26/09/2023: The U14 Ladies showed their fighting spirit by playing a brilliant second half to really put it to Fergus Rovers in the U14 D Cup Final. However, with only two kicks of a ball separating the teams, the comeback was not enough as Fergus Rovers held on to win 4-5 to Kildysart 3-4. The match took place in terrible conditions on Sunday morning last and it’s a credit to both teams for their perseverance in such bad weather.
Fergus Rovers got off to a bright start raising their first green flag in the opening minutes. Kildysart's response was immediate with a point from Anna Cleary. Fergus Rovers struck again for 1-1 but a point from Isabelle Garry kept Kildysart in touch. Kildysart suffered a blow when goalie Emer Meaney had to be replaced in the first quarter due to a finger injury. Cornerback Cliona Clancy took the position between the sticks with Chloe McMahon coming on to take up defensive duties. The backs, led by Niamh Finucane and Lauren Conway, worked tirelessly throughout to withstand the Rovers attack. But the ladies from Ballynacally/Lissycasey were relentless and netted their third goal in the 24th minute. Points from Cleary and Aisling Reidy left the Blues 7 points in arrears at the halftime whistle, Kildysart 0-4, Fergus Rovers 3-2.
Kildysart really came to life in the second half and out-scored Fergus Rovers 3 goals to 1-3. It was a full team effort and every player was called upon to play their part. Erin O’Connor, who was controlling the midfield, started off the assault with an unstoppable shot to rattle the net in the opening minutes of the restart. It was "game-on" in the 10th minute when Anna Cleary bagged the second goal to narrow the gap to two, Kildysart 2-4, Fergus Rovers 3-3. As the match turned into the fourth quarter, it was absolutely all to play for when Lacy Mooney fired to the net during a scrum in the goal mouth to leave a single point between the sides, Kildysart 3-4, Fergus Rovers 3-5. Both sides battled hard for the next 10 minutes when a Fergus Rovers attack ended in the back of the net in the 25th minute to increase the gap to 4. Kildysart never gave up but scores were hard to come by and the final whistle blew. Kudos to Kildysart for not putting their heads down, battling the conditions, playing as a team, and winning the second half; it’s all that anyone can ask.
Kildysart: Emer Meaney, Cliona Clancy, Maia Casey, Siobhan Foley, Niamh Finucane, Lily Cronin, Lauren Conway, Erin O’Connor (1-0), Olivia Hogan-captain, Anna Cleary (1-2), Isabelle Garry (0-1), Aoife Farren, Aisling Reidy (0-1), Emer Murtagh, Lacy Mooney (1-0). Subs: Chloe McMahon for Meaney-injured (10 min), Olivia O’Shea for Cronin (22 min), Sarah Garry for Mooney (HT), Lily Cronin for McMahon (HT), Lacy Mooney for Murtagh (43 min). Panel: Martha Mai Casey, Lucy O’Connor, Amelie Ilunga, Abigail Cogley. Management: Niamh Conway, Caroline Cleary, Gerry Cogley. Referee: John O’Connell.
