Curracloe power home
CURRACLOE UNITED 4 NEW ROSS CELTIC 1
A MAGNIFICENT Curracloe United had far too much firepower for their lower division opposition as they claimed the Wexford Schoolgirls’ Under-12 Cup in Rathangan.
On a scorching day at the Fastnet Rovers grounds, the seasiders all but ensured victory in the opening quarter, with three goals inside nine minutes putting the game to bed early on.
If you left after Curracloe’s third goal, you might have expected a double figures win, but it says a lot about the character of this New Ross side that they were able to prevent a hammering.
They will be immensely proud of their resilience and their ability to keep their heads high and fight until the bitter end.
Now, about those opening minutes. There were very early signs that Curracloe were a danger going forward.
Just two minutes in, Zara Corrigan’s powerful shot was parried by Kayleigh Aylward just above the head of Polly Redmond, who had arrived on site ready to head in as New Ross were given an early let-off.
However, Redmond would not have to wait long to open the scoring.
In fact, just 60 seconds later she capitalised on a fortunate bounce to half-volley above the reaching hands of Aylward as she fired Curracloe ahead.
The early goal opened up the floodgates for wave after wave of Curracloe attacks.
Redmond struck wide before Jessie Murphy intelligently found captain Emma Cullen in the box, and she placed carefully into the right side of the net to double the lead.
When Corrigan got her goal direct from a corner in the twelfth minute, it was clear that New Ross had a mountain to climb if they were to even stay in the match, let alone mount a comeback.
Cullen hammered a shot from distance against the crossbar before Aoife Kielthy fired her side’s first effort on goal over after a well-worked short corner.
The second-half was far more even. The Curracloe back line of Molly O’Brien, Rebecca Corrigan and Caoimhe Tobin were beginning to be tested, but they weathered the challenge well with occasional assistance from goalkeeper Ellie Roche.
Cullen got a deserved second goal as she reacted quickest to poke home Corrigan’s corner in the 39th minute.
New Ross would eventually get the goal which they deserved after their difficult start. Kielthy connected well with a direct freekick as she beat both the wall and Roche in the net.
Tobin and Corrigan both sent shots over the crossbar as they searched for a fifth, but it was not needed as Curracloe comfortably closed out the game to take the Under-12 cup home with them.
Curracloe United: Ellie Roche; Molly O’Brien, Rebecca Corrigan, Caoimhe Tobin; Ciara Whelan, Emma Cullen (capt.); Zara Corrigan, Polly Redmond, Jessie Murphy. Sub. - (rolling) Erin O’Brien.
New Ross Celtic: Kayleigh Aylward; Orla McDonald, Shona Flanagan, Aoibhe Murphy; Ella Malone, Keelin Jensen, Maeve Bookle; Aoife Kielthy, Mya Fitzgerald. Subs. (rolling) - Amelia Kilcula, Sinéad Jones.
Referee: Yvonne O’Neill.