U17 Girls: Colemanstown 3 – 6 Knocknacarra
Our U17 Girls lined out against Knocknacarra in the U17 Premier league opener on Sunday in Colemanstown. It was a tough battle for both teams from the start in some serious dead heat. The intensity was evident from the start as both teams threatened each others goal immediately. It was Knocknacarra who opened the scoring on the 5 minute mark when a ball fell to the feet of their no.3 on the edge of the box and she struck the back of the net to her own surprise. A fantastic goal for Knocknacarra and well deserved celebrations followed. The Colemanstown girls weren’t backing down too easily though and from tip off they went on the attack and won themselves a corner.
The corner was swung in by Libby Kennedy as Grace Mitchell was unlucky not to capitalise! Knocknacarra cleared the ball but Annalise Doran, who was in top form came out to retrieve it and with a heavy tackle from Knocknacarra won a free for her team. Lucy Roberts stepped up for the free and gave a lovely ball through to Niamh Kennnedy who found the net. A fantastic response from the girls. The games intensity kept on rising throughout the game and our backline of Lucy Roberts, Annalise Doran, Saoirse Moran and Roisin Ruane were commended for they tireless workrate. Our girls kept piling the pressure on and were unlucky not to score once again from a superb corner. Knocknacarra once again went on the attack and finished superbly to make it 2-1. Once again our girls weren’t backing down and a fantastic free from Lucy Roberts found Libby Kennedy who finished it perfectly to tie the game. The Colemanstown girls kept fighting but once again Knocknacarra went on the attack and grabbed their 3rd goal after another darting run. Our girls were then unlucky to concede a penalty due to a handball and Knocknacarra slotted in their 4th. A water break followed and with 6 goals already in 20mins both teams had showcased their fantastic skill.
The girls regrouped and re-commenced the 2nd 20mins of the game and were so unlucky not to capitalise on their fantastic workrate as Aoife Laffey and Laoise Maybin were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Knocknacarra once again capitalised after a fantastic through ball and finished the first half 5-2. The girls welcomed the halftime break to get some water in and regroup.
The girls restarted the 2nd half with some fresh legs and positional changes & went on the attack from the start through Eva Molloy and Lillie Kirby who were unlucky when their efforts just went over the crossbar while another effort was scrambled off the knocknacarra goal line. Edel Egan in goals closed down the oncoming player in her 1-v-1s time & time again and was just superb. Also a massive well done to Aoife Laffey who started in her first game up top and was unlucky not to add her name to the scoresheet. The game continued in its high tempo even in the blistering heat and Knocknacarra slotted in their 6th of the day but once again our girls went in response and a lovely through ball by Libby Kennedy set up Lillie Kirby for a fantastic finish to make it 6-3 in the end. The final whistle came to the relief of both teams and both groups were in agreement that a fantastic display of football was showcased.
Well done to our newly nominated co-captains Niamh Kennedy and Saoirse Moran and congratulations to our POTM Annalise Doran.
Match report by Laura Parker
Squad: Edel Egan, Saoirse Moran, Lucy Roberts, Annalise Doran, Roisin Ruane, Lillie Kirby, Eva Molloy, Grace Mitchell, Libby Kennedy, Niamh Kennedy, Laoise Maybin, Aoife Laffey.