Hurley leads AGB attack in fine victory over Blessington

at Roundwood

ute to bring Arklow to 3-11. A free for Blessington yielded another point and the gap between the teams was reduced to just three points.

At this stage AGB called on their bench to help see the game out and they were not disappointed as each substitution had the desired effect. Isobel Carr replaced the hard-working Georgia Earls in the Arklow back-line and Keelin Stafford took up Casey Young’s wing back position.

These two were immediately involved in the action and carried considerable ball forward for the Arklow side.

Carlene Doyle replaced Rebecca O’Sullivan and moved into the full forward position. She too had an immediate impact scoring a wonderful goal to extend AGB’s lead to six points.

Muireann O’Connor added another point before she was replaced by Lucy Kindlon. Three further points from AGB’s Aoife Kavanagh, Ann Marie Keegan and Katie Hurley saw Arklow run out deserving winners on a final score line of 4-15 to 4-6.

The AGB back six led by the inspirational Emer Kelly was very solid and frustrated all attempts by Blessington to advance, putting pressure on every kick attempted. Abbie Healy was also steady between the posts and her excellent kick outs were invariably collected by a pair of AGB hands. The midfield pairing of Sarah Garnett and

Ann-Marie Keegan covered immense ground and looked confident throughout the sixty minutes. The forward line played as a disciplined unit and they worked the ball intelligently to make the best possible attempts at scores.

For Blessington Anna Vasiljeva covered the most ground working tirelessly in the number 11 jersey to track back and help out in defence while managing to pose a serious threat up front with Sarah Cronin and Síne O’Neill.

Niamh Cullen also made life difficult for the AGB defenders. The half-backs Ellie McKeever, Abaigh Craul and Erin King were dogged in defending their lines and fullback Rebecca Doran also had a very solid game for Blessington.

McKeever though injured, moved to the centre back position for Blessington and was very effective in that position. Mid-fielders Lisa Mulally and Moya Richardson worked tirelessly for the west Wicklow side carrying ball into the danger area and feeding their attacking forward line.

Blessington’s comeback was valiant but the extra experience of the Arklow players and the depth of talent on the bench was the recipe for Arklow’s success on the day.

Ann- Marie Keegan and Sarah Garnett were solid at mid-field for AGB, Emer Kelly anchored the back line as always through her hard work and determination, while Méadbh O’Connor played a captain’s role by her hard-working example at full-back. Grace Hurley led the Arklow attack, ably assisted by Katie Hurley, Muireann O’Connor and the other forwards whose decision making on the day was selfless and effective.

Abbie Healy, Caoilfhionn Kavanagh, Méadbh O’Connor, Georgia Earls, Casey Young, Emer Kelly, Laoighse Geoghegan, Ann-Marie Keegan ( 0-3), Sarah Garnett (0-1), Áine O’Reilly, Grace Hurley (2-4), Rebecca O’Sullivan, Muireann O’Connor (0-2), Katie Hurley (1-2), Aoife Kavanagh (0-3), Keelin Stafford, Isobel Carr, Carlene Doyle (1-0), Lucy Kindlon, Nicole Storey, Eve Rogers, Nicole Byrne, Nicole Kucharenko, Niamh Geoghegan.

AGB:

Ellen Murray, Mallaidh Behan, Rebecca Doran, Méadhbh Ní Mhurchú, Ellie McKeever, Abaigh Craul, Erin King, Lisa Mulally, Moya Richardson, Síne O’Neill (1-1), Anna Vasiljeva (2-1), Niamh Cullen (1-1), Sarah Bohan, Emma Moody, Sophie Cronin (0-3).

Blessington: