AGB march on to semi-finals
Tough win away to Bray
AGB BRAY EMMETS 1-12 2-07
AGB’S Senior ladies travelled to Bray on Friday last to play their final group game in the 2017 championship.
Having beaten Blessington and Clara, AGB were playing to top the group and guarantee their place in the semi-finals in the coming weeks.
As always, Bray provided fierce opposition on their home turf and they really put it up to the visitors with an early first half goal putting them into the driving position in the opening quarter.
AGB were finding it difficult to get their hands on the ball and to maintain possession when they had the ball in hand.
The AGB back line held firm against multiple attacks and forced many of Bray’s attempts at scoring wide of the mark.
On the attack AGB also squandered chances but with points from Steph Martin, Áine O’Reilly, Róisín O’Reilly, Katie Hurley and Annie Conroy they did enough to stay in contention at half-time while trailing 1-4 to 0-6.
The second half saw more of the same evenly fought battle but a second Bray goal put AGB on the back foot once again.
Following injuries to Annie Conroy and Róisín O’Reilly the girls decided to really put the foot down in the closing minutes scoring 1-3 to Bray’s single point and securing victory on a score line of 1-12 to 2-7.
Ann Marie Keegan was an impact substitution for AGB scoring 1-2 to help her side to victory. Steph Martin played a leader’s role adding three more to her tally in the closing half.
This was a very closely fought contest and a super save from Linda Dempsey in injury time saw a final attempt on goal tipped over the bar.
This was crucial as AGB led by three points at that stage and a goal would have levelled matters once again.
Alanna Conroy, Seona Michel, Laura Butler, Mikaela Shelley and Aisling Ó hAnnaidh were outstanding for Bray.
AGB now go on to the semi-final in which they will play the second placed team from the second group.
This game will most likely take place on the weekend of August 19 as the finals of all three grades; Junior, Intermediate and Senior are set for September 3 in Aughrim.
The AGB ladies had terrific support as many travelled to Bray to see the girls qualify yet again for the final stages of the championship.
AGB Junior ladies are also contesting the Junior ‘A’ semi-final so it’s a successful championship campaign to date for AGB ladies.
AGB: Linda Dempsey, Eimear Kelly, Ciara Forde, Sarah Garnett, Doireann Kavanagh (0-1), Jessica Hurley, Medbh Ó Chonchúbhair, Stephanie Martin (0-4), Niamh Arthur, Róisín O’Reilly, Annie Conroy (0-2), Jessie McElheron, Áine O’Reilly (0-1), Áine O’Reilly (0-1), Katie Hurley (0-1), Emma Furlong, Ann Marie Keegan (1-2), Orla Byrne, Eve Rogers, Abbie Doyle, Laura Rice, Angelika Pyciak.
Bray: Éadaoin Lenihan, Jane Butler, Aisling McCabe, Emily Deveney, Alanna Conroy, Rachel Cunningham, Naomi Doonan, Danika Goulding, Carla Lennon, Eimear Martin, Seona Michel, Aisling Ní hAnnaidh, Una O’Grady, Lauren Rowe, Mikaela Shelley, Eve Murphy, Alice Fitzpatrick, Laura Butler.