U-14 play-offs needed
WEXFORD Youths 0, Aughrim Rangers 2: Under-12 Division 4 champions Aughrim Rangers travelled to second-placed Wexford Youths on Wednesday and rounded off their perfect season with their 14th win from 14 games.
Abigail Whitney and Ciara Connolly scored both goals in the second-half for the Wicklow side. Ballindaggin A.F.C. 0, Courtown Hibs 0: These sides are deadlocked at the top of the Under-14 Premier Division table and nothing could separate them when they met on Wednesday, with defences dominating in this highly-entertaining scoreless draw.
The Hibs ‘ keeper pulled off an excellent save from Niamh McHugh, while at the other end Hannah Redmond saw her shot rocket back off the crossbar. Curracloe United 1, Courtown Hibs 2: Hibs travelled to Curracloe on Saturday and after a dogged battle, they secured the three points to bring the Under-14 Premier Division division to a play-off between themselves and Ballindaggin.
Amy Robertson put the visitors in front but Rebecca Fanning quickly had the home side back on level terms before Hannah Redmond scored the winner for Courtown with 15 minutes to go.
All Blacks 6, St. Leonards 3: The home side have joined Forth Celtic at the top of the Under-14 Division 1 table after this win over St. Leonards, but they had to work very hard to overcome a determined visiting side.
Goals from Eve and Aoife Cullen had St. Leonards 2-0 ahead before Niamh Reese scored twice to bring the sides level, but Jennah Molloy restored the St. Leonards lead just before the break.
All Blacks were much better in the second-half and goals from Emma Carr, Seren Ward, Aoife Houghton and a third from Niamh Reese gave them the three points they needed to finish level with Forth Celtic.
Tombrack United 1, Bree United 1 (AET, Tombrack won 4-2 on penalties): With three games to go, Tombrack looked to be out of the running for honours in the Under-18 sevens division, but some excellent performances in the run-in saw them force their way into a three-way play-off where they overcame St. Leonards in the semi-final.
And in torrential rain on Saturday, they lifted the title after a penalty shoot-out win over Bree United.
After a scoreless first-half, Becky Connaughton eventually broke the deadlock with a penalty early in the second period, but the lead was shortlived as Amy Long quickly had Bree back on level terms.
No further goals saw the game go to extra-time and then penalties where Tombrack held their nerve to win 4-2.
Aoife Codd and Louise Butler were on target for Bree in the shoot-out, while Becky Connaughton, Breda Cushen, Amie Dreelan and Nicola Ryan were all on target for Tombrack.
League Vice-Chairman Barry Dempsey was on hand to present the soaked but delighted home side with their league trophy.
All four divisions in the Under-14 league have all, or will, require play-offs to decide the destination of the league titles.
Seaview overcame North End on penalties in Division 2A while Adamstown beat Aughrim 2-1 to lift the Division 2B title.
All Blacks and Forth will meet on June 10 in Kilmore to decide the destination of the Division 1 title, while next Saturday Courtown Hibs and Ballindaggin will meet to decide who will be crowned Premier champions.
SAT. JUNE 3
Under-14 Premier play-off: Ballindaggin A.F.C. v. Courtown Hibs (venue and kick-off time to be confirmed).
SAT. JUNE 10
Under-14 Division 1 play-off: All Blacks v. Forth Celtic (11.00 in Kilmore United A.F.C.).