Our U16’s played their first game of the year on Friday 21st April in Kells Rd against a good James Stephens side. From the whistle the girls were determined and the hardworking Tara Ronan started off the scoring in the 4th minute with a point from play. James Stephens replied with a goal and a point but the girls bounced back and Katie Brennan scored a goal of her own.
James Stephens won the puck out and scored their second point of the game. The next thirteen minutes were dominated by the girls with points coming from Caragh Keating and Katie. They also had two more opportunities but both went wide. Great clearances by the half back line of Kelly Lanigan, Roisin Casey and Lucy Egan meant James Stephens didn’t score again until the 27th minute when they got two points straight after each other. A great block and clearance from the talented Ellie O’Neill in goal denied them the lead. Tara finished off the half with another point which left the score level on 1-4 to 1-4 at the break.
James Stephens were first off the mark in the second half with a goal chance which was denied by a square ball but soon after they got their second goal after finding a gap in the St. Brigid’s backs. The girls came fighting back and got a further 1-2 in the next five minutes. James Stephens came back with another point but a ball which was worked right up from the corner backs was sent into Molly Butler and she put it over the bar for St. Brigid’s seventh point. James Stephens came back attacking and managed another 1-3 which left the girls trailing by two goals. St. Brigid’s didn’t give up though and Katie scored another goal to bring it back to three but in the 29th minute the opposition got through for a handpassed goal. Again, the ball was worked up the field and Molly finished with a well taken goal. Unfortunately, the whistle blew and at full time the girls were a goal behind, final score was 5-7 to 4-7. It was a well fought game and the girls pulled off some great scores and missed other opportunities but it is clear it will be a good year for this group of girls.
Team as follows: Ellie O’Neill, Shona O’Brien, Faith Delaney, Ava Murphy, Kelly Lanigan, Roisin Casey, Lucy Egan, Katie Brennan, Isabel Caldbeck, Kate Everard, Tara Ronan, Margaret Maher, Molly Butler, Caragh Keating, Sarah Harrison.
Subs: Abby O’Keefe for Kelly Lanigan, Reece Delaney for Sarah Harrison, Ciara Wall, Abbie O’Neill, Suzy Kelly, Katie Dunne.