Kennedy Park show quality
Mighty Mollie follows in All Star brother’s footsteps
A FAMOUS first was celebrated in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, recently when a talented performer with a very well-known big brother played a key role in guiding Kennedy Park (Wexford) to a first-ever Rackard League girls’ football title.
Let’s be clear – it was a combined effort from everyone involved that brought the silverware home – but still, the name of one key figure was on the lips of many supporters, both partisan and neutral, on a bitterly cold night under the floodlights.
I’m sure Lee Chin has his All Star award in safe keeping, but he should seriously consider giving his sister, Mollie, a loan of the trophy for a week or two after her own sterling efforts in this entertaining match.
The joint captain and midfielder was a ball of energy as she repeatedly posed problems for local rivals Mercy (St. John’s Road) in this all-Wexford town derby that attracted a big crowd up the N11.
Her driving solo runs were a stand-out feature of a game that also saw one of her colleagues, Mikka Lawlor, scored two of the best goals seen at the extensively-used venue all year.
This capable duo, along with Nicole Kelly, accounted for the winning tally of 4-5 between them, and the fact that it all arrived from play was a testament to their ability.
However, a defence marshalled down the middle by Bronagh Kelly and Sophie Kinsella must also take immense credit for their first-half efforts in particular when they were battling into a very strong wind.
Mercy goalkeeper Alana Hendrick made a super save from a head-high shot in the early stages, and impressive centre-back Shannon McGuire then gave their side the lead from a free.
Kennedy Park replied with a cracking goal in the eighth minute, as Nicole Kelly sent a crossfield pass to Mikka Lawlor who cut across from left to right before planting the ball in the net.
The lively Niamh White passed to Isabella Carty to strike a neat
Mercy point midway through the half, but Lawlor quickly replied to make it 1-1 to 0-2.
A scramble around the goalmouth brought immense rewards for the St. John’s Road contingent in the 19th minute, as it ended with hard-working full-forward Lisa Foley putting them in front with a thumping shot to the net.
And Mercy went on to lead by 1-3 to 1-1 at half-time after Shannon McGuire pointed again, this time from a ’30, but they were held scoreless after the break as Kennedy Park took over with the elements now in their favour.
After dropping deep to help out her defence in the first period, Mollie Thompson-Chin took on a different role of pushing up on the Mercy kick-outs, and it paid rich dividends.
Indeed, they never looked back after she won an opposition restart under four minutes into the new half and soloed through for the lead goal (2-1 to 1-3).
A point followed from the same player before Nicole Kelly widened the margin to three, and Kennedy Park started to relax and enjoy their football as they were unlikely to be caught at that stage.
Mollie Thompson-Chin and Mikka Lawlor added points before Megan White’s pass picked out Kelly for their third goal at the start of the final quarter.
Another low shot by Thompson-Chin was well saved by excellent goalkeeper Alana Hendrick, but the best was undoubtedly kept until last from a Kennedy Park viewpoint as their final score drew gasps of admiration from the crowd.
It came from Mikka Lawlor with a memorable strike from distance to the far corner of the net, and it crowned a night when history was made by the girls in light blue.
Mercy deserve credit for battling to the very end, and they were unfortunate not to grab a consolation goal in added time when Lisa Foley rattled the post.
Kennedy Park: Jodie Carroll (joint capt.); Nicole Rossiter, Bronagh Kelly, Róisín Carty; Eva Cullen, Sophie Kinsella, Hannah Cullen; Nicole Kelly (1-1), Mollie Thompson-Chin (1-2); Ella Kane, Mikka Lawlor (2-2), Mae O’Gorman; Alix Mahon, Megan White, Olivia Bergin. Subs. - Abbie Bolger (used), also Lily O’Gorman, Lexie Carty, Tia Roche, Maryse Moran, Nikola Soltys, Lisa Zhang, Aoife Gough, Layla Ennis.
Mercy: Alana Hendrick; Cerys Heselton-Kavanagh, Gillian O’Gorman, Lucy Caulfield; Keeva Moloney, Shannon McGuire (0-2, 1 free, 1 ’30), Stella Cleary; Esme McKiernan-Becker (joint capt.), Gill Kavanagh (joint capt.); Keeley Delaney, Niamh White, Isabella Carty (0-1); Ciara Gordon, Lisa Foley (1-0), Veda Hanlon-O’Leary. Subs. - Annie Kelly (used), also Eppie Gainford, Leah Murphy, Molly O’Leary, Hayda Emem, Eva Duffin, Isobelle McGuire, Nicole Quirke, Marianna Meagher.
Referee: John Diskin (Bannow-Ballymitty).