Under 16 Football
On Monday evening our U16s played Coolaney/Mullinabreena in the newly developed Nace O’Dowd Park. Conditions for football were far from prefect with driving rain and a swirling wind making playing difficult for both teams. Missing both of our regular goalies, we were glad that Jamie Walsh and Owen McKirdy stood in for a half each, both keeping clean sheets. Coolera Strandhill got off to a flying start with 2 quick goals from Cormac Murphy followed by 4 well taken points from frees by Oran McDonagh who, with partner Donagh Flynn, was controlling the game at midfield. Orin Mitchell and Cormac Henehan added 2 more goals before half time as Coolera Strandhill went in at the break leading 4-8 to 0-0.
Weather conditions deteriorated in the second half with the wind and rain making scoring opportunities hard to come by. Pawel Gorski made his debut for the club and put in a great defensive display at corner back. Sam McDermott moved to midfield for the second half and put in a man of the match display, by covering every inch of the pitch and showing some great defensive work. Jamie Walsh moved to the forwards for the second half and added another goal which was followed by points from Orin Mitchell, Oran McDonagh and Liam Gilligan. Coolera Standhill ran out winners 5-11 to 0-3. This was a great display by the entire team in very trying conditions.
Team J Walsh, A Davey, O McKidy, N Brennan, J Murphy, S McDermott. O McDonagh, D Flynn, C Keane, O Mitchell, L Gilligan, C Murphy, C Henehan, J Henehan, B Cawley, P Gorski.
Senior Football
The senior footballers’ unbeaten run in the league came to an end in Ransboro on Saturday evening when they lost to St. Mary’s. A good start saw us lead by four points thanks to a Cillian McCahey point and a Mark Comerford. The visitors began to take control midway through the first half, yet a Cillian McCahey goal and points from Karl O’ Neill, Barry O’ Mahony and Aaron O’ Boyle saw us lead by a point at half time. The second half proved to be a struggle and scores were hard to come by. St. Mary’s eventually ran out winners 3-17 to 3-07. The two sides meet again next Saturday in the Kiernan Cup. Team: Oisin Conway, Enda Mitchell, Peter Laffey (James Hampson), Conor McDonagh, Gary Cawley, Seán Murphy (Fionn Morrissey), Aaron O’ Boyle (0-01), Kevin Banks, Shay Doherty, Cillian McCahey (1-01), Barry Doyle, Mark Comerford (2-00), Karol O’ Neill (0-01), Barry O’ Mahony (0-04), Aaron Breslin (David Kilrehill)
Congratulations
Congratulations to Liam Gilligan who was part of the Summerhill College juvenile team that defeated St. Jarlath’s in the Connacht Final. Tristan Gilligan, Oran McDonagh, Donagh Flynn and Jack Murphy were unlucky to lose out to Roscommon CBS in the colleges junior final on Friday.
Junior Ladies
The junior ladies suffered defeat to Shamrock Gaels in the second round of the league on Sunday. Starting well, the girls played some nice football but unfortunately didn’t capitalise on their opportunities. Two Attracta Halloran points was all they had to show for their first half efforts. Once the visitors settled it became a tough task for our girls. There were some good performances from Aislinn Doggett and Kaela Kerrigan in defence. Laura Ann Laffey worked tirelessly in midfield with Ruth Goodwin until Ruth went off injured. In attack, Éilis Callaghan showed well and won plenty of possession, with support from Attracta Halloran. Team: Pamela Higgins, Sarah McCormack, Kaela Kerrigan, Nadine Deering (Sarah Lindsay), Aislinn Doggett, Caoimhe O’ Sullivan, Gráinne Redmond, Ruth Goodwin (Ellen Given), Laura Ann Laffey, Éilis Callaghan, Attracta Halloran, Ellen Monaghan, Roisin Heneghan, Leah Kerrigan, Lauren McGarry (Ellen Prior)
Under 12 Girls
The under 12 girls played host to St. John’s on Thursday evening (19th). On a beautiful sunny evening the two teams provided a very entertaining, sporting contest. A word of thanks must go to the grounds committee for having the pitch in such great condition following some very wet weather. Our girls were quick off the mark, Ellen Walsh in particular proving a real handful for the visitors’ defence, scoring three points in the opening quarter. Ellen would finish top scorer with five points. Others to get on the score-sheet were Eva White, Orna Murphy, Lauren Healy, Sophie Quinn, Lulu Mooney and Hannah Bohan. This was a game the girls controlled from the start with many fine performances all over the pitch. In defence Áine Harte, Anna McDaniel and Susannah Gilligan were superb. A new midfield pairing of Lisa Kilfeather and Orlaith Beirne revelled in their task and Ellen Walsh led the attack with great displays also from Aoife Gallagher, Lulu Mooney and Lauren Healy. There were impressive performances too from Eva White, Orna Murphy, Tilly Ellwood and Molly Rooney, while Mollie Ronan, Megan Bohan, Grace Bailey, Aoife Hennessy, Sophie Quinn and Maya Donaghy all played their part in a 15 points to 7 victory. A special word must go to Keith McLoughlin (St. John’s) and Michael Harte who stepped in to share the refereeing duties when no official referee was present.
