PEIL Na gCAILN: Our U-12 girls had a great win over Carnew in the U-12 B Championship final played in Ballinakill on Sunday after giving in the process what must count as one of their best performances of the year to date. Having played with the wind and the pitchs slight incline ire g led at the break 2-5 to 0-2. Not a lead which would have inspired complacency since they would be facing both wind and slope in the second-half.
Carnew attacked from the throw-in at the resumption but the defence of Sophie Dallaghan, Siobhn Darcy and Ciara ONeill ably marshalled by outstanding goalkeeper Ella OReilly held fast and prevented their opponents from making serious inroads into the Clocha Liatha lead.
The centre-field pairing of Maedhbh ONeill and Eva Sterritt (1-1) dominated the middle third for most of the game and delivered plenty of quality ball to the lively forward division of Aisling Roche (3-1), Jayne Merren (2-3), Abbie Smullen (1-1), Ellen Phelan (0-1) Aleesha Campbell and Sarah Doyle.
The Greystones girls scored only 7 times in the second period but crucially 5 of these were goals and therein lay their victory. Other girls who played a part in the teams march to this success were Lauren Howard, Katie Power, Ella Hanlon, Sophie Keddy, Alex and Julie Rose OBrien, Alex Mulcahy and Molly Lampson.
At the end of the game Captain and star player Jayne Merran (Jayne had played for Wicklow U-12s the previous day) accepted the trophy on behalf of the team in front of a large crowd of jubilant supporters. Seamus Ahern was delighted at the number of Greystones people who had travelled to Ballinakill to encourage the girls.
JUNIORS: Unfortunately for our Junior- A team it is its lot to forever plough an unglamorous furrow in the shadow of its senior counterparts, yet, its role is critical to the sustainability of the Clubs flagship.
Besides being a stepping-stone in the graduation of underage players to the elite ranks it helps to keep those on the periphery, and who are essential to the fulfilling of league fixtures etc., interested. The threat of the squad being poached for players by the seniors places the management at a great disadvantage vis–vis Junior- A only clubs. Not alone is it difficult for them to develop a game-to-game strategy but they are also faced with the prospect of the squad becoming emasculated as the season progresses. A scenario unlikely to have a line of candidates for the position of Junior A Manager knocking on the Clubs door so timd an-bhuoch do Eddie Davis, with some assistance from Johnny Barry, for having guided the team through their 2016 campaign.
The teams season was of the curates-egg variety so it is pleasing to report that it exited the Championship scene with one of its better performances.
It was beaten 1-09 to 1-07 by Ashford but only after having put the odds-on favourites to the pins of their collars. ire g played against the wind in the first-half yet we were the first to score – a free by James Smullen. However, for the remainder of the 30 mins, scores were as hens teeth. Ashford didnt score, (if their wides are excluded) after the 12th minute and ire g failed to put the ball between the posts for the last 10. The score at the break was 0-4 to 0-2 in ire gs favour. As you can imagine, hardly stuff to send pulses racing.
No doubt the reality of the do-or-die status of the match was driven home to both sides during the interval because they returned in a much more competitive frame of mind.
The second period proved to be hugely exciting. The two teams burst into action from the off, scores were exchanged on a regular basis and a marginal lead oscillated between the sides.
The scene was set for a nail-biting finish 9 minutes from the end when ire g took a 2 point lead courtesy of Anto Byrne who guided an elegantly delivered Daniel Webb ball to the opponents net.
Ashford responded vigorously and immediately put the ire g defence under severe pressure but it showed no signs of relenting and a Greystones victory looked on the cards. Then misfortune strikes. An attempted ire g clearance is blocked down, the ball breaks kindly for an Ashford forward who hammers it to the net. This was soon followed by a point and our lads fate was sealed.
Comhgirdeachas to Diarmuid Potts and his u-12 hurlers who scored a dramatic win 2-02 to 1-04 over Arklow Rock Parnells in the final of the mini-festival held in Ballinakill. This was a victory from which the lads could derive much satisfaction as ARP were one of the form teams in the league. The winning score was a last minute point from a free scored by a cool-as-a-cucumber Oisn Shanahan.
To our u-14 footballers who advanced to the later stages of the championship by virtue of a 6-14 to 2-15 win over Baltinglass.
To the senior footballers who recovered their mojo, after their disappointing 1 point loss away to Tinahely, to register a 3-10 to 2-05 victory at home over Kiltegan in the Keating Trophy. We send our best wishes to dual players Billy Cuddihy and Peter Keane who received sidelining injuries against Tinahely.
Comhbhrn to our minor footballers who bowed out of the championship as a result of a 2-13 to 0-11 loss to Avondale in Rathnew.
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