One win each for keen rivals
Exciting end to U14 season
TWO MASSIVE clubs, two big games, one venue, three days apart saw All Blacks and Curracloe United clash in the Under-14 Premier play-off on Friday and the Under-14 Cup final on Sunday.
There is absolutely nothing between these two sides and if even a percentage of the players on these squads can be retained, both clubs will be force at women’s level in the not too distant future.
Kilmore United’s excellent facilities were the venue for both games, and on Friday night both faced off in the first of the double header.
Both sides produced some top class precision passing although defences dominated and chances were kept to a minimum.
The game seemed to be heading towards extra-time until the young Aoibheann Rankin took control in a crowded penalty area, made space for herself and shot to the net for to give All Blacks the lead.
They held this lead for the remainder of the game and, moments later, the referee sounded the final whistle, much to the delight of the All Blacks travelling support.
Wexford league committee member Adrian Kehoe was on hand to present the Premier League trophy to the victorious and delighted winning captain.
Two days later, both sides were back in Kilmore again for the cup final and, despite the warm weather, they produced every bit as fast-paced a performance as in the previous game.
Once again both sides cancelled each other out with chances few and far between, but that did little to take away from the entertainment produced by two very committed groups of players.
Seventy minutes could not separate these sides, and the game moved into extra-time where the deadlock was finally broken when Grace Harding-Kenny scored early in the first-half of extra-time.
All Blacks had their chance to equalise just before the end of that first-half, but the Curracloe ‘keeper stood up well to save and keep her side in control.
All Blacks were unable to break down a resilient Curracloe side in the second-half of extra-time, and the seasiders held on to lift the Under-14 Cup for the third time.
It also rounds off a great season in cup finals as they also lifted the Under-11 and Under-12 titles. A league committee member presented the cup to the victorious Curracloe captain, while All Blacks defender Kathlyn Boggan was awarded the player of the match.
After a very long season where weather, inte- league matches and exams caused several delays, we are now down to the final match of the season.
This Tuesday (June 26), Bunclody will host Forth Celtic in the Under-18 Cup final with a 7 p.m. kick-off.