Nesbitt goes nuclear as Bray Emmets topple AGB
A blistering first-half display from Bray Emmets wing forward Emma Nesbitt, during which she scored six goals, was the major reason Bray Emmets defeated AGB in the under-16 ladies football shield final which was played under lights at Ballymoney on Tuesday night last, September 22.
Once the ball was thrown in by referee Eamon Bradley Bray Emmets hit the ground running and had 1-2 on the scoreboard almost before AGB got their hands on the ball.
Katrina Smyth had their opening point straight from the off. Emma Nesbitt had the ball in the
AGB net straight from the kick out and then added a point to leave the visitors 1-2 to nil ahead after just three minutes.
Grace Furlong briefly stopped the rot when she scored the opening AGB point in the fourth minute.
It was a temporary reprieve as Bray kept up the pressure and Emma Nesbitt struck for her sec
ond goal on nine minutes.
A goal by AGB full-forward Erin Barden put a better look on the score board. Bray led by 2-2 to 1-1 at this stage but Emma Nesbitt changed all that in the next five minutes up to the first water break when she scored four goals in a row.
At this stage the Bray girls led by 6-2 to 1-2 with Niamh Geoghegan getting the AGB point. The one-minute water break gave the Arklow mentors a chance to close a few gates at the back. Their changes worked too to the extent that they outscored the Bray side by 0-3 to 0-2 in the remaining period to half-time.
The Arklow scores came from Caoimhe Breslin, Lizzy Burke and Niamh Geoghegan. The Bray scorers were Alana Harrington and Katrina Smyth from a free. Leading at half-time by 6-4 to 1-5 Bray Emmets had a 14-point lead and it was hard to see AGB hauling that back.
Bray began the second half with an Alana Harrington point. AGB responded with two points from Niamh Geoghegan and Lizzie Burke (free).
The Arklow ladies were pushing up field strongly now with
Lizzie Burke very prominent around midfield. Because they were pushing forward so much, Arklow were leaving space at the back. Emma Nesbitt exploited this with another goal after nine minutes.
However, this did not deter AGB. Lizzie Burke scored a goal from a free. Then she scored another from play. A minute later she goals again. Three goals in as many minutes put a different complexion on the game.
Now all the score keepers on the sideline were comparing tallies – what score have you got? Bray were still 7-5 to 4-7 ahead but the game had tightened up.
Emma Nesbitt scored a point and cleverly set up Aoibhe Traynor for another goal. 8-6 to 4-9 but there were more goals to come. Niamh Geoghegan got one from a free and followed with another from play.
However, Emma Nesbitt once again set up a goal for Aoibhe Traynor to leave Bray Emmets worthy winners in the end on a final score of 9-6 to 6-9. The trophy was presented to the winning team by Terry Canavan (Arklow). BRAY EMMETS: Emma Brandon; Arriana Zellar, Laura Doyle, Robyn Lynch; Aoife O’Grady, Erica Brierton, Clodagh O’Keeffe; April Harty, Ailbhe Whittle; Katrina Smyth (0-1), Martha Lackey, Aoibhe Traynor (2-0); Emma Nesbitt (6-3), Alana Harrington (1-2), Anna Craig. Subs: Liah Hansee for April Harty, Caoimhe Hudson for Clodagh O’Keeffe.
Emer Gregory; Laura Prestage, Emer Cullen, Emma Keane; Aine Ni Connaire, Laragh Fennell, Caoimhe Breslin; Lizzy Burke (3-3), Naomi Devereux; Ciara Lancaster, Molly Gartland (1-0), Niamh Geoghegan (1-5); Aoibhe O’Neill, Erin Bardon (1-0), Grace Furlong (0-1). Subs: Hannah O’Sullivan, Hayley Doyle, Kelly Healy, Jodie Weld and Sarah Flusk. REFEREE: Eamon Bradley (Tinahely)