Ladies U16 Div 2 FC final: Moynalvey crowned champions

Celebration time for Moynalvey Under 16's at Kilmore Park

Moynalvey U-16 girls were crowned Division 2 champions when having six points to spare over St. Ultans in the Div. 2 championship Final played at Kilmore Park Moynalvey on Saturday afternoon 3rd October.

Moynalvey 3-13
St. Ultans 2-10

It was Moynalvey who were first to trouble the score keepers with a brace of Eva Gannon points in the 4th and 5th minutes. St. Ultans responded with a brace of their own, before the first green flag was raised in the 11th minute when an Aoife O’Shea solo run set up Eleanor Dixon who made no mistake finishing low to the corner of the Ultans net, 1-2 to 0-2.

A pair of St. Ultans points left the minimum between the sides, with Moynalvey responding with an Aoife O’Shea free. Then came St. Ultans period of dominance as they reeled off five points without reply when Moynalvey were down a player following the black carding of Bridget Corcaran, meaning Moynalvey trailed their opponents by three points at half time, 1-3 to 0-9.

While being cleaned out in the middle of the park for much of the first half, the midfield combination of Aoife O’Shea and Nicole Lawless along with the half back line of Zoe Drum flanked by Kate O’Keeffe and Lauren Dunne laid the foundation for Moynalvey’s second half superiority in that area.

Having been returned to the full complement of players and beginning to exert dominance around the middle third, the home side reeled off 1-6 without reply to lead by six points heading into the final quarter. The goal coming when Eva Gannon dispossessed an Ultans kickout and raced forward to bury to the roof of the net, with the points coming from Eva Gannon (4), Nicole Lawless and Aoife O’Shea who converted a free after she was fouled to leave it 2-9 to 0-9 eighteen minutes into the second half.

St. Ultan’s responded to Gannon’s goal immediately having the ball in Abbi McCormack’s net with sixty seconds of the Moynalvey goal, however that was as good as it got for the side in black and green as they were outscored 1-3 to no score from here on in regulation time.

Moynalvey’s 1-3 coming from Aoife O’Shea (two frees) the first brought in for dissent after Aoife herself had been fouled, Eva Gannon who was assisted by the crossbar and the goal coming from Bridget Corcoran to leave the score board read 3-13 to 1-9 on the hour mark.

There was still time for St. Ultans to add a couple of late consolation scores, a goal and a point deep into added time to leave the full time score board read 3-13 to 2-10 and the Moynalvey girls crowned Div. 2 champions.

A stellar performance by all in maroon, but in particular Nicole Lawless, Eva Gannon, Aoife O’Shea, Kate O’Keeffe, Lauren Dunne, Zoe Drum, Abbi McCormack, Aine Corcoran and Rachel Clarke when introduced.

Following the full time celebrations, joint Moynalvey captains Abbi McCormack and Aoife O’Shea were presented the Cup to the jubilation of their team mates and supporters alike.

Moynalvey team and scorers: Abbi McCormack, Sarah Clarke, Aine Corcoran, Lara Molloy, Kate O’Keeffe, Zoe Drum, Lauren Dunne, Aoife O’Shea (0-4, 3f), Nicole Lawless (0-1), Eleanor Dixon (1-0), Eva Gannon (1-8, 2f), Bridget Corcoran (1-0), Rachel Treacy, Meabh Donoghue, Meabh Gallagher.

Subs used: Rachel Clarke, Andrea Lourens, Emma-Mae McCormack, Hannah Regan, Aoibheann Dolan, Niamh Dabek.