by example despite being taken for a tour of Albert College Park by her energetic marker. Helen Lynch had been the least busy player on the pitch but had reacted well to a couple of dangerous situations and had cleared her lines effectively.
Playing up the hill in the second half, the team settled down and played some very controlled football. Leah Caffrey kicked three fine points from play and Sarah Keartland supplemented her first half point by adding a second. Substitute Amy Campbell also impressed and her strength in the full-forward position marks her out as a natural ball-winner. Sorcha Bracken's work-rate was impressive and her chasing back put a lot of pressure on Fins.
To be fair to Fingallians, the final score of 5-11 to no score probably flattered Na Fianna as the match was not as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. However, there was no doubting the superiority of Na Fianna and the team now looks forward to its third match next Sunday against St Monicas.
Helen Lynch
Claire Wilson Isabelle Kelly Beibhinn ni Dhonnchadha
Aoife Gaughan Eimear McDonagh Aisling Murchan
Sarah Keartland Leah Bergin
Sorcha Bracken Aoife Nolan Leah Caffrey
Lucy Brady Lisa Kelly Sadhbh McQuillan
Subs used: Eleanor Buggy, Rachael O'Byrne, Amy Campbell, Ally O'Flaherty, Jenny Reddin,
Subs not used: Anna O'Hanlon, Lauren Kearns, Rachel McMahon
Scorers: Aoife Nolan 3-1 Leah Caffrey 1-4 Eimear McDonagh 1-0 Sarah Keartland 0-2
Lucy Brady, Lisa Kelly, Sadhbh McQuillan and Amy Campbell 0-1 each
*******************************************************************************************
May 2nd, 2007
The U13 girls won their first League match of the season last night in St Anne's Park when they beat Raheny on a scoreline of 5-5 to 3-6.
A virtuoso first-half display at centre-forward by Aoife Nolan in which she contributed 3-1 meant that the team led by 3-2 to 2-3 at half-time. A narrow lead of two points looked precarious as Na Fianna had to face a stiff breeze in the second half. From the throw-in, Leah Bergin added to her first half point by knocking over another in fine style. However rather than widening the gap to three points, this classy point narrowed the gap to one as Leah had forgotten to change ends and had scored a very rare own-point over the head of her own goalkeeper Helen Lynch. Leah more than made up for this momentary lapse in concentration by playing a stormer in the second half.
Raheny had a gem of a player at centre-field in Siobhan Woods who had lorded the first half but Eimear McDonagh came out of goals for the second half and did a great job in containing her for the second period. Successive points from Rachel McMahon, Sorcha Bracken and Lisa Kelly put Na Fianna four clear but Raheny fought back with two points of their own to cut the gap to two. Eimear McDonagh seemed to have settled things with a late goal but when Raheny came up the pitch they got one of their own to narrow the gap back to two again.
Fittingly the final word belonged to Aoife Nolan who put the result beyond doubt with a fourth goal deep into stoppage time and the girls enjoyed a five point win in what was for most of them their first football match for Na Fianna.
Well done to all of the girls who fought hard throughout. Isabelle Kelly and Sarah Keartland were very solid and Aisling Murchan won a great ball with about five minutes to go which was crucial. Lucy Brady also impressed as a second-half substitute and Rachel, Sorcha and Lisa all deserved their scores.
Eimear McDonagh
Claire Wilson Helen Lynch Beibhinn ni Dhonnchadha
Aoife Gaughan Isabelle Kelly(capt.) Aisling Murchan
Sarah Keartland Leah Bergin
Sorcha Bracken Aoife Nolan Rebecca Boardman
Rachel McMahon Lisa Kelly Sadhbh McQuillan
Subs: Lucy Brady, Lauren Kearns, Ally O'Flaherty
Scorers: Aoife Nolan 4-1, Eimear McDonagh 1-0, Rachel McMahon 0-1,
Sorcha Bracken 0-1, Lisa Kelly 0-1.
|