Fintan’s pip Gorey girls

ST. FINTAN’S NAOMH EANNA 2-8 2-7 THE OUTCOME remained in doubt until the final whistle in Farmleigh recently when St. Fintan’s pipped Naomh Eanna to claim the ladies’ football Under-16 Division 3 championship crown.

St. Fintan’s were first off the mark with a Cora Kenny point, and Aisling Gouldson followed suit before Ella Maree’s cracking goal edged Gorey in front.

Naomh Eanna drove home their advantage with a second goal from Niamh Territt, but points from joint captains Michelle Cullen and Eimear Fahy steadied the Ballymore-Mayglass side (2-0 to 0-4).

A Sarah Lynch point left three between them, but the determination of St. Fintan’s saw them edge ahed with a contribution of 1-1 from Jess Howlin.

However, the see-saw nature of proceedings continued as points from Sarah Lynch and Ella Maree restored the Naomh Eanna lead at half-time (2-3 to 1-5).

St. Fintan’s started the second period on a positive note when Sarah O’Donoghue goaled, but the advantage was shortlived as Naomh Eanna picked off four points through Sarah Lynch (two), Caoimhe Byrne and Emma Lynch.

A brace of pointed frees from Eimear Fahy brought the teams level and left the outcome on a knife-edge.

Finally, Leah Ormonde emerged as the match-winner for St. Fintan’s as her late point secured the spoils.

St. Fintan’s: Philippa Murphy, Rebecca Foley, Kaitlyn Broaders, Laura Healy, Tara Lambert, Eimear Fahy (joint capt., 0-3), Emma Sinnott, Michelle Cullen (joint capt., 0-1), Aisling Gouldson (0-1), Molly Doyle, Leah Ormonde (0-1), Jess Howlin (1-1), Cora Kenny (0-1), Leanne McDonnell, Róisín O’Connor, Leah Busher, Ciara Butler, Lorna Walsh, Sarah O’Donoghue (1-0), Niamh Fahy, Emily Coakley, Abi Sinnott, Aisling Ryan. Management: Nicky Sinnott, Ber Cullen, Enda Lambert.

Naomh Eanna: Caragh Clarke, Jan Stephens, Saoirse Kirwan, Niamh Cousins, Kayla Kenny, Rachel Murphy (joint capt.), Ciara Murphy, Niamh Territt (1-0), Sinéad Doran, Sarah Lynch (joint capt., 0-4), Rosie McGuckin, Angela Wall, Aoife O’Neill, Ella Maree (1-0), Jessica Wall, Caoimhe Byrne (0-2), Emma Lynch (0-1), Jean Kennedy-Doyle, Kim Burgers, Kenzie White, Shannon Keane, Ciara Wilkinson. Management: Noel Lynch, Alan O’Neill, Sue Kavanagh.

Referee: Pat Kehoe (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).