Blessington in super form
BLESSINGTON CLARA 5-17 2-3
BLESSINGTON dominated this game played in Roundwood on Sunday morning last in the SFC ‘B’ Championship. Blessington were 1-5 to 0-1 in front after 15 minutes thanks to an Ellen Quinn goal following a great move involving Niamh Cullen and Maura Reid.
The Blessington girls went on to lead 1-10 to 0-2 at half-time and the lead might have been greater but for three excellent saves by Clara keeper Aoife Byrne from Shona O’Connor, Anna Vas and Shauna Byrne.
The Clara cause was not helped by two yellow cards in the first half for a team already short the services of Katie Miley, Lara Clark, Anna Cullen and Naoise Baker. Maria Hogan and Ava Carter picked up the first half points for Clara. Blessington’s Anna Vas also received a yellow card in the first half.
The Blessington girls continued in the same form as the first and might have had an early second half goal except for a great save from Maria Hogan deputising for the yellow carded Aoife Byrne in goal.
Goals however, did follow quickly from Roisin Ellis and Mollie Cullen and fifteen minutes into the second half the Blessington girls led 4-15 to 0-3, Lauren Kennedy picking up a point for Clara.
Clara battled right to the end and were rewarded with two consolation goals from Heather Cullen and Sarah Miley in a match where the Blessington girls went on to win comfortably 5-17 to 2-3.
Two experienced players on either side retired injured during the game, Eimear Doyle (Clara) and Maura Reid (Blessington), a quick return to both.
Kim Connors; Alannah McMahon, Shauna Byrne (1-0), Sophie Cronin; Ellie McKeever, Niamh Cullen (0-1), Emma Reid; Shona O’Connor, Anna Vas (0-1); Jessica Carroll (0-4), Mollie Cullen (1-7), Evin Keane; Maura Reid, Roisin Ellis (1-3) , Ellen Quinn (1-1). Subs: Rachel Hanlon (1-1), Mollie Behan, Siobhan McGinley, Sarah Peppard.
Aoife Byrne; Trish Byrne, Eimear Doyle, Nicola Schuster; Kate Kennedy, Samantha McCoy, Emer Byrne; Heather Cullen (1-0), Sarah Miley (1-0); Ava Carter (0-1), Caitlin Houlihan, Orla Byrne; Sue Brady, Kerrianne Murphy, Maria Hogan (0-1). Subs: Kerrie Dunne, Lauren Kennedy (0-1).
Blessington: Clara: