St Kevin’s girls battle hard to gain a sweet success

ST KEVIN’S 3-10 KILKERLEY/D’HILL 2-7 ST. Kevins took the Division 2 League title afte a hard-fought six point victory over the Dowdallshill/Kilkerley selection in Tallanstown on Sunday. The win all the sweeter after an agonising one point defeat to St.Fechin’s in the 2016 final.

They had to work hard for this success as the combination outfit played with conviction and plenty of quality but in the end Paddy Gregory’s charges were fully deserving of their win.

Indeed it was the underdogs who took an early lead when Jade McKeown fired over after just twenty seconds, but the mid-Louth side replied with points from Paula Murray and Susan Byrne to lead 2-1 by the fifth minute.

Kevin’s then took a firm grip on the tie as they hit two goals in as many minutes the first as Susan Byrne saw her penalty find the corner of the net despite the best efforts of Una Pearson who got a hand to the shot but couldn’t prevent it going over the line, and then a brilliant Paula Murray goal as her superb shot flew high into the net from 25 metres.

For the next five minutes the Kevin’s put the Kilkerley/D’Hill goal under siege with Katie Matthews hitting a post and Una Pearson denying both Grainne Murray and Claire Bolger with fine saves.

A Katie Matthews point made it 2-03 to 0-02 after 17 minutes, but a Caragh Brady point heralded a the start of a strong Kilkerley/D’Hill comeback.

They were given a boost as referee Paul Burke awarded them a penalty for a foot-block on Brady with Emma Singleton blasting the spot kick to the net.

Further points by the impressive Caragh Brady (2) and Leah Hoey left the sides level 2-3 to 1-6 at the break

Kevin’s resumed in determined fashion and were back in front when county star Paula Murray took a pass from Eleanor Smyth and fired a fantastic shot past Una Pearson from some 30 yards.

Further points from Byrne (3), Murray (1 )and Maguire (1) gave the Philipstown girls a commanding 3-08 to 1-07 lead mid-way through the half.

Never say die Kilkerley/D’Hill were thrown a lifeline as Emma Singleton powerfully burst through the defence and buried a low shot to back of the net.

A composed Kevins replied with points of their own from county stars Aoife Gregory and Paula Murray to ensure the win. ST. Kevin’s: Cliodhna Duffy, Laura Butterly, Sarah Mulroy, Donna Farrely, Courtney Dowling, Eimear Murray, Caoimhe Matthews, Eleanor Smyth, Susan Byrne 1-04, Grainne Murray, Aoife Gregory 0-01, Katie Matthews 0-01, Claire Bolger, Paula Murray 2-03, Ellen Butterly. Subs used: Roisin Maguire 0-01, Alanna Dowling and Niamh Murray

KILKERLEY/DOWDALLSHILL: Una Pearson, Pamela McDonnell, Aideen McGahon, Fiona Lennon, Janine Kelly, Carrie Keenan, Emma Singleton 2-01, Sinead Woods, Jade McKeown 0-1, Claire Lennon, Rachel McNally, Leah Hoey 0-01, Emily Norton, Caragh Brady 0-04.