Friday, 27 October 2017 at 07:11 AM Galvin Early
Sunday past was a day of note for Owen Roe’s GAC when the Club fielded 2 teams in U-16 finals, the Ladies in the League final and the boys’ U-16 team in the Championship final, with both matches billed as a double header in Drumragh. Indeed it should be noted that it was also the boys’ second final in a week, having already played the League final last Sunday and also that the Ladies Minor team have their League final replay, hopefully next weekend. However both teams and our big crowd of supporters were to leave Drumragh empty handing, falling to Trillick and Gael Naomh Pádraig respectively.
The Ladies opened the double bill with their League final against a much fancied Trillick side, the only side to beat the Roe’s girls in their League campaign thus far. Trillick opened the scoring with their first point almost from the throw-in but this was soon cancelled by a point from Kirstie Mc Fadden. Trillick again pointed but Emer Mc Aleer again kept the Roe’s level then Ciara Mc Nulty nosed them in front with a third point. However Trillick then stepped it up a gear and, with the aid of a strong to their backs, were soon in the driving seat over the next 15 minutes or so, scoring 1-03 without reply. The Roe’s then lost Racheda Kelly on a yellow card but the Roe’s dug deep for the 10 minute sin-bin and held Trillick to 2 points before Racheda’s re-introduction, Trillick failing to capitalise on the numerical advantage. A Chloe Mc Cafferty free narrowed the gap but Trillick pointed a free of their own at the other end to restore their lead. With the approaching half time, an opportunistic goal for Mc Cafferty narrowed the lead further, the ball bouncing and going over the keeper’s head.
Half-time and it was Owen Roe’s 1-04 Trillick 2-08.
Trillick got off to a dream start in the second half. An early point was followed up by what seemed an own goal scored by the Leckpatrick defence. This however didn’t deter the Roe’s side and they somehow kept plugging away and were making things hard for Trillick. The Roe’s persistence and tenacity was soon rewarded. The play went down the field and resulted in a penalty for Roe's, the Trillick keeper saves. The ball is played upfield again, Trillick forward fouled and again a penalty is awarded. The penalty strikes the crossbar, the rebound falls to Trillick who goaled. The Roe's worked the ball back downfield again. Chloe mc Cafferty points. The kickout fell to the Roe's again and Mc Cafferty is left one on one with keeper who made no mistake. The goal for Chloe is followed up with a Naomh Doherty pointed free.
Trillick were struggling to get a momentum going and, against the run of play, pulled off a goal for themselves to stay in command with the minutes ticking away. The game went into injury time and a point for each team, Racheda Kelly scoring for Owen Roe’s, brought the game to a close with Trilllick running out winners. Final score: Owen Roe’s 2-07 Trillick 5 -09.
The girls can take some consolation from a second half display where they made Trillick fight for their win. A strong wind in the first half gave Trillick a platform to build their lead. Roe's lost this benefit in the second half but they put in a strong performance they, their managers, their families and their Club can be proud of! A disappointing end to a great League campaign for the Ladies U-16 team at Owen Roe's but some of the panel still have a Ladies Minor League Final replay to look forward, hopefully to be played this weekend, against Rock.
Karen Hegarty, Joanna Mc Shane, Tara Donaghey, Mairead Devine, Caoimhe Barr, Courteney Devine, Alex Kelly, Kelsey Mc Nulty, Racheda Kelly, Naomh Doherty (0-01 from free), Chantelle Mc Nulty, Emer Mc Aleer (0-01), Kirstie Mc Fadden (0-01), Ciara Mc Nulty (0-01) and Chloe Mc Cafferty (2-02, 1-01 from frees).Subs: Morgan Devine for Ciara Mc Nulty, Shakyra Kelly for Caoimhe Barr.
