Desertmartin 7 – 9 : 1 – 3 Steelstown
The U14 Girls rounded off a marvellous season by winning the A Championship Shield today at Owenbeg with a resounding victory over Steelstown. Played in glorious sunshine the St Martin’s girls were worthy winners as they overpowered the city girls from start to finish.
In the vast open spaces of Owenbeg Desertmartin were in firm control in all areas of the pitch. With Kate McCann and Cara Donnelly having a monopoly of possession between the two 45s it was a case of feed the forwards and they’ll do the rest. This they did with Maria McGovern and Ashlinn McElhennon accounting for all their first half scores to lead at halftime 7 – 3 to 0 – 2. The game as a contest was over by half time. In the second period the Desertmartin management used all their subs but the pattern of the game continued with St Martin’s in the driving seat. The Saffrons added a further 0 – 6 to their halftime score while Steelstown replied with 1 – 1.
Despite being outclassed Steelstown remained competitive with their No. 9 being their standout player. She got her just rewards with a well-taken goal in the later stages of the game. Although it was the forwards who caught the eye Desertmartin were secure in defence with really good performances from Tori Donnelly, Leigh McGovern and Ava Bradley. As captain Cara Donnnelly received the trophy it concluded a wonderful season which saw Desertmartin’s U14 Girls compete on the national stage with a sterling journey in the U14 Feile which ended in an All Ireland semi-final placing last weekend.
The club are very grateful to the girls and the management team of Paul Scullion, Paul Donnelly and James Frain for giving the GAA community of our parish a marvellous season of football.
Desertmartin: E Barker; C O’Kane; T Donnelly; H Scullion; L McGovern; A Bradley; C Donnelly; K McCann; A Henry; A McElhennon; K Devlin; M McGovern and L Murray