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A chilly Saturday evening saw the under 16 girls begin their C league campaign with a home fixture. With a disappointing turn out of only 12 girls they knew it was going to take a huge effort to overcome a strong side like Erin’s Own. The visitors started the contest with impressive displays from their centre field and half forward lines.it wasn’t long before they had raised the green flag despite valiant efforts from backs Niamh Molloy and Saoirse Coughlan and under 13 goalkeeper Lia Hipwell. As the game progressed Erin’s Own players just seemed to be that bit quicker to the ball and again capitalised on their attacks with another 2 goals and a point. Castlemartyr slowly began to put their stamp on the game. A few attacks went awry until Zara Bowles put the ball over the bar from a free just before the half time whistle to leave the score 00 - 01 to 03 - 01 to the visitors.
With words from coach/manager Dermot O'Halloran and a rearranging of positions the girls returned to the pitch for the second half with a renewed determination. The game restarted with Castlemartyr competing more strongly in midfield and winning more breaking ball. Midfield linked up well with the half forward line and soon the full forwards were being provided with more useful ball. The pressure continued with Aisling Murphy gathering up any loose ball and Ciara Leahy delivering great supply to Carla Cosgrave, Ellen Harty and Niamh Molloy, now in the full forward position, to trouble the visitors goal.
Erin’s Own defended strongly resulting in a 45. Zara stepped up and sent in a tantalising shot which rattled the back of the net. This was quickly followed by a Ciara Leahy solo run which resulted in the green flag being raised a second time in five minutes. Zara added another goal and point, both from 45s to leave the home side lead by a single point with 10 minutes to play. The visitors stepped up the intensity and after a few attacks scored their fourth goal of the match to lead by two points. The girls didn't panic but instead gritted their teeth and dug in. With dogged determination from girls like Shauna Horgan, Maggie O'Connor, Molly Beausang and Fia Carey Hurley they powered up the pitch again and won a free 30 m from the visitor’s goal. Zara stepped up again and sent in a probing ball which went in from the hurley of a defender. This had Castlemartyr up by a point with 4 minutes to play. The last minutes were played with Castlemartyr pressing for additional scores until the final whistle was blown to end an enthralling game. A fantastic display from everyone involved and a great display of character from the girls who never once gave up.
Full Squad. Ciara Leahy, Shauna Horgan, Maggie O'Connor, Molly Beausang, Aisling Murphy,
Niamh Molloy, Ellen Harty, Carla Cosgrave, Zara Bowles, Saoirse Coughlan, Fia Carey Hurley,
Lea Hipwell.