Roche Emmets 3-5 St. Bride’s 5-8

The U15 girls lost their opening grading game at home to a physically stronger St. Bride’s team in Roche on Monday night.

Ultimately, it was the away team’s superiority in front of the target that settled the fixture as Roche struggled to convert their myriad of opportunities, particularly during the early exchanges when the initiative was there for the taking.

Ellen Smith looked Emmets’ sharpest attacker and on another night, she may have had as many as three first half goals – as it were, her 1-1 accounted for all bar one point of Roche’s half-time tally.

From midfield, Hannah McArdle and Ciara Whyte were doing their utmost in a bid to transition the ball from one end to the other, and McArdle also displayed her scoring touch by kicking a fine point.

The half-back line of Áine McEneaney, Naoise McGeeney and Eimear Traynor also impressed with their energy and driving runs up the field, in front of Mollie Kirk, who is developing into a fine centre-full.

Two looping goals from distance were the key difference at the break, 2-3 to 1-2, though the Knockbridge girls were much the better team in the second half, adding 3-5 to their total, including two goals amid a blistering spell on the restart.

Notwithstanding the setbacks, Roche remained intent on taking the game to the Bride’s, McArdle finding the net before Erin Gorham registered her customary goal. Megan Roe also kicked a cracking point from along the right wing.

But a fifth three-pointer by the visitors dealt a fatal blow to Emmets’ comeback hopes.

Roche: Martina Kirk; Erin Roe, Mollie Kirk, Aoife McKee; Áine McEneaney, Naoise McGeeney, Eimear Traynor; Hannah Kirk (1-2), Ciara Whyte (0-1); Aimee Dunne, Ava Briscoe, Kayleigh O’Hare; Megan Roe (0-1), Erin Gorham (1-0), Ellen Smith (1-1)

Subs: Ffion Dolan, Evanna Corcoran

Referee: Paul Finnegan (St. Patrick’s)