St Kevin’s march on
Dunlavin side too good for gallant Loreto College Bray
ST KEVIN’S CC LORETO COLLEGE 3-14 0-4
ST KEVIN’S Community College Dunlavin stormed to victory over Loreto College Bray in the Senior girls’ ‘A’ football semi-final in Dunlavin last Thursday morning.
At stake for both these teams was a place in the county ‘A’ final against Coláiste Bhríde Carnew who disposed of Coláiste Chill Mhantáin in the other semi-final in Carnew before Christmas. Going on this performance from the west Wicklow outfit, the final should be a very entertaining battle indeed.
Conditions in Dunlavin were difficult for both sides but it was the Dunlavin side who dealt with the wet meadow-like conditions better and they charged into an early 2-0 to 0-0 lead after just six minutes as Ruth Birchall stamped her authority all over this game from half-forward and lashed home two beautiful goals past Amy Cahill in the Loreto goal.
In fact, it took the Bray girls 26 minutes to open their account, that from the boot of the talented Laura Butler. However, by that time Loreto were down 2-6 to 0-1 and facing a mighty uphill struggle to claw their way back into the game.
Key to this St Kevin’s victory were the performances of some key players over the course of the hour. The aforementioned Ruth Birchall is a major talent and she caused the Bray side all sorts of problems throughout this game.
Birchall was ably assisted by Katie Tyrrell who bagged 1-4 (one free) and by Caitlin Kennedy who notched two points (one free). Yasmin Browne was excellent from half-back, Ali Miley was a rock at centre half-back whle Rachel Murtagh, Ellen Maguire and Clodagh Kelly gave very short change in the full-back line.
Loreto battled bravely throughout this game but just couldn’t stem the St Kevin’s tide and were found to be second to most balls. They had numerous chances, however, to get themselves back into the game but strong defensive work and shooting let them down.
The difference between the sides could have been much more pronounced had it not been for the superb showing of Loreto keeper Amy Cahill who saved umpteen goal-bound shots.
Birchall’s two goals were followed by points from Katie Tyrrell (two), Birchall (two), Caitlin Kennedy, and Yasmin Browne before Laura Butler stopped the rot for Loreto and that is how the first half ended, with St Kevin’s up by 2-6 to 0-1.
Despite their scoring rate increasing in the second half, Loreto just couldn’t stifle the St Kevin’s attack and two Ruth Birchall points either side of a Laura Butler effort made it 2-8 to 0-2 after eight minutes of the second half.
Loreto continued competing as best they could in this encounter but St Kevin’s’ third goal, this one from the boot of Katie Tyrrell, put this game well and truly to bed and sent the Dunlavin side on a collision course with Coláiste Bhríde Carnew in the ‘A’ final.
It promises to be a game not to be missed.
Scorers – St Kevin’s: Ruth Birchall 2-5, Katie Tyrrell 1-4, Caitlin Kennedy 0-2 (1f), Yasmine Browne 0-1, Daisey Summer Cullen Dunne 0-1, Katie Maguire 0-1.
Loreto College Bray: Laura Butler 0-4 (1f).