Carolan hat-trick inspires Pats to victory

ST Patrick’ under-14 girls started their championship campaign with a 3-5 to 3-3 win over St.Bride’s.

The Knockbridge girls started brightly scoring 1-1 in the first three minutes and were unlucky not to add a second goal when striking an upright, although they did rescue a point from the opportunity.

St. Patricks needed to get into the game and they did just that when a speculative shot from Ciara Carolan drifted in over the goalkeeper to nestle in the back of the net.

Both sides battled hard, but a second goal from Carolan gave the Pats girls a one-point lead with 10 minutes left in the half.

St.Patricks were dominating at this stage with Deirbhile Doherty and Ciara Carolan adding two points to leave three between the sides and just before half time Ciara completed her hat-trick with another perfectly-placed strike to leave the Pat’s girls leading by six at the break.

St.Brides started the second-half strongly with a goal inside the first minute to leave three between the sides.

However, Chloe McKenna and Shauna Murphy added two points for St. Pats.

Shanna Toner pulled off a great save to deny St. Brides in the 10th minute, but overall St. Patricks were strong in defence with Cailin Keenan having an outstanding game in the full back position ensuring St. Brides did not get a lot of opportunities to add to their tally.

The sides exchanged points and with five minutes left to play St. Brides battled through the Pats defence and added a goal to leave two between the sides.

St.Brides continued to press but the Pats girls defended superbly to secure a two-point win.