Our U17 girls took the short trip to Craughwell on Sunday to play their 2nd outing against a good Craughwell setup ! Craughwell grabbed the win last time out in a 2-1 thriller so our girls knew there was a big battle ahead! With just 11 girls available due to illness and injury our girls didn’t let it phase them as they started strong from the off. Our back line of Chloe Manley, Keva Hynes, Annalise Doran and Saoirse Moran were absolutely rock solid all through and calmly dealt with all incoming balls alongside Nina Bujak who stood strong in goal.
After a tremendous defensive effort from Saoirse Moran on the right wing the ball was cleared to Niamh Kennedy who danced past the Craughwell player and slotted to the feet of Edel Egan who played Lucy Roberts & she finished exquisitely to the net within the first minute of action. The girls had a pep in their step and were unlucky to capitalise further on their efforts which Libby Kennedy tirelessly working the centre midfield alongside Lucy Roberts and Laoise Maybin. The girls kept the ball in Craughwell’s half and were unlucky to hit the post on multiple occasions. The girls were quick to attack on the kickouts and a fantastic through ball from Lucy Roberts fell to the feet of Edel Egan who fearlessly ran at goal only for the Craughwell goalie to come off her line and recover the ball. Unfortunately on the 32nd minute and against the run of play Craughwell equalised. Craughwell had found their rhythm and were on the attack urged on by the equaliser but our girls kept them at bay through the fantastic leadership of Keva Hynes in the centre of defence and a calmly collected ball by Nina to ensure any danger was averted. Craughwell kept attacking and ensured they won a corner to kept their attack going ! A quick incoming ball was superbly cleared by a strong header from Annalise Doran. Colemanstown girls settled again and a fantastic run by Niamh Kennedy down the right wing ended in a rocket of a cross but our girls were unlucky not to get the touch on it to grab a 2nd goal before the break.
The half time break came & the girls knew they had more to give in the game. Straight from tip off the girls went on the attack from a fantastic long kick out from Nina Bujak and won a corner for their efforts. A pinpoint corner by Libby Kennedy swung into the box but the Craughwell keeper was confident in her save. Laoise Maybin must be acknowledged for her fantastic teamwork ensuring she was always creating options for her teammates and creating trouble for the Craughwell defence. A huge clearance from Chloe Manley involving Laoise Maybin, Ailish Molloy & Edel Egan but the latter was once again unlucky in her darting run at goal. The girls kept edging for the winning goal and fantastic crosses by Niamh Kennedy, Ailish Molloy and Libby Kennedy were troubling the Craughwell defence. The girls kept fighting and won a throw-in far up on the left wing. Up stepped Annalise Doran and straight from the Megan Campbell handbook she fired in a phenomenal throw which floated towards Niamh Kennedy who struck a volley but the effort destined for goal was blocked by a defender and both Ailish Molloy and Laoise Maybin were unlucky not capitalise on the rebound. Hearts in our mouths kind of moment!
The Colemanstown girls kept edging forward but not without Craughwell having their own breaks on goal. Craughwell won themselves a corner from the attack and our girls knew the clearance required. The ball was floated in to an incoming Craughwell player who superbly volleyed on the run only for Keva Hynes to put her body on the line not once but 3 times in her box to ensure Nina Bujak in her goal was safe. Incredible defending from Keva. The hard work paid off when Lucy Roberts ran straight on goal after a superb through ball by Niamh Kennedy and Lucy coolly slotted it to the back of the net for what proved to be a worthy winner. The girls kept fighting in a bid to extend their lead and there was great teamwork between the defenders and Ailish Molloy ensuring our backline was secure when left back Annalise Doran had to step off for a moment with an injury leaving only 10 girls to hold the game. Our girls had one last attack on goal when a superb cross from Laoise Maybin fell to Niamh Kennedy who once again went for the volley but it just drifted wide. The game finished a well-earned 2-1 win in a tough encounter. Well done to all. Match report by Laura Parker
Squad: Nina Bujak, Keva Hynes, Chloe Manley, Saoirse Moran, Annalise Doran, Libby Kennedy, Lucy Roberts, Laoise Maybin, Niamh Kennedy, Ailish Molloy, Edel Egan.
