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U14 B Championship Quarter Final
Castlemartyr 03 - 03. Newcestown 07- 01
On Friday evening we welcomed Newcestown to Castlemartyr for an eagerly anticipated contest. Conditions were perfect with little to no wind and beautiful autumn sunshine. As the game began we won a lot of possession in mid field with Ciara Steele, Aimee Morgan, Caoilfhionn Barry, Aisling Harty and Grainne Lynch getting the better of their markers and providing promising ball to our forwards. Newcestown defence proved very competent and as we probed for the opening score they dealt with our attack and cleared their lines time after time. In the 7th minute the visitors registered the first score of the match when they took the direct route to goal and managed to scramble the ball over the line to raise the green flag. We still had the majority of possession and in the next 10 minutes we scored 2 points both from the stick of Cloadagh Mulhare. Newcestown again countered and scored another goal and a point before Sadhbh Beausang slotted over a beautiful point after some deft footwork to round her marker. We continued to put pressure on the visitors and won a number of frees which set up promising attacks but just couldn't convert the effort into scores. We conceded another goal just before half time to leave us trailing 3-1 to 3 points at the break although we had the majority of the chances and played the better Camogie. Lucy Keneally and Ciara Dean made way for Lilly McElhinney and Fay McGrath due to injuries sustained in the first half. On resumption of the second half our forwards increased the intensity and came close to getting their opening goal only for the quick reactions of the visitor's keeper. Again Newestown broke open our defence and scored another 3 goals despite the best efforts of our own keeper. Credit to our girls they never let their heads drop and kept to their task with Caoilfhionn giving an extemporary display of courage and leading by example. In the next 10 minutes we scored 3 goals of our own all coming from great play from Clodagh, Sadhbh and Faye. Even though there were still 7 points between the sides, parents , siblings and friends on the sideline roared encouragement and with 8 minutes to play belief was high that if we continued to play as we were we could win this match. We continued to pepper their goal with shots with Clodagh and Aisling floating shots into the danger area but the Newcestown defence, to their credit, dealt with the pressure and again cleared their lines setting up their own attacks. They proved much more economic in their efforts and with 3 minutes to play scored their final goal. We had another few chances to narrow the gap but unfortunately that was not to be. The final score line didn't reflect the true nature of the game . Our girls gave a skilful display and won many battles throughout the pitch. The work rate of many of the girls was unbelievable and their commitment cloud not be questioned. It's another lesson learned and one that will stand to them in the future.
Full Team:- Lia Hipwell, Cloadagh Mulhare, Ellie McKenzie, Kelsie Asamoah, Lilly McElhinney, Alicia Olaniran, Grainne Lynch, Faye McGrath, Caoilfhionn Barry, Aimee Morgan, Ciara Dean, Lucy Kennealy, Tara Crotty, Lucy Horgan, Aisling Harty, Sadhbh Beausang & Ciara Steele.