Six of the best sees Baltinglass rejoice
BALTINGLASS ÉIRE ÓG 6-11 3-06
IN really trying conditions, Baltinglass and Éire Óg met in a wet and windy Greystones last Friday night.
At stake was the Minor ‘B’ championship title – a title Baltinglass had won last year. Éire Óg settled well in the first half with Rachel Purcell and Aoife McTeague leading the blue and whites line throughout the half.
Purcell with two very well taken goals following powerful runs while McTeague contributed four points as Éire Óg took control of the game.
In truth, Éire Óg should probably have been further ahead at half-time and squandered many chances although perhaps the conditions didn’t help.
Baltinglass on the other hand were far more economical with their chances and picked off their points throughout the half mainly through the nimble feet of Marie Kealy.
As the half-time approached, the ball was worked to Louise McGeer who buried the ball in the Greystones net to bring the Baltinglass girls right back into the match and leave only the minimum between the sides on a score of 2-04 to 1-09.
The football played by both sides during that first half was a joy to behold particularly taking into account the conditions. Handling was excellent and the ball was worked through the hands by both sides in such a skilful way despite the swirling wind and rain.
However, the Baltinglass girls must have heeded their half-time talk for in the second half for a period of 10 minutes Baltinglass’s forwards took the game to the Éire Óg side and scored 3-04 without reply with Kealy and again McGeer providing goals together with a further green flag from Chloe O’Neill.
The conditions had appreciably improved and in the drying conditions both sides gave their supporters a treat of football to watch.
Although Greystones showed great heart in attempting to stage a comeback with a goal from Rachel Purcell but with Kealy and McGeer on fire the Baltinglass girls were relentless and with Kealy on fire were able to see out the game out and another victory for the girls from the west.
When Cathy Forde blew for full-time the score read Baltinglass 6-11 to Greystones’s 3-06. A big congratulations to both sides and to referee Forde who did a wonderful job of refereeing throughout in the tough conditions. This was a really sporting game with both sides showing great respect for each other and both side lines and supporters encouraging their girls throughout the match.
Best for Baltinglass apart from Marie Kealy and Louise McGeer were Emily Hanafin, Shefali Daly Danne, Jessica Moore, Mia Kavanagh and Ella Parke while for the Greystones side were best served by Aoife Mcteague, Katie Lawless, Rachel Purcell, Megan Healy, Claudia Randalls, Iseult Brosnan and the two Eva’s – Megannety and Roche.
The cup was presented to Baltinglass captain Marie Kealy and she was fulsome in her praise for both teams and their supporters throughout the season.
Baltinglass: Rachel Kenny, Amber Doyle, Orla Hanlon, Holly Kennedy, Shefali Daly Danne, Jessica Moore, Emily Hannafin, Beibhinn Wilkins (0-01), Mia Kavanagh (001), Katie Edwards, Chloe O’Neill (1-0), Ella Parke, Louise McGeer (2-1), Marie Kealy (2-8), Nicole Synnott (1-0), Marita Burke, Chloe Humphreys, Catriana Timmons, Katie Murtagh, Kubarat Montonmi, Jorja Malone, Niamh O’Brien, Mabel Leigh, Emma Jeaney, Kate Browne, Leah Sheridan
Éire Óg: Erika Bellamy, Frances Dallaghan, Katie O’Reilly, Andrea Hanlon, Eva Megannaty, Megan Healy, Eva Roche, Aoife McTeague (1-4), Claudia Randalls, Katie Lawless (0-2), Rachel Purcell, (2-0), Iseult Brosnan (0-1), Kerrianne Hamilton, Ellie O’Neill, Ellen Prendergast.
Referee: Cathy Forde