Senior girls prevail despite difficult conditions and an intense physical battle against visitors Oaklands CC.
Match Report by Calvin Boyle, Conor Dean & Thomas Kenny
The game got off to an exciting start as a superb team goal, finished by Scoil Dara’s Eva Gannon, gives the hosts an early lead. Followed immediately by Oaklands surging forward on what looked to be a promising attack, only to be halted by Scoil Dara goalkeeper, Lauren McGuinness. This was shaping up to be a very even game with both sides showing their teeth early on. The swift start was followed by a period of end to end football which came to a close 16 minutes in when Oaklands earned their opening point of the game. The Scoil Dara lead was reduced to just one point when the visitors slotted a free kick over the black spot.
The game came alive when the ball bobbled it’s way to an Oaklands forward who grabbed a goal to put her team in front for the first time in the game with just under 6 minutes left until the halfway mark. Eva Gannon responded by skipping past her marker and comfortably curling the ball over the bar. The last action of the half rolled around when Eva Gannon scored a free kick and Eva Foran added another in the same minute to assert a half time lead for the home team.
Half Time :Scoil Dara 1-03
The second half commenced with Gemma Downing claiming the ball right from the throw up for Scoil Dara, driving forward and punting an excellent pass inside to captain, Kate Heraghty. A great attacking play unfolded with Kate and Gemma continuing to cut the defence open with a series of quick give and go passes. Unfortunately, the attack didn’t get the ending it deserved, strong winds took the end shot off target. The resulting kickout was turned over by Gemma Downing who was then fouled on her path to goal. The converted free gave Scoil Dara the introductory score of the second half. However, Oaklands proved relentless, working their way down the pitch and firing a shot into the bottom corner which was looking promising until goalkeeper Lauren McGuinness pulled off a superb save, clawing the ball dramatically away. The ball was then picked up by Breffni Nolan who done very well to clear the lines after powering beyond multiple tackles.
14 minutes in, a high pass rained in on the Oaklands full back line and after a wild scramble close to goal, Kate Heraghty forced itinto the net to give Scoil Dara a 4-point lead. Breffni Nolan upped the gears and made two huge blocks at crucial moments to keep Oaklands at bay. With three minutes left and 3 points in it, Oaklands were hungry for a goal, they moved the ball methodically until their chance came. The ball came rattling out off the crossbar as fast as it went in. A sigh of relief could be felt on the pitch as, yet again, Breffni Nolan cleared the loose ball. The final whistle blew confirming a spot in the quarter final for Scoil Dara following a hard-fought win.
Congratulations to all involved and best of luck to the team in the quarter final.
Scoil Dara:
Roisin Beggan, Ellie Carroll, Sorcha Dwyer, Maebh Grogan, Kate Heraghty, Emma Kennedy, Lucy O’Shea, Anna Rose Cassidy, Emily Connolly, Holly Loughrey, Naoise Mulligan, Georgia Bermingham, Louise Cramer, Alex Dalton, Gemma Downing, Lauren Dunne, Lila Kate Finn, Saoirse Hoolan, Aisling Keogh, Orla Madden, Penny Smith, Rose Wynne, Maisie Allen, Eva Foran, Eva Gannon, Saoirse Madden, Breffni Nolan, Clodagh Thornton, Lauren McGuinness.