On Saturday evening last (22nd September) in Freshford, St. Brigid’s took on Dicksboro in the Roinn A U14 County Final. This was the first meeting between the two teams since the Féile Final back in April where Dicksboro came out on top 4-8 to 3-2. Both teams were undefeated in the League Championship coming into this game and had enjoyed big wins in their semi-finals, Dicksboro beat Emeralds 3-15 to 1-5 and St. Brigid’s saw off Glenmore on a scoreline of 6-15 to 1-4.
The game started at a frantic pace and the large crowd were treated to some brilliant skill by both teams. Lauren Ronan settled Brigid’s nerves early on by firing over the game’s first score which was followed quickly by another fine point by full forward Ava Brett.
It was then Dicksboro’s chance to exert pressure on the St. Brigid’s goal and it took some fine defending from the full back line of Sarah Dowling, Robin Delaney and Molly Dunne to keep them at bay.
In the 15th minute St. Brigid’s stepped it up a gear with Claire Doheny and Aoife Power pulling the strings in midfield, the supply of ball in the forwards made for more scores on the board. Ava Brett scored her second which was followed by a super point from Joint Captain Lauren East who was at the end of a well worked team score. Molly Conroy who was working her socks off got on the scoreboard soon after to leave St. Brigid’s with a commanding 0-5 to 0-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Dicksboro were finding it hard to get a foothold on the game with the St. Brigid’s half back line of Katie Maher, Joint Captain Moya O’Brien and Ellie Lanigan completely on top. They did get themselves on the scoreboard in the 25th minute with a fine point from Rose Kelly. From then until the end of the half St. Brigid’s took over again and score 3-1 without reply.
Lauren Ronan shot her second point of the half and Kirsten Cody and Ella Delahunty were causing huge problems in the forward line and the breakthrough came when Ava Brett gathered possession 14 yards from goal, beat her maker and hand passed the ball to the back of the net. Soon after, a shot from Claire Doheny deceived the Dicksboro keeper for another green flag and on the stroke of half time Claire Doheny got her second and St. Brigid’s third goal with a rocket of a shot to the roof of the net to leave the score line at the break 3-6 to 0-1.
More hard work was needed in the second half and from the throw in St. Brigid’s were back in control once again. Lauren East took a quick free from Moya O’Brien to feed Lauren Ronan who scored a beautiful point from the sideline to extend the team’s lead.
Dicksboro to their credit never stopped fighting and scored two points from frees before Ava Brett raised a white flag for the winners after getting on the end of long range free.
Dicksboro knew they needed goals and when Rachel Dowling broke through the St. Brigid’s defence her shot was saved magnificently by Stephaine Brennan in goal. This again raised the strong St. Brigid’s crowd and the players throughout the field. Molly Conroy gave a great ball to Ella Delahunty who passed to Kirsten Cody who fired to the net and this was followed by the team’s 9th point from Lauren Ronan. Ava Brett sealed the victory with a well taken goal in the 28th minute and a famous day for St Brigid’s!!
Full time score:
St Brigid’s 5-9
Dicksboro 0-4
Team and Panel:
Stephaine Brennan, Sarah Dowling, Robin Delaney, Molly Dunne, Katie Maher, Moya O’Brien, Ellie Lanigan, Claire Doheny, Aoife Power, Molly Conroy, Lauren East, Lauren Ronan, Ella Delahunty, Ava Brett, Kirsten Cody, Rachel Ronan, Niamh Hogan, Katie Marnell, Amy Walton, Emma Marnell, Siobhan Kenny, Joanne Brennan, Georgina Casey, Katie Ronan.
