Titles for Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn and Ardfert

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 2 Final

ON Tuesday, May 27, Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn played Scoil Mhuire, Presentation Convent Primary Casteisland in the Division 2 Urban Final, of the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol girls competition.

GSME started the opening half brightly with some great scores by Aoife Ní Dhuilleáin, Mary Ní Chonaill, Laoise Ní Dhulchaointigh and Abí Ní Chathasaigh. The Gaelscoil defenders were tenacious keeping the ball away from the danger zone at all costs. The Goalkeeper Bríd Sionóid made some great saves and her kick outs were precise. Castleisland produced some scoring changes in the first half but were unlucky on each occasion.

The score at half time was GSME 3-6, Castleisland 01. With the wind at their sails in the second half, Castleisland had some great opportunities, however, the stern GSME defence kept them at bay. Further scores in the second half by Caragh Ní Néíll, Ciara de Ráth and inspirational Captain Mary Ní Chonaill, who will be playing in Croke Park on All Ireland Final Day. Best for Castleisland were Gemma Harney, Emma O’Reagan and Clodagh Swanser. Every girl on the GSME team were outstanding but special mention must go to Gráinne Ní Mhóchóir, Amy Ní Mháirtín, Clodagh Ní Chonchúir, Mary Ní Chonaill, Abi Ní Chathasaigh and the very impressive Aoife Ní Dhuilleáin. This was a great team display by GSME who were previously victorious in the Mini Sevens Competition in March. Bliain iontach ag cailíní na Gaelscoile.

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Girl’s Football

ARDFERT girls faced Lissivigeen NS Killarney in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Girl’s Football Division 3 Urban final in Austin Stacks Park Tralee. Lissivigeen were first to attack and Ardfert were fortunate that two of their scoring efforts were kept out first by the crossbar and then by the upright.

Credit too to defenders Jessica Murphy, Kate O’Shea and Shannon Ward were excellent during this open period of play. Through outstanding midfielders Ciara McCarthy and Clodagh Kirby Ardfert were now winning more possession and from their first attack Caityln Brick fired home the opening score a fantastic goal. The Lissivigeen response was immediate and full forward Kate Lynch scored a fine goal to equalise. Lively midfielder Elizabeth Stack added a well taken point to put the Killarney girls in front. Sinéad O’Mahony powered forward for Ardfert and following an excellent interchange between Eimear O’Sullivan and Mairéad Kearney the latter sent a pile driver to the Killarney net to give Ardfert the lead once more. Lissivigeen responded once more and their outstanding midfielder Mairéad Bennett rattled the Ardfert with a crushing shot which gave Orlaith Doyle no chance in the Ardfert goal. On the stroke of half time Kate O’Shea now operating at midfield was hauled down as she bore down on goal and from the resultant free Mairéad Kearney equalised to leave the half time score 2-1 apiece.

The opening period of the second half was dominated by Lissivigeen in this enthralling Allianz Cumann na mBunscol final. But when Ardfert eventually got ball into full forward Ciara McCarthy she burst past her marker to send an unstoppable shot past the Lissivigeen goalkeeper. From the resultant kick out Caityln Brick won possession weaved past her marker and sent a pin pointed pass to Ciara McCarthy who shot an excellent point. Lively Lissivigeen pressed forward in search of scores but Mairéad Kearney now at fullback Jessica Murphy, Gráinne Raggett and Sinéad O’Mahony repelled those raids. Clodagh Kirby and Kate O’Shea linked well at midfield and Ciara McCarthy landed two more goals to the delight of the Ardfert supporters. In the final attack Cloe Casey’s shot came back off the upright. Sarah Lawor was first to react and sent the ball crashing to the net to leave the final score Ardfert 6-3 Lissivigeen 2-1.

Lisivigeen had top performances from scorers mentioned and Aisling Coughlan, Maeve Fitzpatrick and Rhiannon Butler. For Ardfert thay had top performances for all.

A happy Allianz Cumann na mBunscol chairman Tomás ó hAiniféin called on joint captains Ciara McCarthy and Sinéad O’Mahony to accept the trophy from Kerry legend Mary Jo Curran on the podium at Austin Stacks Park Tralee. Ardfert: Orlaith Doyle, Kate O’Shea, Jessica Murphy, Shonnon Ward, Sinéad O’Mahony, Erin Griffin, Ciara McCarthy, Clodagh Kirby, Gráinne Raggett, Caitlyn Brick, Claire Moriarty, Chloe Casey, Mairéad Kearney, Eimear O’Sullivan, Claudia Murphy, Ellie Fox, Clóda O’Loughlin, Sarah Lawlor, Sarah Egan, Joy Murphy, Ciara Houlihan, Sadhb Stack, Ali Cavanagh, Abby Duggan Lisivigeen: Linda Taylor, Marie Courtney, Louise Healy, Grace Courtney, Aisling Coughlan, Maeve Fitzmartin, Mairead Bennett, Elizabeth Stack, Lauren O’Connor, Rhiannon Butler, Kate Nash, Kate Lynch, Orla Cronin, Rachel Healy, Ellen Hickey, Hazel Riordan, Alisia O’Sullivan