Ballymac 6-13
Miltown/Listry 3-12
Our under 16 ladies produced a magnificent performance in Fitzgerald Stadium on Thursday evening last to win be crowned Division 2 Champions for 2018 against a fancied Miltown/Listry team who had beaten them in the earlier rounds of the league. In what was a very competitive division from start to finish our girls showed their true worth when it got to the knock out stages of the competition. In both the semi final and final tough questions were asked of them at various stages and they responded everytime with great team work both in defence and in attack. Every player bought into the team ethic which in the end was the difference in the final .
Leading at half-time on a scoreline of 2-10 to 2-03 showed the excellent half of football played by both sides. While both teams had similar amounts of possession it was plain to see the pressure the Ballymac backs were applying on the opposition, each time they came within scoring distance. Covering for one another was the hallmark of their play throughout the game which in turn ended in Miltown kicking too many wides for their liking . With our goalie Ellie Sugrue assured in kickouts and making an important save in the first half after stepping in at late notice for Lorna Daly, who fell ill on the evening before the game , our backs of Sinead McKeown , Roisin Long ,Caoimhe Carroll,
Emily O Brien, Cait Rice and Aoife Galvin blotting out several direct runs down the centre by the Miltown girls, they gave the team the platform to take the game to the opposition at the other end.
Eve Creedon got our first goal after the ball was kicked into the heart of the Miltown defence but it was only half cleared and Eve got her boot to the ball on the ground to rattle the net. Cora Savage was getting on alot of ball from centre forward and followed Eves goal with an excellent point from play followed by two frees after Ellie Mac Elligott and Alyssa Leen were fouled. Ballymac were in control at this stage around centre field with Aisling O Connell and Eve dominating and combining with Cora who finished a great sweeping move with an excellent finish to rattle the Miltown net to put the score at 2-07 to 2-03 to our girls. Again Cora added two more points and one from Aisling after a great fetch by Kate O Connor to leave us ahead by seven at the interval.
Miltown started the second half well with two quick points from one of their Kerry U 16 players Ella Teahan one being a penalty that sailed over the bar but at the other end we were awarded a penalty of our own after Roisin Rahilly was brought down and Cora finished it with conviction. Eve struck for another goal after great run to leave us 4-10 to 2-05 ahead. Clodagh Evans responded with two points but Cora and Eve cancelled these out again at the other end. Again Cora stepped up with two goals to put us out of sight, but to be fair to Miltown,they fought till the final whistle getting a goal of their own and two more points . Roisin Rahilly finished the scoring with a well deserved point to leave the girls ten points to the good at the final whistle.
Nora Fealy on behalf of the Kerry Ladies Board presented the trophy to captain Lisa Curran on behalf of the team.
This victory capped a memorable year in the short history of our ladies club at underage level, with all teams winning their respective county league divisions .
Well done to coaches Kieran Savage, Linda Gleeson and Derek O Brien for having the team in top form, and the parents and families of the girls for their support all through.
Team; Ellie Sugrue, Sinead McKeown, Roisin Long, Caoimhe Carroll, Cait Rice, Emily O Brien, Aoife Galvin, Aisling O Connell(0-1), Eve Creedon(2-02), Laura Dunne, Cora Savage(4-09,1-05f), Alyssa Leen, Kate O Connor, Ellie Mac Elligott, Lisa Curran(c)
Subs; Roisin Rahilly(0-01), Holly Geary, Millie Dunne, Jade Riordan, Mary Ann Fleming, Lorna Daly, Mar de Bargello.