A fabulous display of passing and finishing saw the U16 girls open their campaign with an impressive victory against combination opposition in Roche on Wednesday night.

Roche led this encounter from start-to-finish and while the visitors summoned a late comeback with goals, Eddie Briscoe’s Emmets were always in control, picking off some wonderful points at the end of flowing team moves.

Goalkeeper Martina Kirk pulled off some good stops, while her distribution was reliable, with the full-backs – captain Claire McCourt, Mollie Kirk and Eimear Traynor – standing up strongly when dangerous ball was incoming.

Naoise McGeeney, Rachel McKay and Erin Hogan Curtis combined in the half-back department to provide Roche’s most dominant line, their tackling and support play were a feature.

The midfielders, Ciara Jane Whyte and Hannah McArdle gave powerhouse displays, Whyte’s neat passing and positional play complementing the driving runs and score-taking prowess of Hannah McArdle.

Megan Roe, Lauren Briscoe and Aine McEneaney were key link players up the field, often involved in sharp interchanges on the edge of the scoring zone – Briscoe, of course, kicked an incredible 2-7.

Meanwhile, Cliodhna O’Hare, Ellen Smith and Niamh Goss all got shots off at the target and generally looked sharp when the ball was delivered their way.

Each of Aimee Dunne, Ava Briscoe and Erin Roe – younger players – had hands in good play once coming in from the dugout.

Congratulations must go to the team management for having the players so well prepared.

The girls travel to Collon next Wednesday night to take on Mattock Rangers at 7:30pm.

Roche: Martina Kirk, Claire McCourt (Captain), Mollie Kirk, Eimear Traynor, Naoise McGeeney, Rachel McKay, Erin Hogan Curtis, Ciara Jane Whyte, Hannah McArdle (0-3); Megan Roe, Lauren Briscoe (2-7), Aine McEneaney (0-1), Cliodhna O Hare (2-1), Ellen Smith, Niamh Goss

Subs: Aimee Dunne, Ava Briscoe, Erin Roe