Under 16 league play-off – Saturday 22nd October :
Brídíní Óga Glenravel 6-3 Gort na Móna/ Sarsfield’s 3-5
DOUBLE strikes for goals early in each half saw Brídíní Óga Glenravel claim their first under 16 league title in nine years in Glengormley on Saturday.
The first half goals came within 60 seconds of each other and right after Demi McGreevy deflected a shot past Catherine Irvine to put Gort na Móna / Sarsfield’s four points up. For the rest of the half, the Glenravel girls, playing into the breeze, were able to stay ahead.
Then within three minutes of the start of the second half two goals from Emer Donnelly put them really in control and their defence dug in to prevent the Belfast combination coming back at them.
The Glenravel defence was under a lot of pressure, particularly during the opening half, and Catherine Irvine did well under the dropping ball while her full-back line crowded out their opponents to keep the score down.
Eva Woulahan had her best game to date, while Emer McCann and Lucia McQuillan cleared a lot ball as well. Clara O’Neill came off the bench for the injured Cliona McBride and also put in a good shift.
In the middle of the field the work-rate of Orlaith Gould and Leona Gillan was impressive against two similar players in Darcy Ward and Orla McNulty with Aimee Ferris in quick to pick up any loose ball.
Up front Anna O’Kane was the key player for the winners, well supported by her team-mates who had a great battle with Orlaith Crothers, Casey Meigh, Chloe Lennon and Connla Molloy before the latter moved up front with her team chasing the game.
In the early stages, Gort/Sars were the dominant team and they applied pressure on the Brídíní Óga goals. Aimee Ferris pointed a free and then her shot from distance was deflected into the net.
The country girls needed a lift and they got it immediately with Sorcha Carey breaking free to shoot to the net. A minute later Emer Donnelly was on hand to poke the sliotar to the net from the edge of the area.
That all happened during the first ten minutes and, although there was plenty of pressure around both goals for the rest of the half, there were not too many more scores and Brídíní Óga turned around with a narrow lead, 2-1 to 1-3.
That all changed within a couple of minutes of the re-start with Emer Donnelly completing her hat-trick and in the process putting her team firmly in charge of the game – even though Aimee Ferris ran through to shoot a goal for her side in reply.
Anna O’Kane frees kept the score-board ticking before Emma McKeown’s shot for a point from a narrow angle somehow ended in the back of the net after 50 minutes.
Again Gort/Sars responded with a goal from Rhianna Morten, but when Anna O’Kane’s 45 went all the way to the net, the Eleanor McConville Shield was on its way to the tenth glen for the first time since 2013. Incidentally coach Lauren Edgar was on the first Brídíní Óga team to collect the Shield nine years ago.
Credit though to both teams who have had a great year and coming into this game, they had a win each in the head-to-head.
Brídíní Óga: Cathrine Irvine, Emer Kelly, Hannah McDonnell, Eva Woulahan, Lucia McQuillan, Emer McCann j-capt, Cliona McBride j-capt, Orlaith Gould, Leona Gillan, Emma McKeown 1-0, Katie McDonnell, Anna O’Kane 1-3, 1-2 frees, Sorcha Carey 1-0, Emer Donnelly 3-0, Caoimhe McCann.
Subs: Clara O’Neill for C McBride (inj), Orla McDonnell, Lára McDonnell, Kayleigh McMullan, Megan Kelly, Dana McKenna, Megan Kelly, Moya Mulholland, Hannah Kelly
Gort na Móna/Sarsfield’s: Cora Pierce, Aoibh Bradley, Orlaith Crothers, Katie Keraney, Chloe Lennon, Casey Meigh, Connla Molloy, Orla McNulty, Mia Mills, Veronica McVeigh, Aimee Ferris 1-3, 0-2 frees, Darcy Ward 0-1, Demi McGreevey 1-1, Rhianna Morton 1-0, Alex Currie