Dee Rangers 2-09, Clonard 3-05

Dee Rangers travelled to Clonard GFC on Bank Holiday Monday for the Under 17 Division 4 League Final. The pitch was in pristine condition and the weather conditions were ideal for a football match. 

When these sides met in the group stages Dee Rangers won by a single point so the spectators were anticipating a close encounter from the finalists. 

Both sides got off to a nervous start with a number of wides each. But as they settled into the pace of the game, it was Dee Rangers who recorded the first score, a well worked goal from Ava Curran. Curran struck again, this time with a fine point from play, popped over with her left foot. 

Meena McConnell opened up the Clonard defence with a confident run from midfield and slotted the ball over the bar. Ava Curran hit two more points to leave her personal tally at 1-03 at half time.  The Clonard midfield partnership worked hard throughout the first half but their shots were not on target and Clonard were unable to register a score in the first half. Dee Rangers were 1-04 to 0-00 up at the half time whistle, but this result did not reflect how competitive the game actually was. 

Clonard started the second half the brighter of the two teams and scored 1-02 in the first ten minutes. Dee Rangers kept their cool and Curran recorded a further two points, leaving the score at 1-06 to 1-02. Clonard boosted by this spell of dominance recorded a further 1-01. Meena McConnell took matters into her own hands and with another strong run from the centre forward position she took on the Clonard defence and confidently slotted the ball past the keeper. Dee Rangers were back in front. Dee Rangers 2-06, Clonard 2-03. 

Dee Rangers captain Ciara Goslin receives the Division 4 league cup

Clonard scored another point from play and were growing in confidence with every attack. The next Dee Ranger kick out fell favourably to a Clonard forward and she popped it over the bar. One point between the teams! Sharp shooter Curran hit two more points to keep her team ahead. Clonard worked the ball up the field with time running out and only one thing on their mind, the initial shot was stopped by Dee Rangers number 1 Áine Dillon, but Clonard were quickest on the rebound and buried the ball into the back of the net. With one minute left on the clock the sides were even. 

Dee Rangers won their kick out and worked the ball up the field, Ava Curran was picked out on the left wing with an excellent pass from her team mate Niamh Byrne. Curran confidently struck the ball with her trusty left foot and sailed it over the bar, Dee Rangers were ahead by one. Clonard quickly took the kick out but the referee blew the whistle much to the delight of the large Dee Ranger crowd who invaded the pitch. 

Dee Rangers team: Áine Dillon, Emily Woods, Ciara Goslin (C), Áine Nevin, Holly Dennis, Grace Halpenny, Nicole Dardis, Aoibhín Carolan, Niamh Byrne, Kellie Mooney Gorman, Meena McConnell (1-01), Ava Curran (1-08), Sarah Duff, Maeve Sheehy, Sarah Tighe. 

Subs used: Millie Carrie & Kate Myles. 

Tweet

Most Read Stories