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U15 Imokilly Summer League Aghada 13 - 06. Castlemartyr 01 - 03. On Thursday evening we traveled to take on a formidable Aghada team in the first round of the Imokilly Summer League. From the very start the hosts struck hard and fast and within the first 7 minutes had racked up a impressive score of 5 goals and 3 points before our girls had even settled to their task. Aghada kept up the intensity but our full back line of Saoirse Coughlan, Tara Crotty and Mia Burke did trojan work protecting their goal line and the half back line of Maggie O'Connor, Sadhbh Beausang and Ellen Harty absorbed huge amounts of pressure. Castlemartyr began to get ball in to our forwards and after three narrow wides in quick succession we opened our account in the 15th minute with a well taken point from Zara Bowles after good play from fellow midfielder Alicia Olaniran. Aghada responded with another onslaught and had scored another 3 goals and 2 points before Zara scored her second point, this time from a free. Half forwards Ciara Leahy, Aisling Harty and Grainne Lynch were now seeing more of the action and were creating chances but unfortunately further scores were hard to come by. Ciara Deane replaced Grainne due to an injury as the first half entered the final stages. Aghada finished the half by adding a further 3 goals before the short whistle blew. At half time the handful of supporters that were there rallied around the girls. After some insightful words from Dermot and encouragement from parents they took to the field again. Like so many times before our girls never once dropped their head. They stood tall and fought on even though they knew the battle was lost. Zara, Sadhbh, Alicia and Ciara were playing with much more flair and Saoirse dominated as full back with some fine clearances. Lia Hipwell in goal continued to bring off some fine saves and laid the foundation for a much more competitive match. Full forward line of Caoimhe Dowley, Hannah McElhinney and Kate McCarthy caused problems in the goalmouth and came close on a few occasions only to be thwarted by a very solid Aghada defence. In the third quarter Aghada had only managed a goal, and a point scored from a 45. Zara added to our score with another point from a free before the hosts raised the green flag for the final time. Lilly McElhinney and Caoilfhionn Barry were introduced and as the game was drawing to a close Zara again stepped up to take another free and this time found the back of the net with a blistering shot from the 20m line. As the light was fading and the rain clouds were starting to roll in the final whistle blew. Although we were again out scored in the second half it was a much tighter affair and our girls gave us a display of what we have come to expect of them. The spirit and never say die attitude that each girl on this team possess has to be seen to be believed. Definitely a night for lessons to be learned but the commitment shown by the girls and their desire to compete even when all seems lost is inspiring.
Full team:- Lea Hipwell, Tara Crotty, Saoirse Coughlan, Mia Burke, Maggie O'Connor, Sadhbh Beausang, Ellen Harty (Capt.), Zara Bowles, Alicia Olaniran, Ciara Leahy, Aisling Harty, Grainne Lynch, Caoimhe Dowley, Hannah McElhinney, Kate McCarthy, Lilly McElhinney, Caoilfhionn Barry and Ciara Deane.