Dee Rangers 3-07 Simonstown 1-05

Dee Rangers travelled to Simonstown on Friday night to fulfil a re fixture of the Division 7 round 5 game. A win for either team would secure a place in the league final. 

Simonstown were the first to attack with a quick ball in to Zoe Coyle, Coyle passed it off to Eabha Madden who was unable to get around Emma Carry, Carry dispossessed her and moved the ball up the wing to Hannah Carolan. 

Hannah spotted Aoife McNulty in the centre of the field and picked out a great pass. Aoife gathered and fed Jodie Loughran an inviting hand pass over the top of the Simonstown defence. Jodie took her shot and it was saved at point blank range by Simonstown number one Lauren Nash. Jodie was quickest to the rebound and fired another shot at Nash who again managed to clear her line. The Simonstown defence cleared the ball and they were on the attack again. 

The Simonstown midfield partnership of Laura McEnery and Orla Conlon carried the ball up the field but were met with a strong Dee Ranger defence led by captain Molly O’ Rourke. Molly carried the ball forward and passed the ball into centre half forward Hannah Carolan who recorded the first score of the game, a point from the right wing.

The teams were evenly matched and turned each other over several times in the centre of the field with the Dee Ranger due Ellen Cassidy and Aoife McNulty working tirelessly up and down the field. The shooting from both sides left a lot to be desired and the game remained very low scoring for much of the first half. 

Goal keeper Sinead Carolan took a short kick out and took the return pass from full back Molly O’ Rourke. Carolan headed off on a solo run up the left wing and picked out Ellen Cassidy with a precision pass into the middle of the field. Jodie Loughran was out in front and Ellen placed the ball in front of her. Jodie slotted the ball over the bar to record her first score of the day. 

The Simonstown kick out was won in the middle of the field and delivered into Ella Mae McDermott who made no mistake and scored Simonstown’s first point of the game. 

Simonstown were beginning to find their groove and overturned the next Dee Ranger attack, the ball was passed in low to Cara Cahill who turned on her right boot and slotted the ball over the bar. Dee Rangers 0-02 Simonstown 0-02. 

Dee Rangers won their own kick out in the middle of the pitch, Aoife McNulty passed the ball onto the right wing and Megan Malone carried the ball towards goal. Jodie Loughran was waiting inside and Malone popped the pass off, Jodie struck the ball low and hard but again was denied a goal by the excellent shot stopper Lauren Nash, Jodie got another shot at it and it came off the post! Eimear McCluskey was fastest to respond but her effort went wide. 

Both teams recorded another point each before the half time whistle. Simonstown from play by Ella Mae McDermott. Dee Rangers from a free converted by Eimear McCluskey. 

Simonstown won the second half throw up and Laura McEnery ran directly for the Dee Rangers goal, she passed off to Orla Conlon who was blocked down by Kate Meade. Dee Rangers worked the ball from midfield to Hannah Carolan, who passed inside to Jodie Loughran, Jodie drew the defence towards her and then hand passed the ball over the top to the oncoming Eimear McCluskey. Eimear made no mistake and buried the ball into the net for the first goal of the night. 

Spurred on by the goal Dee Rangers were on the attack again, Áine Byrne carried the ball from centre half back and passed to Sarah Duff, Sarah passed to Jodie who took the hand pass in with her right hand, didn’t break stride and calmly slotted it into the back of the net with her left foot. Megan O’ Rourke and Eabha Madden exchanged points. The scoreboard now read Dee Rangers 2-05 Simonstown 0-04. 

Simonstown rallied and worked the ball up the field, Eabha Madden scoring an excellent goal from play. Eimear McCluskey converted a free for Dee Rangers to keep their noses ahead. 

Eabha Madden recorded another point from play. The battle around the middle of the field continued with some excellent blocks and turnovers from both sides. Aoife McNulty turning over the ball time and time again for Dee Rangers but the shot selection from both sides was disappointing. 

Substitute Grace Durnin was introduced for the Dee Ranger team and she was quick to make an impact. She received an excellent pass from Aoife McNulty and made a direct run at the Simonstown defence who were unable for her blistering pace. She made no mistake and placed the ball past the keeper.

With only a couple of minutes remaining on the clock, Dee Rangers held possession. A free was awarded to Aoife Traynor and was scored by Eimear McCluskey. This was to be the final score of the game and the referee blew the full time whistle. 

Well done to both teams on a competitive game of football. Best of luck to Dee Rangers in the final. 

Dee Rangers team: Sinead Carolan, Kate Meade, Molly O’Rourke (C), Amy Byrne, Grace Halpenny, Aine Byrne, Emma Carry, Aoife McNulty (VC), Ellen Cassidy, Sarah Duff, Hannah Carolan (0-01), Megan O’ Rourke (0-02), Megan Malone, Jodie Loughran (1-01), Eimear McCluskey (1-03). 

Subs used: Grace Durnin (1-00), Aoife Traynor, Áine Goslin, Áine Balfe and Ella Martin. 

Simonstown team: Lauren Nash, Grainne McNulty, Anna Hillard, Eabha Harmon, Shauna Lavery, Megan Coyne, Grace Gaidenor, Laura McEnery, Orla Conlon, Zoe Coyle, Ella Mae McDermott (0-02), Eabha Madden (1-02), Cara Cahill (0-01), Aoife Cahill, Chloe Guinan. 

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