U12A Girls Football Shield Final Ahane 1-4 Adare 3-3

Ahane started the brighter but spurned a number of chances to take the lead before Adare countered and a fumbled ball ended up in the Ahane net.  Adare encouraged by this score lifted their game and were rewarded with another goal five minutes later. Ahane girls regained the upper hand in the last five minutes of this half and were rewarded with a good point from Aine Reynolds after she was fed a good pass from Catriona O’Halloran. Score at half-time 2-0 to 0-1 to Adare.

Ahane needed a good start in the second half and had a great chance to pull a goal back but Adare’s goal keeper gathered, drove the ball down field and Adare forwards pounced to grab their third goal. How cruel is that! Adare added another minor to give them a commanding nine point lead as the game entered the final quarter. Ahane girls never gave up however and their luck began to turn – just a little.  Catriona O’Halloran was unlucky not to grab a score, then Aine Reynolds was narrowly wide, then Adare keeper made a great save from a Siofra Keane shot that looked destined for the net.  From that kick-out Ahane gained possession and worked the ball to Aine O’ Curry  who kicked over the bar to claim Ahane’s second point. Adare showed they meant business by responding rapidly with another point. Ahane were quickly on the attack however and Aine Reynolds struck another point. This was quickly followed by a point from a converted free by Aoife Quinn. It was all Ahane now but unluckily they drove a couple of kicks wide of the mark. Adare countered to add yet another point. Siofra Keane gained possession and kicked a speculative shot goal-ward which deceived all and ended up in the back of the Adare net. Unfortunately time was running out,  and Adare had withstood the brave Ahane onslaught to finish deserved winners 3-3 to 1-4. Great game girls – well played.

Ahane line out

Robyn Nugent had a good game in goals and was an able deputy for the unfortunate Katie Molly who cried off with a foot injury prior to the game. In the full back line.Niamh Martin and  Niamh O’Curry dominated, harried and chased down every ball that came their way. In the half back line Aoife Quinn (0-1) played a captains part and was outstanding, and made frequent forays up the pitch to get our team on the attack. She had able deputies in half backs Rachael Ryan and  Sine Hartigan who were outstanding. Siofra Keane (1-0) and Aine O’ Curry (0-1) carried the midfield battle and both ran themselves to a standstill in their efforts to get Ahane back on track. In attack Aine Reynolds at center forward was a constant thorn in the Adare defence and Aimee Griffin and Nicole Byrnes never gave in to their opponents. In the full forward line Emer Kenny and Catriona O’Halloran played their hearts out and were unlucky not to score. Christine O’ Grady, Roisin Clothier and Ashling Herbert came on and contributed to Ahanes cause.  For Aoife O’Halloran, Kathleen Conway, Emily Knapp and Sinead Meskell next year will be their time to lead our U12 charge.

Many thanks to manager Breda O’ Halloran and coaches Joe O’Curry and Alice Reynolds who presided over the team this season and special thanks to Mark Brophy who had the field in pristine condition. Lat but not least congratulations to Adare.