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U14s LAST LEAGUE GAME 2016


On Sunday evening a much depleted side traveled to Douglas to play their rescheduled final league game. As the calculations were done we knew we had to win in order to progress to the County quarter final. Although some girls had returned especially for the game, there were still some of the regular starting positions up for grabs. A number of younger girls were drafted in to fill positions and were relishing the opportunity to play at this level.The team lined out with regular goalkeeper Lia Hipwell between the posts and Ellie McKenzie and Caoimhe Murphy acting as rear guards. Caoilfhionn Barry , Grainne Lynch and Zara Bowles added a very experienced half back line. Alicia Olaniran and Kelsie Asamoah made up the mid field. Forwards consisted of Faye McGrath, Lucy Kenneally and Mia Burke with Meadhbh McCarthy and Ciara Deane in the full forward line.The game started briskly and Douglas had amassed 3 wides and a goal in the first 7 minutes. Although Zara and Alicia won a lot of possession around the middle of the field and fed in probing shots to the forwards Douglas were strong in defence and cleared a lot of threats, but the persistence payed off and following some close action in the home side's goalmouth the ball crossed the line to open the scoring for Castlemartyr in the 10th minute. Following some more pressure from Douglas where they managed to hit the upright on two occasions, good work from Faye who disposed a Douglas defender earned herself a free 40 m out from the Douglas goal. Zara set herself and sent in a fierce shot which found the back of the net to put her team a goal ahead. The lead was to last only 2 minutes because Douglas repeated Zara's feat and scored a goal from a free themselves. As the half drew to a close our defenders were under constant bombardment but Ellie and Caoimhe dealt with every attack admirably only to have Douglas awarded with a free 30m out, 2m in from the sideline. The free was struck well and despite the best efforts of the girls toeing the goal line it made its way to the net to leave the hosts leading by a goal at half time.The second half started with Castlemartyr making a few positional changes. Alicia, Kelsie, Gráinne and Caoilfhionn got more involved in the play but again the Douglas defenders held firm. Alicia had a hand pass goal attempt batted away and Douglas themselves created a number of scoring chances and had raised both the green and white flags after 11 minutes which was followed by their fifth goal 13 minutes later. Meadhbh McCarthy made way for a very excited Millie Bowles , younger sister of Zara. Castlemartyr enjoyed a lot of possession with good link up play between the backs right through to the forwards and Gráinne came close on a couple of occasions to adding to the scoreboard. As the final minutes ticked down Douglas scored their second point of the game from a free which was to be the last score of the match.A defeat in this, our last league game, means, unfortunately, our U14s don't progress to the play off stages. All the girls who played today did our club and themselves proud with the way they played and the effort they put in. There were some specticular passages of play throughout the game and the final scoreline doesn't do justice to the compeditivness and effort of the girls. Well done to Dermot and all involved especially the younger girls who stepped up when called upon.Full Team:- Mia Burke, Lucy Kenneally, Gráinne Lynch, Zara Bowles, Faye McGrath, Lia Hipwell, Ciara Deane, Caoilfhionn Barry, Alicia Olaniran, Ellie McKenzie, Kelsie Asamoah, Meadhbh MCCarthy, Caoimhe Murphy & Millie Bowles.


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