St. Bride’s 0-13 Roche Emmets 7-3

The U14 girls qualified for the D Championship final in Knockbridge on Monday night, prevailing from a humdinger of a clash courtesy of their clinical edge in front of the target.

Evenly matched teams, the sides were level at the end of the first quarter with goalscorer supreme Erin Gorham finding the net and Niamh Norton knocking over a minor in response to St. Brides’ four points.

However, once Zoe Treacy turned on the style, hitting 2-1 in the second quarter, and Gorham added another major, Roche were 4-2 to 0-7 in front at halfway.

Kayleigh O’Hare, who covered every blade of grass at midfield, drove home Emmets’ fifth goal early in the second half and Caoimhe Dunne soon followed up with a sixth maximum, breaking through the Bride’s defence for the score.

However, the home outfit kept the winners honest, striking six further points to bring their tally to 0-13.

Instruction from the Roche management at this stage was to ‘defend at all costs’ and there were heroics from Martina Kirk in goals and the steadfast full-back trio of Rhiannon and Ffion Dolan, and No3 Erin Roe – all of whom played out of their skins.

This ensured the Knockbridge girls were held scoreless across the closing 15 minutes.

Nicole Murray was typically rock solid at centre-back, while Aoibheann Reilly kept a tricky winger under control at left-half, allowing the Corcoran cousins, Evanna and Sophie, to link up nicely along the right flank.

The selection of forwards all contributed with Courtney McNamee, Suranne Robinson, Chloe Duffy, Amy McKee and Cara McCourt all effectively featuring in the corner-forward berths.

Special mention must also go to the injured duo, Ava Briscoe and Erin Grier, who came along to support their teammates.

Roche: Martina Kirk; Rhiannon Dolan, Erin Roe, Ffion Dolan; Evanna Corcoran, Nicole Murray, Aoibheann Reilly; Niamh Norton (0-1), Kayleigh O’Hare (1-0); Sophie Corcoran, Erin Gorham (2-1), Zoe Treacy (3-1); Courtney McNamee, Caoimhe Dunne (1-0), Suranne Robinson

Subs: Chloe Duffy, Amy McKee, Cara McCourt, Molly O’Callaghan

Referee: Kevin Carroll