Pat’s power home
Five-star performance sees Saints slay Valleymount
ST. PATRICK’S ran a drastically outmatched Valleymount ragged with a dazzling, five-star attacking display to end the 2020 season on a high by putting on a fivegoal clinic to clinch the Senior ‘B’ football championship on Monday evening.
Pat’s were in scintillating form in the first half of the encounter in a chilly Ballinakill, with goals from Clodagh Fox, Ashling Hayden, and Saoirse O’Reilly overwhelming their inexperienced opponents. They took their foot off the pedal somewhat, which allowed Valleymount back into the contest, but were still lethal going forward, with further goals from Fox and Lucy Dunne capping the game off in some style.
Before 2020, St. Pat’s had been to three consecutive Senior county finals, ultimately coming up short against Tinahely on each occasion. In that respect, this campaign can be viewed as a disappointing one for a team that will have hoped for so much more. Eliminated in the group stage following defeats to Baltinglass and eventual finalists Blessington, Monday night was a chance to put a shine on a frustrating campaign. Their first-half performance against Valleymount was laced with the intensity and purpose that comes with knowing that more was almost certainly expected of them.
It took just seven minutes for Pat’s to get their first goal of the night. Already leading 0-4 to 0-1, the ball – as was the case all half – was sent up the left-hand side for the outstanding Clodagh Fox, who subsequently lobbed Emer Miley for the goal. Two minutes later, they had their second through Ashling Hayden, once again coming from
the left-hand side.
It was down that left channel that Pat’s were proving to be such a devastatingly destructive outfit. Lucy Dunne and Naoise O’Reilly were superb all evening as supportive runners, while Valleymount were simply incapable of living with the pace and movement of Clodagh Fox and Saoirse O’Reilly. On the flip side, Sarah Delahunt was in fine form as the one so often tasked with breaking up any Valleymount counters.
All of this was encapsulated by a beautifully crafted third goal. Delahunt won the ball back in the Valleymount half and passed to Fox up the left wing. The forward dynamo held onto possession and waited for support, which arrived in the form of Ashling Hayden inside. She then sent a wonderful
pass over the top to the unmarked Saoirse O’Reilly, who drilled the ball home from the angle.
Further scores followed from Laura Manley, Niamh Caffrey (2, Hayden, and Fox as Pat’s went into the break 3-10 to 0-2 in front.
The second half started in much the same way that the first had ended. Clodagh Fox and Naoise O’Reilly each split the posts before their team’s fourth goal very nearly arrived.
Once again Sarah Delahunt gathered the ball in midfield before feeding Lucy Dunne wide on the left. She played a clever kick-pass into Niamh Caffrey, who proceeded to advance up the pitch before finding Clodagh Fox. Her initial shot was saved. When the rebound fell to Naoise O’Reilly, her strike off the ground cannoned off the corner of the upright.
They did not have to wait long for that fourth to arrive, however, and once again, it came at the end of a finely worked move. Lucy Dunne regained possession and passed to Niamh Caffrey on the left-hand by-line. She spun off the shoulder of Orna Byrne and moved the ball on to Clodagh Fox, who did the exact same thing to Ashling Mahon before, in a carbon-copy of her first, sent a dipping strike over the head of Emer Miley.
At this point, Pat’s made use of their subs bench and subsequently eased up on Valleymount, offering them a chance to add a bit of gloss to the scoreline. Sive Byrne’s decent finish gave Valleymount a goal for their worthy efforts.
It was the start of a brief golden spell for Valleymount, with Sheena Hubbard, Daisy Dunne, and Lizzy Brophy adding to their points tally. Niamh Caffrey responded with a pair of fine scores, the second a tremendous effort from wide on the
right side. Valleymount responded in fine fashion, with Daisy Dunne producing a terrific score with the outside of her right boot.
Ultimately, though, Pat’s had the final say with their fifth goal of the evening. Consistently a menace up the top end of the park, Clodagh Fox sent a pass down the inside right channel to Niamh Caffrey. After spotting her surging run from deep towards the back post, Caffrey sent the ball across to Lucy Dunne, who fisted it back across the goalkeeper and into the bottom right corner.
It was the final act of a very good performance from Pat’s, and a pulsating offensive performance at that. Silverware at the end of the season will make for a satisfying conclusion for Pat’s, who will only regret that they didn’t show this degree of quality and cutting edge earlier in the championship. For Valleymount, however, they will hope that the match will act as a valuable learning experience for the young side that will gain valuable experience in coming up against a side of such pedigree.
Megan Dunne; Kirsty Dunne, Kate Hennessy, Ellen Griffin; Luci Hobbs, Lucy Dunne (1-0), Leanne O’Neill; Sarah Delahunt (0-3, 1f), Ashling Hayden (1-1); Naoise O’Reilly, Clodagh Fox (2-4), Laura Leonard (0-2); Laura Manley (0-1), Niamh Caffrey (0-4), Saoirse O’Reilly (1-0). Subs: Holly McSorley for L. Manley (35), Molly Hodgkinson for K. Dunne (40), Erin McConnell for E. Griffin (40), Jennifer Madden for L. O’Neill (40), Sophie Porter for N. O’Reilly (40).
Emer Miley; Orna Byrne, Ashling Mahon, Ellen Traynor; Emma Callaghan, Lizzy Brophy (0-1f), Hollie Eve Cullen Dunne; Sive Byrne (1-1), Sheena Hubbard (0-1); Daisy Summer Cullen Dunne (0-3), Amanda Carroll, Shann Rós; Saoirse Ní Thuathail, Claire Miley, Caroline Cahill (0-2). Subs: Amy Allen for H. Dunne (27), Sarah Richardson for O. Byrne (48), Ella Keogh for S. Ní Thuathail (48), Clodagh Brophy for A. Carroll (48). REFEREE: Eamonn Bradley (Tinahely)