Annascaul/Castlrgregory Claim Division 2 Title

Annascaul /Castlegregory 5-8

Castleisland Desmonds 4-7.

With other results going both the above teams way,this Division 2 final was played in an immaculate Annascaul pitch. A/C settled well with the breeze at their backs and raced into a 3point lead :Caoimhe Skinner Leah C wit 2 quickfire points. Saoirse Brosnan placed beautifully for a goal and another point from the hard running Leah gave us a great start. Desmonds now hit their purple patch and despite some great play by our backs Orla Curran,Caoimhe Cawley, Tara Laide and Molly McCarthy, and two super saves from keeper Beatrice Dowling, the visitors stole in for 1-2 to leave the score at the first water break A/C 1-4 Castleisland 1-2.

A/C with Alanna Griffin, Caoimhe Skinner & Niamh O Callaghan supplying good ball,the forwards Lily Falvey,Lia Sheehy helped set up scores for a Keelin point and a Sharon Enright goal to leave it : A/C 2-5 Castleisland 1-2 at half time.

The second half was nip and tuck with both teams kicking some excellent scores. Castleisland played some delightful football and tagged on 2-2. But score of the game came after some great team defensive work forced a turnover and Niamh O Callaghan burst out of defence, fed Caoimhe Skinner who whipped it up to Aoibhinn O Callaghan at half forward. She used her pace and cleverly found our goal machine Sharon,who doesn’t need 2nd invitations, and she crashed home to the delight of the big home crowd. Game back on now. Co captains Keelin and Molly Mc led the charge and Aoibhinn assisted scores for Lea C and Caoimhe Skinner to leave the score at the second water break :A/C 4-6 Castleisland 3-5.

Desmonds upped the ante again in the final quarter with a goal and a point ,all to play for now. But A/C’s great battle with Moyvane earlier in the week stood to them and they refused to be beaten. Caoimhe Cawley,Orla and Tara with a great steal saw the ball moved up the field quickly where Keelin kicked a massive score. A/C 4-7 Desmonds 4-5 with 5mins to play. The girls from the West finished stronger,Orla marched out from the backs and the ball ended up with the elusive Saoirse Brosnan who side stepped her way through for a huge goal. Desmonds kicked a point before Leah Courtney kicked the final score for a narrow 4point victory.

A great bunch of girls to work with as all of them create plenty of competition with great in house games amongst them.

Panel:Sinead O Connell, Amy Kennedy, Caoimhe Curran, Liwia Polanczick,Annie O Brien,Lia Sheehy,Lily Falvey, Tara Laide,Saoirse Brosnan, Aoife Kennedy,Chloe Passaway,Muireann,Meighan,Sharon Enright,Rachel Heasman, Leah Courtney, Caoimhe Skinner,Beatrice Dowling,Emily Fitzgerald, Andrea Fitzgerald, Maria Keane,Sadbh Moynihan, Lauren Foley,Jenna Crean ,Alanna Griffin,Niamh & Aoibhinn O Callaghan and Joint Captains Molly McCarthy and Keelin Clifford.

Thanks to Castleisland Desmonds for a mighty game and to ref Sharon Roche who let the game flow and for making the presentation afterwards. Thanks to Annascaul pitch committee for having the field in great shape. Thanks to Conor Slattery and Katrina Meighan for their work behind the scenes. Thanks to all the parents who travel and support the girls esp those who help out in training, in particular Neil Sheehy and Brendan Falvey who always help out as umpires in particular. Final thanks to Coaches Mairead Clifford, Katherine Syme Skinner,the hard working Paddy Curran and Ger O Callaghan.