Gaeil Fhánada’s under-13 girls overcame Naomh Padraig, Muff in an exciting county final in Convoy at the weekend.
Gaeil Fhánada 3-4 Naomh Pádraig, Muff 2-4
We had all four seasons during the course of the game, from hailstones to sunshine but a strong breeze remained, blowing down towards the training field for the entire game.
The girls from Inishowen had the wind advantage in the first period, and were first to get on the scoreboard in the third minute.
Both teams struggled with the windy conditions in the opening period and hit a wide each before the games first goal arrived after ten minutes, Naomh Pádraig scoring after a low drive sneaked inside the near post.
Fanad responded immediately through Aideen Friel, who was immense in the opening period.
Aideen burst through the centre and buried her shot high into the net.
Naomh Pádraig almost responded straight away, a shot which seemed to be destined for the top corner was brilliantly saved by Gaeil Fhánada netminder, Leah Mc Loughlin.
They added another point to increase their lead to two, but Aideen Friel again stepped up for the Gaels to reply with a point of her own.
Leah and full back Caitlin Heraghty did well to deny Naomh Pádraig a second goal but the team were defending well as a unit.
Rachel Friel, Ciara Gibbons, Róisín Carr and Méabh Mc Ateer were all working hard in the forward line and weren’t giving the Naomh Pádraig defenders much time to clear their lines, which was important against the breeze.
They did add a point in the 20th minute to double their lead, but a superb Emma Hunter point just before the break reduced the gap to a point at half time.
Gaeil Fhánada 1-2 Naomh Pádraig 1-3.
The girls from Muff came out strongly at the beginning of the second period, and yet again some fine last gasp defending and goalkeeping ensured the ball didn’t cross the line.
Méabh McAteer was to have the first big say of the second half; good work through the centre involving Eva Blaney and Aideen Friel led to Méabh gathering the ball close to goal and she made no mistake.
Naomh Pádraig replied instantly, hitting the ball over the bar to reduce the gap to one.
Fanad upped their game during this period, with Megan McLoughlin and Iseult Ní Mhathúna really taking the game to the opposition, while Eva Blaney was performing well in the half forward line.
Olivia Friel and Áine McElwaine were both introduced after half time and made good contributions throughout.
Fanad did rely on a great defensive interception from Mia McGarvey to avert the danger on one occasion while Ella McBride was doing great work in the back line as well. Megan Mc Loughlin kicked a free for the Gaels before Iseult Ní Mhathúna got her name on the scoresheet with a fine goal.
That put a little bit of daylight between the teams for the first time with Gaeil Fhánada opening up a five point lead.
Both teams had efforts on goal saved; Caitlin Heraghty was putting in a huge performance at full back, aided ably by Aoife Shiels beside her.
Megan McLoughlin added another point from a free to open up a six point gap midway through the second half.
Remarkably, neither team were able to add to their tallies for almost ten minutes, a mixture of difficult conditions, great defending and going for goal was the cause of this.
Fanad should have added to their tally and almost rued the fact that they didn’t as the game rolled on towards its conclusion.
Naomh Pádraig came with a last barrage of chances, but the Gaels rearguard stood firm, Megan McLoughlin and Jessica Coll putting great pressure on their opponents.
he Naomh Pádraig goal eventually came with a minute remaining to make it a three point game once more. Gaeil Fhánada weren’t to be denied however, and with Leah McLoughlin and Caitlin Heraghty minding the house, and a great bit of defensive work from Aideen Friel at the end, it was enough to get the girls over the line.
There were great scenes at the end of the game with the girls enjoying the moment with their teammates.
Aideen Friel and Emma Hunter put in big shifts in the first half while the Mc Loughlin twins and Caitlin Heraghty stood out in the second.
Iseult Ní Mhathúna was brilliant throughout while Méabh Mc Ateer and Eva Blaney were both dangerous inside.
Great credit to both teams for their spirited performance in difficult conditions.
It was a great moment for the Fanad contingent in attendance when team captain, Aoife Shiels was presented with the shield at the end.
A special word of praise for coach Tracey Mc Bride who has put in countless hours with these girls over the past couple of years and saw them get their rewards.
