Killeigh girls claim cup title in thriller
The sun was shining and big support for both teams turned out and the scene was set for what turned out to be a cracker in Clara.
MSL U-16 Girls Cup Final
Killeigh 1
Mullingar 0
Playing with the aid of the breeze in the first half, Mullingar attacked from the off and it took great work from the Killeigh defence to keep them at bay while Deirdre Coonan in the Killeigh goal brought off a couple of smart saves.
With ten minutes on the clock Killeigh had their first chance when a great run out of defence by star player Emma Kirwin just fell short and Mullingar were able to clear. Killeigh had settled by now and the game was end to end stuff.
Niamh Mooney, playing up front, will wonder how she didn’t score with three great efforts, one coming back off the bottom of the Mullingar post. Half-time came with both sides still deadlocked 0-0.
There was no let up in the second half with both sides creating chances. The Killeigh defence of the ever reliable Katie Quinn, the very dependable centre backs of Ayesha Brazil and Emma Kirwin and Amy Martin, who kept her best game of the season for the final with a player of the match performance, were keeping Mullingar at bay.
At the other end Killeigh were starting to create chances and Ciara O’Brien was only on the pitch five minutes when her shot was just wide.
With just 10 minutes on the clock in the second-half the tigerish Bronagh Kane took a shot from just outside the box and the Mullingar keeper was unable to keep it out. The ball just crossed the line to nudge Killeigh ahead.
Mullingar were not finished just yet and in the last few minutes forced three corners but the Killeigh girls stood firm and were always able to clear their lines.
The final whistle sounded to great celebrations from the Killeigh players management and supporters.
This was a great squad effort with all 17 players putting in a great effort all season. The defence were rock solid all day and Killeigh’s midfield of Lisa Gorman, Kim Cobbe who only 24 hours earlier had won a Leinster School Soccer Final, worked very hard with the skilful Maeve Byrne and the never say die Roisin Kane working the wings with great effect.
Up front Niamh Mooney rounded off a great season playing some lovely football and that girl Bronagh Kane for her work rate deserved to be a match winner.
Squad numbers are very important and this was very true with the Killeigh girls when Meaghan Dunne and Cliona Owens came on the lifted team and were at the centre of all the action.
Ciara O’Brien also played her part and was very unlucky not to have scored and it was great to have the talented Emma Byrne who played no small part in this great Cup win. Two players to miss out in the Final through injury, Orla Daly and Eimer Daly are wished a speedy recovery.
Managers Frank and Kate would like to thank the girls for all their hard work during the long but very enjoyable season and what a way to finish. The Club would like to thank Eddie Brady who sponsored the meal after the match also Matt and Kathleen Doyle who sponsored a set of socks and last but not least to all the parents and supporters for their help during the season.
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Weather for Tullamore
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
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