Match Report
Donaghmore/Ashbourne vs. St. Michaels
Round 1 – Division 1 League
Monday 14 June, 7:45pm
Our adult ladies were in competitive action for the first time in 2021, kicking off the season with a Monday evening game away to St. Michaels.
A slow start by the team saw Donaghmore down by 1-03 after 12 minutes, with the goal coming from St. Michaels’ Mary Clinton. Donaghmore’s best chance came inside two minutes when Aoife Toner went one-on-one with the keeper and saw her shot saved by Sarah Bradley. Moments later Abbie Timmons was unfortunate to see a long-range effort drop just short. The Moore’s got off the mark with two consecutive and well taken scores from Roisin O Connor.
An extremely physical and fast paced contest from the outset meant play was end-to-end in the opening quarter with Siofra Cleary and Ciara Lawlor diligently breaking up play and leading the Donaghmore attack from the middle of the field.
Right on the quarter St. Michaels registered their second goal with a strong run and finish by midfielder Megan O’Brien.
Down by 7 at the first water break, the ladies needed to regroup, which they did, with a much more structured style of play in the second quarter. The defense got a foothold in the game, led by Aoife O’Rourke and with some excellent individual efforts from Clodagh Millington and Katelyn Brady to prevent two likely goal chances.
St. Michaels registered two more points before Aoife Toner put another point on the board for the Moore’s after getting on the end of a ball following a great passage of link up play between Siofra Cleary and Caitriona O’Shaughnessy. The defense continued to pressure the play with Siobhan Brady, Katie Gorman, Hannah Keogh and LesleyAnn Walsh all stepping up to the challenge.
Down 8 at half time, the girls needed to put their stamp on the second half, which they did from the restart with a cleverly taken fisted point from Aoife Hughes to reduce the deficit. A notably triumphant return to competitive play for Aoife, who took to the pitch for the first time since her cancer diagnosis in 2019.
The two teams traded points with Aoisle Lawlor and Marie Heffernan getting involved in the attack from half back. Aoife Toner, Orla Shortt, Caitriona O’Shaughnessy and Roisin O’Connor tacked on a point a piece before the second water break.
Still down at the second water break, and needing a goal to close the gap, it was St. Michaels who went for the jugular when play recommenced with some well taken long-range scores from Seona Lynch and Sinead McCormack.
Donaghmore’s Chanice Dolan kept her composure in goals dealing with a number of high balls floated into her square. The team fought to the end with trojan work from Siofra Cleary who covered an extensive amount ground.
All in all, a good run out and challenge for the team. It must be noted that seven debutants featured in the game. An exciting group of young players to watch. The squad regroups and goes again on Thursday 17 June, 8pm at home to Oldcastle.
Final score St. Michael’s 2-13, Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-08
Team (* debutant)
Chanice Dolan, Katie Gorman*, Hannah Keogh*, Clodagh Millington, LesleyAnn Walsh*, Ciara Lawlor, Marie Heffernan, Siofra Cleary, Caitriona O’Shaughnessy, Aoife Toner, Aoisle Lawlor, Orla Shortt*, Abbie Timmons, Aoife O’Rourke, Roisin O’Connor
Siobhan Brady* for LesleyAnn Walsh
Katelyn Brady* for Katie Gorman
Aoife Hughes* for Roisin O’Connor
