Donegal U14 ‘C’ League Final Preview
Aodh Ruadh v Bundoran
at 7.30p.m. on Tuesday 3rd July 2012
In Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon
Aodh Ruadh Squad List:
Kelsie Warren, Lorna Mattews, Leona Cleary, Laoise O’Connor, Laoise Gallagher; Shelly Loughlin, Orlaith Gillespie; Áine Gillespie, Mary Flora Scott, Aoife Bromley, Louise Mahon, Dearbhaille O’Moore, Rebecca Gillespie, Danielle Mc Nulty, Meabh Rooney, Aoife McDevitt, Amiee McCafferty, Rebecca Duffy, Bronagh Kelly, Ellie Gallagher, Tara Duffy, Maura Travers, Roisin Meehan and Roisin Maguire.
Aodh Ruadh Team Management:
Donna Martin, Sarah Patton and Fionnuala Gill
Bundoran Squad List:
Alanah Ward, Tyler Beatie, Caoimhe Page, Chloe Johnston, Casey O Donnell, Aisling McSharry, Michaella O Reilly, Kerri McGloin, Megan McGee, Dervilla Carr, Clare Sherrin, Megan McEniff, Toni Anne McGowan, Rachel Currid, Rachel McGee, Rhona McEniff, Rebecca Duffy, Orla McGrath, Hannah McNulty, Yasmin Mckee, Leah Nolan Doyle, Niamh Sheridan, Aoise McHenry and Charlie Finn.
Bundoran Team Management :
Paul McGee, Hanah Doherty and James Keenan
Path to the final – Aodh Ruadh
The Aodh Ruadh girls kicked off their season away to Four Masters in a tough battle at Tír Chonaill Park. Both teams had periods of dominance in the match but the Donegal Town girls proved too strong overall and ran out winners on a score-line of 2-13 to 3-03. The second match in this group saw another tough assignment for the Erne-siders competing against St. Nauls in Fr. Tierney Park. The visitors started very strongly and outplayed the Ballyshannon girls for most of the first half. The second half saw a much improved performance from the Aodh Ruadh girls but unfortunately it was too little too late and the eventual group winners won on a score-line of 5-05 to 2-03. In the final group game Aodh Ruadh and Bundoran played out a truly gripping game in Ballyshannon which would see Aodh Ruadh win by the narrowest of margins.
Finishing the group in third place saw the Aodh Ruadh girls entered to the C competition. Here they were joined by Glenfinn, Kilcar, and neighbours Bundoran again. An away win against Glenfinn set up confidence again for a tense match against Bundoran in the second game. Though the Aodh Ruadh girls had a few points to spare at the end, in reality it was much tighter in a game which included Bundoran hitting the woodwork on more than one occasion. In the final match Aodh Ruadh beat Kilcar in another close game with a final score-line of 3-12 to 2-09. This win saw the girls top their group and into the County Semi-Final.
Malin awaited the girls in the Semi-Final. This game was played at the neutral venue at the Letterkenny Gaels pitch. Aodh Ruadh started brightly and had built up a good lead at half time. The Malin girls fought bravely in the second half but had too much to do and Aodh Ruadh ran out winners. It wasn’t long until the Ballyshannon girls found out that they would indeed be playing old rivals Bundoran in the County Final. Having already competed in two great matches against each-other in recent months this promises to be an exciting game of football.
Path to the final – Bundoran
BUNDORAN 3-15
KILCAR 1-01
Bundoran first game was home to Kilcar. The seasider’s started the scoring within the first minute of this game and from there never give Kilcar a realistic chance of winning this game. It was an all round team performance with Bundoran’s county star Megan McGee dictating the play at midfield. Toni Anne McGowan’s move from the backline to the forward line was a massive contribution to Bundoran winning this game. Substitute U-12 Rhona McEniff had here debut first game playing at u14 and after a star performance, Rhona became a first team player for the whole season. After beating Kilcar, Bundoran prepared for their next game against their close neighbours and rivals Ballyshannon
BALLYSHANNON 5-12
BUNDORAN 1-12
Bundoran went into Ballyshannon with high hopes of a win as they had only lost by a single point when they teams met in the earlier round. This was not to be the case however when the final whistle blew. Bundoran started the brighter and led by an early goal thanks to a penalty scored by Rachel McGee. This was as good as it was going to get for the team. Bundoran playing without the injuried Megan McGee allowed Ballyshannon’s Orla Gillespie to be Ballyshannon’s play maker causing massive problems in Bundoran’s defence. To add to this, Bundoran star Halfback Aisling McSharry picked up a ankle injury, Toni Anne McGowan struggled with a back injury and Fullback Caoibhe page struggled with a foot injury picked up in the Kilcar game. Midway, the Bundoran sideline gambled by putting on McGee but nearly paid the price when she was fouled and she landed on the already injuried arm. All in all Ballyshannon played the better football on the night and deserved their win.
GLENFIN 2-05
BUNDORAN 2-05
Bundoran travelled to Glenfin knowing a win would almost guarantee a place in the semi finals. Glenfin had different ideas. When the teams lined out Bundoran by size looked the stronger team but this game went to show that size means nothing. Bundoran were missing star Goal keeper Alana ward, Caoimhe Page and Aisling McSharry for this game, three of Bundorans most influential and stronger players. In goals U-12 Aoise McHenry wore the No 1 jersey . Aoise had a n excellent perforance and pulled over two or three crucial saves. Her kickouts were also fantastic. Toni Anne now was back in her familiar full back role and had a busy night defending a small but fast Glenfin forward line. By the second have thanks to excellent play for players like Clare Sherran, Michaella O Reilly & Casey O Donnell it looke like Bundoran were cruising to another easy enough win. On the 4 minute left mark, things were to change. Glenfin scored 2 goals and 2 points to draw the match. Bundoran had fallen asleep. It came down to who was going to win the last kick out and maybe snatch the win. Aoise knew she had to find a Bundoran player. The ball was kicked and thanks to a massive leap Casey O D. reached for the Ball and held on to the Ball until the ref blew the final whisle and Bundoran hung on for a draw.
Bundoran at this stage had just done enough to make it to the semifinal against Letterkenny Gaels
BUNDORAN 8 – 11 LETTERKENNY GAELS 1 – 02 (semi final) The Bundoran U-14 girls team eased passed Letterkenny Gaels to set up a mouth watering Co, Final against Neighbours Aodh Rua. Right from the start Bundoran showed their intent with waves of attacks against the Letterkenny posts. Corner forward Toni Anne McGowan started the scoring in the second min with a fine taken point. Soon this was followed up with another from Mid fielder Megan McGee. The onslaught was never ending for Letterkenny and the only thing keeping them in the game at this early stage was Bundoran’s poor accuracy at shooting. Ten minutes in , it was easy for the spectator to see who was going to win this game. Bundoran were now officially camped in the Letterkenny’s half. Letterkenny still had not made an attack. It was from this moment Bundoran kicked into second gear. Rachel Currid received a great ball form Megan McEniff who’s accuracy in passing the ball shined tonight. Rachel Currid slipped pass her maker and shout the ball .It rebounded of the wood work for Rachel McGee to tap passed the l/kenny keeper for Bundoran‘s first goal. The Bundoran forwards poor accuracy issues ended after the goal, Scores started to come from Dervla Carr, Clare Sherrin, and soon all six forwards were on the score sheet. The Letterkenny girls just could not deal with the Bundoran’s hunger. Megan McEniff’s individual run taking on numerous backs was stopped only for a penality to be given as she was fouled in the square. Rachel Currid stepped up and made no mistake with a stike to the right that thundered pass the keeper, this was to the relief of her Mum who couldn’t watch from the sideline. The half ended with Letterkenny picking up two points from frees. The score at half time was Bundoran 5 06 to Lkenny 0-02 The second half was to get no better for Letterkenny. The game was now out of their reach. Bundoran scores just kept coming with the Bundoran backs looking on as spectators. The sideline introduced fresh legs and with a commandeing lead even allowed Captain on the night “Alanah Ward” to move up forward and Megan McEniff putting on the no1 jersey. The sun beamed down on Dunkineelly and both teams still played their hearts out. The only score Letterkenny got in the second half was a goal from a free kick that came in high above McEniffs reach. Rachel McGee ended the game that was long over with Bundoran’s eight goal.
Tags:
