Ballythomas were brilliant
BALLYTHOMAS GLYNN 2-7 0-0
A POWER-PACKED first-half set up Ballythomas for a convincing victory over a gallant Glynn in this Allianz Rackard League girls’ football mini-sevens final in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on Wednesday.
The excellent outfield play of Anna Hughes and Bebhinn McDonald helped set up this victory as they were the dominant players through the opening half.
They pinned the Glynn girls back at every opportunity, and Carol Roche was excellent in the last line of defence for the losers, with her timely interceptions and astute play denying the opposition more scores.
Despite the scoreline, this sevens final was still a fantastic advertisement for girls’ football, as the play after that initial opening began to flow from end to end. The extra attacking quality of the Ballythomas girls saw them through to an historic victory.
The win was special in so many ways, as it was the school’s third successive mini-sevens girls’ title.
And one of their outstanding players, Bebhinn McDonald, has now figured in all three successes which in itself is a remarkable achievement.
For the Glynn girls it simply did not work out. While they defended admirably, with ‘keeper Jelena McNamara making some outstanding saves through the course of the 20 minutes, they lacked the penetration in attack to break down a defence where Thomasina Carter was simply outstanding.
The game was just one minute old when Neassa Ní Lúasaigh broke clear of the defence, but McNamara did excellently to deflect what appeared a goalbound shot around the post for a ’45 that Carter pointed.
Two minutes later it was the turn of Beibhinn McDonald to kick over an excellent point, with the same player then making considerable ground to split the posts for an excellent point from 25 metres.
Glynn began to work their way more into the game, but when Rachel Whelan broke in on goal she saw her shot saved by ‘keeper Caoimhe Noblett, while minutes later they had a further effort which just went the wrong side of the right-hand post.
With Neassa Ní Lúasaigh known for her accuracy, it was no surprise when she got the game’s opening goal two minutes before the break.
After Beibhinn McDonald saw her goal attempt excellently saved by Jelena McNamara, Ní Lúasaigh gathered the breaking ball to fire high into the net from twelve metres.
The Hollyfort girls were now doing most of the attacking, and it was fitting that it was McDonald (free) and Anna Hughes, with a good run and finish, completed the scoring to leave them leading by 1-5 to nil at the interval.
Glynn tried hard on the resumption to haul themselves back into the game, but the scores simply would not come, while at the opposite end their ‘keeper, Jelena McNamara, denied both McDonald and Hughes with top-class saves.
Edie Byrne extended her side’s lead with a neat point, while two minutes from the end McDonald worked herself into space before pointing.
Glynn, despite some heroic efforts, were unable to break down the opposing defence, and Ballythomas closed out the scoring with a tremendous late McDonald goal to give her side a decisive victory.
Ballythomas: Caoimhe Noblett, Thomasina Carter (0-1 ’45), Rachel Boland, Anna Hughes (0-1), Bebhinn McDonald (1-4, 0-1 free), Neassa Ní Lúasaigh (1-0), Edie Byrne (0-1). Subs. - Caoimhe McGonigle, Imogen Rooney.
Glynn: Jelena McNamara, Shannon Codd, Carol Roche, Layla Stafford, Rachel Cullen, Rachel Whelan, Cara Kelly. Subs. - Sadbh Bannington, Molly Donoghue, Isabelle O’Doherty, Aine Ryan, Ella Codd.
Referee: Dickie Murphy (Starlights).