Bunclody win with big finish
Wexford town girls pipped
HWH-BUNCLODY produced a powerful finish to edge past Clonard/Volunteers and claim the ladies’ football Under-16 Division 1 championship title in Farmleigh recently.
The victors were strong favourites going into the game after dismantling their opponents by 8-8 to 0-6 in the group stages, but the Wexford town combination had worked hard to bridge the gap and put in an admirable performance.
Bunclody had superb players all over the field with Naomi Kavanagh and Yvonne Kelly keeping it tight at the back.
In midfield Aoife Mahon worked tirelessly, and Muireann Doyle was exceptional in attack.
However, star performer must have been Maeve Sinnott. The midfielder suffered a painful hand injury towards the end of the firs- half but she refused to go off and played superbly with what essentially was one arm for the second period.
While Mahon kicked the first point from a dead-ball after the impressive Doyle was fouled, the Clonard/Vols side had the better of the opening ten minutes.
Kate Murphy, Chelsey Pitman and Caitlin Murphy all hit the target to earn their side a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.
The complexion of the game changed in the eleventh minute when Megan O’Neill blocked down the opposing goalkeeper and the ball flew into the net.
It gave Bunclody a great boost and they added a Maeve Sinnott point and a Róisín O’Sullivan score after a fine solo run.
Scoring slowed in the second quarter but both sides added two further points in the period.
Pitman and Tormey strikes were cancelled out by minors from Doyle and O’Sullivan as Bunclody went in 1-5 to 0-5 ahead.
Either side of two Tormey points, Muireann Doyle grabbed her first goal with a fine lob over an advancing ‘keeper.
Up by 2-5 to 0-7, things started to go wrong for Bunclody when the inspirational Mahon was sinbinned after conceding a penalty.
Tormey tucked it away and it started a period in which Clonard/ Volunteers got on top.
A run of points from the town team ended with Sarah Siggins putting her side two points up heading into the latter stages.
However, back to full strength, Doyle fired home a rebound to the net and further points were added by Deirbhile Ní Cheallaigh, Doyle and Maeve Sinnott as HWH-Bunclody roared back to take the championship title.
HWH-Bunclody: Michaella Murphy; Naomi Kavanagh, Yvonne Kelly, Rachel Kehoe; Kayla Nolan, Kate Kirwan, Aisling Cowman; Maeve Sinnott (0-3), Aoife Mahon (0-1 free); Lisa Kelly, Deirbhile Ní Cheallaigh (0-2), Róisín O’Sullivan (0-1); Muireann Doyle (2-2), Rachel Murphy, Megan O’Neill (1-0). Subs. - Tracey Furlong for O’Neill, also Rebecca Murphy (capt.), Jasmin Dundon, Kate Doyle, Ola Bialko, Jacquie Kehoe, Laoise Kearney.
Clonard/Volunteers: Sarah Doyle, Alliot Kuton, Maeve Buckley, Ciara Shannon, Liadh Dwyer, Ciara Brennan, Caitlin Murphy, Holly Sinnott, Niamh Tormey, Tara Cullinane, Chelsey Pitman, Aisling O’Sullivan, Jessica O’Leary, Sarah Siggins, Kate Murphy, Anita Ngobo, Ellen O’Connor, Elle O’Shea, Erin Duffin, Caoimhe Rochford, Emily Kavanagh, Deborah Ngubi, Saoirse O’Brien, Sally Bruen, Chloe McGuire, Freya Murphy, Tara Murphy.