Girls U-16 Divison 2 League Final – Match Report
Davitts and Kiltimagh played a thrilling county U-16 Div 2 League final in Claremorris on Thursday evening, with the Kiltimagh girls edging it, 4-5 to 3-5, in what was a tremendous advertisement for the girls game. Davitts made all the early running, with star forward Ruth Kearns goaling superbly after a minute. Emma Nyland and Laura Corless were winning a lot of ball at midfield and points from Roisin Kearns, Lisa Sheridan, Chloe Dixon and Ruth Kearns and a brilliant goal by Aisling O Connor, after good work by Chloe Stephens, had the Davitts girls ahead, 2-4 to 1-2 at halftime.
Kiltimagh, physically much stronger, began to take control of the game in the second half and the Davitts defence were under severe pressure throughout. Excellent defending by goalie Marie Corless, Aoife McWalter, Laura Waldron, Aisling O Connor, Michelle Waldron and Aoife Ronayne kept Kiltimagh restricted to just two points in the 3rd quarter, but the girls in blue struck two goals in quick succession to take the lead with 13 minutes remaining. Davitts fought back and were awarded a penalty when the excellent Ruth Kearns was crudely grounded after a brilliant run. Laura Corless drove the spot kick narrowly over the crossbar to leave two points in it and within a minute Kearns had goaled again. Kiltimagh didn’t panic however, and a late goal and point sealed victory for them.
Fair play to the Davitts girls for their brave display that saw them come so close to adding an U-16 league title to the U-14 title won two weeks ago. A special word of praise to the management team of Patricia Waldron, Linda Mooney, Veronica Keadin and Michelle Waldron.
Davitts team: Marie Corless, Aoife McWalter, Laura Waldron, Aisling O Connor (1-0), Michelle Waldron, Aoife Ronayne, Emma Nyland, Laura Corless (0-1), Roisin Kearns (0-1), Ruth Kearns (2-1), Chloe Stephens, Lisa Sheridan (0-1), Chloe Dixon (0-1). Subs used: Catherine Prendergast, Cara Sheridan, Siobhan O Gara.
