Ace Alexa makes her point
Extra-time winner caps super recovery from Gaelscoil
GAELSCOIL L.G. BALLYCANEW 2-5 1-7 (AET)
A POINT deep into the second period of extra-time from Alexa Nic Fhiannchaidh capped a fine recovery from Gaelscoil Loch Garman, edging them to the narrowest of victories over a battling Ballycanew outfit in this Allianz girls’ football Rising Stars final in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on Monday of last week.
Ballycanew opened the game impressively, taking full advantage of the strong breeze as they laid siege to the Wexford town girls’ goal.
They looked hugely impressive during this opening period, with the attack, in particular, making effective use of their possession as they went on to build a seven-point interval lead.
Gaelscoil were struggling during the first-half, with their defence under almost incessant pressure, while the attack saw little in the way of quality possession.
As a result it was difficult to see them getting back into the game, even when wind assisted in the second period. But credit to the girls, as they began to play with more composure, and with the attack getting a better supply of quality ball, they gradually reduced the deficit to force extra-time in the end.
They went on to gain the only point in the two five-minute periods of extra-time, to snatch a dramatic victory.
The game was only two minutes old when impressive wing-forward Doireann O’Sullivan cut her way through the defence to finish with a low shot to the net, while by the fourth minute they had shot into a 1-2 to nil lead as both Shauna Murphy and Katie Higgins added points.
After Rebecca Murphy had extended her side’s lead with a fine point, Gaelscoil eventually opened their account in the 17th minute through a pointed from Alexa Nic Fhiannchaidh.
However, Ballycanew remained in control, pushing forward at every opportunity, and this led to further points from two Doireann O’Sullivan frees and a fine effort from an acute angle through Rebecca Murphy.
This left them leading by 1-6 to 0-2 at the interval, with Nic Fhiannchaidh adding her side’s second point close to the break.
Goalkeeper Sadhbh Ní Ailín kept the scoreline respectable through the opening period with three excellent saves, while she was called upon early in the second-half to deny the opposition with a super stop from a Doireann O’Sullivan close-range effort.
Five minutes into the second period, Gaelscoil managed to reduce the deficit through a Nic Fhiannchaidh point, while after 37 minutes - following a period of prolonged pressure - Eireann Ní Mhuirí found the net from close range to leave the scoreline 1-6 to 1-3.
Ní Ailín once again came to her side’s rescue with a fine save from Doireann O’Sullivan.
Then came a scoring flourish from the Wexford town team as they set about reducing the deficit with a string of impressive attacks.
Sorcha Ní Mhurchú kicked over a fine pointed free before the Gaelscoil girls, now playing some of their best football, built another promising attack with just two minutes remaining.
Having won possession in midfield, they moved the ball through several hands before Lucia Ní Ghógáin found herself in possession on the 14-metre line.
Having created space, she shot low to the corner of the net, giving her side a one-point advantage (2-4 to 1-6), crowning a great revival.
But, realising their plight, the Ballycanew girls summoned up sufficient energy in the closing minute to go in search of the equaliser.
They were rewarded just on fulltime when Aoife Browne kicked a fine point from an acute angle, to leave the final scoreline 2-4 to 1-7, bringing the game to extra-time.
Two additional five-minute periods were played, and Gaelscoil managed the solitary score - a pointed free from Sorcha Ní Mhurchú during the opening period - which proved sufficient to land them a hard-earned but quite deserving victory given their fine second-half recovery.
Ballycanew will feel somewhat disappointed at having lost the initiative, but they contributed to a marvellous 60 minutes of football in this high-standard final.
Gaelscoil Loch Garman: Sadhbh Ní Ailín; Clarisse Ní Chonchubhair, Ellie Ní Mhurchú; Eabha Ní Chrualaoich, Abigail De Lá, Lucia Ní Ghogáin (1-0); Sorcha Ní Mhurchú (0-3 frees), Siúin Ní Ghathlaoich; Eireann Ní Mhuirí (1-0), Alexa Nic Fhiannchaidh (0-2, 1 free), Hollie Ní Bhroinn; Saoirse Nic Roibín, Caitlin Ní Fhionnagáin. Subs. - Cadhla Ní Chuairc, Sianna Ní Dhubhagáin, Isobel Bent de Grás, Ashlynn Ní Dhiomsaigh.
Ballycanew: Ali Du Piessis; Amy Carton, Abbie Furlong; Kate James, Elizabeth Tully, Kym McBride; Caithlin Breen, Shauna Murphy (0-2); Aoife Browne (0-1), Doireann O’Sullivan (1-2, 0-2 frees), Kate O’Brien; Rebecca Murphy (0-2), Ciara Kavanagh. Subs. - Katie Higgins, Grace Haxby, Doireann Wheeler.
Referee: Brendan Holohan (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).