Wedding Bells

Congratulations to club Chairman Philip Maree and committee member Michelle McKiernan who recently celebrated their wedding in Cyprus. Everyone at the club wishes them a long happy marriage.

Intermediate Ladies

The Intermediate Ladies hosted C.T. Gaels in Ransboro Pk. on Sunday morning. Lining out without the injured Ruth Goodwin meant that Cliodhna O’ Sullivan moved to midfield to partner Laura Ann Laffey. The visitors started quickly and were a point ahead in the first minute. Our girls settled though and a Meadhbh Kenneally point levelled the game. There then followed a fifteen minute spell where the hosts played some of their best football of the year. Further points from Attracta Halloran, Shona Dalton and Laura Ann Laffey put us ahead and when Laura Ann fired to the net the score was 1-04 to 03. C.T. responded well and the movements of their forwards meant that the home defence was under constant pressure. The defence, led by Gráinne Redmond, Aislinn Doggett and Caoimhe O’ Sullivan, worked extremely hard to keep the attacks at bay. They were well supported from midfield and also by the wing forwards Attracta Halloran and Ellen Prior, both of whom tracked back tirelessly throughout. The pressure began to tell however, and by half time the visitors led 1-10 to 1-06.

The second half saw our girls playing into the strong wind, and they struggled to clear their lines for the early part of the half. A series of unanswered scores from C.T. Gaels widened the gap, but to their credit our girls worked their way back into the tie. The direct running of Cliodhna O’ Sullivan and Laura Ann Laffey caused the visitors’ defence endless problems and with Meadhbh Kenneally, Shona Dalton and Attracta Halloran linking well, scores began to come. The introduction of Roisin Heneghan, Sarah McCormack and Lauren McGarry also gave a much needed boost, but ultimately the task was just too much and the girls lost 2-22 to 1-11.

Despite the result and the scoreline, this was a greatly improved team performance. The work rate and commitment never dropped from the first whistle to the last and they played some lovely attacking football when the opportunity arose. Beibhinn Harte was her usual dependable self in goals. In defence, Caoimhe O’ Sullivan, Ellen Monaghan and Aislinn Doggett were excellent, while Gráinne Redmond also worked extremely hard. It was a true case of youth and experience in midfield where Laura Ann Laffey once again led by example, scoring 1-02, supported by Cliodhna O’ Sullivan, who also got on the scoresheet when she pointed after one of her many surges forward. The half forward line of Ellen Prior, Shona Dalton and Attracta Halloran epitomised the team performance on the day, tracking back selflessly while also attacking at every opportunity and taking some fine scores. Meadhbh Kenneally once again was very effective at full-forward, linking well with the rest of the attack and taking her scores well. The girls finish their campaign with a trip to Collooney next Sunday in a re-arranged fixture with Owenmore Gaels.

Team; Beibhinn Harte, Amy Hampson, Caoimhe O’ Sullivan, Ellen Monaghan, Aislinn Doggett, Gráinne Redmond, Nadine Deering (Sarah McCormack), Cliodhna O' Sullivan (0-01), Laura Ann Laffey (1-02), Ellen Prior (Lauren McGarry), Shona Dalton (0-02), Attracta Halloran (0-04), Amy Deering (Roisin Heneghan), Meadhbh Kenneally (0-02), Leah Kerrigan (Amy Deering).

Under 10 City League

Our under 10 boys had their final game of the season on Wednesday last when they played Drumcliffe/Rosses Point. The boys gave a fine exhibition of football on the night. Throughout the season their skill levels improved with each game. Micheál Harte had an excellent game in goals while Patrick Healy was most impressive in defence. Cillian Corkery worked tirelessly in midfield, and Noah Quigley took the scoring honours. Matthew Keeley gave a Man of the Match performance. Well done boys on a great year, and the management look forward to working with you again next year.

Senior Football Semi-Final

Our senior footballers have to do it all again after a tight, tense semi-final with reigning champions Tourlestrane ended in a draw in Collooney on Sunday. Despite being rank outsiders in the tie, the team dominated for periods in the first half, and went in at half time leading 2-05 to 1-05. Niall Murphy was in top form, opening the scoring with a goal in the first minute. The south Sligo side responded and within a short period of time they had levelled the tie. An opening quarter of high intensity saw the sides exchange points with Colin Parke and Niall Murphy putting over for Coolera. A strong finish to the half led to Colin Parke rounding the Tourlestrane keeper to goal, after some excellent build-up play by Karol O’ Neill and Niall Murphy.

The second half was equally as tight with scores at a premium. Tourlestrane began the stronger and had three unanswered points before Niall Murphy put over from long range after eighteen minutes. A spectacular effort from Karol O’ Neill would be our only other score of the half. As the game approached the final whistle, both sides had chances to win, but after five minutes of injury time it ended all square 2-07 to 1-10.

Team: Kevin Kelly, Enda Mitchell (Karol O’ Neill (0-01)), Gary Cawley, Mark Comerford, Seán Murphy, Conor McDonagh, Aaron O’ Boyle, Kevin Banks, Barry Doyle, Colin Parke (1-01), Keelan Cawley, Peter Laffey, Gary Cadden, Barry O’ Mahony, Niall Murphy (1-05).