Curracloe 3-8 Horeswood 2-2
Curracloe claimed the Allianz Cumann na mBunscoil MiniSevens Girls’ football title in Bellefield on Monday last, despite a spirited second half comeback by a hard-working Horeswood team.
Curracloe started the game much better than their opponents and were quick to use the strong breeze to their advantage and put important scores on the scoreboard. Outstanding Curracloe midfielder Sarah Harding Kenny scored 1-2 in the opening minutes as it took some time for Horeswood to settle into the game. This was not helped by the brilliant defending of Curracloe’s Mikaela Lanigan who made it very hard for them to create chances to score. Another goal and a well taken point from a 45 brought Sarah Harding Kenny’s total up to 2-3 and just before halftime her midfield partner Siobhan Doolan also scored three excellent points to build up a strong halftime lead of 2-6 to 0-0.
Horeswood were not to be beaten easily though and came out for the second half a very different team. Grainne Ryan was very unlucky not to score a point and a goal when she saw her early attempts go just wide. Soon after, Jennifer Cummins made a great run and set up Chloe Banville for a goal and then Grainne Ryan followed this up with a pointed free. It was now the turn of Horewood’s Kate Chapman and Faye Prendergast to give the crowd a display of great defending and for a long time Curracloe found it difficult to score again until Curracloe defender Ailis Neville made a fantastic block to deny Chloe Banville another scoring opportunity and this seemed to inspire the Curracloe girls who went up the field to score two quick Siobhan Doolan points.
Horeswood rallied yet again and were unlucky not to get another goal when Grainne Ryan rattled the crossbar and watched the ball go over, but their second goal came soon after when Chloe Power passed to Chloe Banville for a cool finish into the bottom left corner the game was set up for a close finish. Curracloe were not to be beaten however and composed themselves to finish strongly with another Sarah Harding Kenny goal to seal a well deserved win.
After the match Rackard League Co. Secretary Jim Dempsey presented the cup to Curracloe Captain Siobhan Doolan who thanked teachers, parents and team coach James Murphy for all their help and support during the year.