U14 Town League Div 1 Shield Final: Austin Stacks 5-8 (23) Kerins O’Rahillys 2-4 (10)
The U14 Town League Div 1 Shield final was played under lights this evening (Nov 7th) at John Mitchels pitch. Stacks opened very smartly and had raced into a 4 point lead, 3 pointed frees scored by Heather Mac Namara & a point from play by Roisin Coffey, before Kerins O’Rahilly’s got going and replied with 1-2 of their own. Their 1 point lead was short lived however as the Stacks girls took the game by the scruff of the neck with Ali Lane kicking a beautiful point from play which was quickly followed up by a goal from the on fire Heather Mac Namara. A high ball kicked in by the hard working Eimear O’Sullivan deceived the Kerins O’Rahilly’s keeper and dipped in for the Stacks 2nd goal of the evening. The half finished as it started with a pointed free by Heather to leave the HT score Stacks 2-6 (12) KOR 1-3 (6).
At the resumption of the 2nd half both sides exchanged points, Stacks score coming from Roisin Coffey who had a tremendous game. The night had turned cold and a heavy shower threatened to spoil the game but Stacks kept pushing forward and were rewarded for all their efforts by winning a penalty after Heather was fouled in the square. The same player duly stepped up to take the kick and found the net from the rebounding save. Kerins O’Rahillys to their credit never gave up and worked a fine move up the pitch to score a goal of their own. This would be their final score of the evening which just goes to prove how well our defence played throughout the hour. The Stacks girls finished with great style, as we saw another pointed free from Heather to bring her personal tally to 3-5 for the evening before the biggest cheer of the night was left for the simply brilliant Ella Breen who capped a great evening with a goal of her own.
Referee John Ross blew for full time just as a heavy shower of rain and hail came down but nothing could dampen the spirits of the victorious ‘Rockettes’. Town Board Secretary ,Frank Mc Loughlin, made the winning presentation to captains Heather Mac Namara & Roisin Coffey. Kerins O’Rahillys could not have been more gracious in defeat and we were most appreciative of their kind words and congratulations to our team. Darragh Long & Peter Breen both addressed the team and thanked them for their hard work and dedication throughout the year – the season had its share of ups and downs but there was no doubting the talent and potential of the team and all the girls were urged to stick with it, keep training, stay united and continue to represent their club. Special thanks was reserved for Caroline O’Mahony & Gillian Healy who look after the team so well behind the scenes with half time treats, fresh jerseys, training supervision and lots & lots of texting. The 2 ladies look after it all and their contribution to the team is enormous. So well done everyone on a great end to a very long season. Enjoy the break, we will have an awards evening & medal presentation in the club during December.
Tonights Team: Chloe Fitzpatrick, Eimear Litchfield, Clodagh Murray, Róise O Donnell, Bronagh Kelliher, Sara Lucid, Aoife O’Rourke, Heather Mac Namara (3-5), Grace O’Connor, Grace O’Mahony, Ali Lane (0-1), Laura O’Halloran, Ella Breen (1-0), Roisin Coffey (0-2), Brenda Devane, Eimear O’Sullivan (1-0). Missing Through injury – Lara Flynn, Nicole O Mahony & Grainne Carmody.
