Ahane 4-2 Ballylanders 2-2
Ahane U12 girls did the parish proud this evening with a well deserved win against a sporting Ballylanders side. Played in brilliant sunshine in Newgarden our girls dominated to lead 2-1 to 1-2 at the interval, then with the aid of the second half breeze they added another two goals and a point and held Ballylanders to a solitary goal to win on a final scoreline 4-2 to 2-2. Ahane were first to score when Aoife Quinn kicked 30m up field, Aine Reynolds gained possession, soloed and crashed the ball to the back of the net to open our account. Ballylanders fought back and were rewarded with a well taken point from play to narrow the deficit to two. We continued to dominate but kicked three wides before Aine Reynolds converted a free to add another point. Bally responded with another long range point. Five minutes before half time Aoife Quinn and Siofra Keane set up Aine Reynolds to score her second goal. Ballylanders kept plugging away and pounced on a mix-up in the Ahane defence to score a vital goal on the stroke of half time. 2-1 to 1-2 to Ahane at the break.
Ahane continued in determined mood in the second half; Kathleen Conway, Ashling Herbert and Emily Knapp, came on for the hardworking trio Christine O’ Grady, Sine Hartigan and Emer Kenny. Within a minute of the restart Siofra Keane landed a long range point after a good pass from Aine Reynolds to extend Ahanes lead to three points. Despite being completely on top in the opening quarter of this half our girls hit a succession of wides, the easiest of these being a 13m free in front of goal after Aimee Griffin was fouled in possession. Nevertheless our girls continued to win the contest in the middle of the park and after Siofra Keane was fouled Aoife Quinn stepped up to kick a speculative free 40m which lobbed the Bally keeper. Ahane now had a six point lead and this spurred Bally into action and were denied a good chance of a goal to put them back in the game when the ball went narrowly wide. Ahane were soon on the attack and Aimee Griffin found the back of the net after cleverly sidestepping the Bally defence to slide the ball home. The same player and Aine Reynolds kicked narrowly wide. Then in the final minute Bally stormed up the pitch and drew a free 30m from goal. The quickly struck free lobbed the defence to find the back of the Ahane net. Time however was up and our girls were deserved winners 4-2 to 2-2.
Panel:
Our U12 girls have now recorded three victories in their last four outings and they are improving with every game. Katie Molly back from injury was outstanding in goal and was well assisted by Roisin Clothier, Niamh Martin and Rachael Ryan in the full back line. Christine O’ Grady, Aoife Quinn dominated as half backs, Siofra Keane (0-1) and Aine O’ Curry ruled the roost at midfield. In attack Aine Reynolds (2-1) and Aimee Griffin (1-0) were formidable and a constant thorn in the Bally defence and our full forward line consisting of Emer Kenny, Catriona O’ Halloran and Sine Hartigan worked tirelessly throughout. Kathleen Conway, Aoife O’Halloran, Emily Knapp and Ashling Herbert all came on and contributed to this victory.
Many thanks to referee Mark Brophy who in this authors opinion had a very good game, and, in particular his application of the advantage rule kept the game flowing and fair.
U12 Ahane Girls Football Team 23-Apr-2010
