Naas win soccer battle
St. Mary’s Baldoyle 0 Vs St. Mary’s College Naas 3
The school U-15 team started their season off with a tricky away fixture in Baldoyle, North Co. Dublin. The team, who as 1st years reached the Leinster A Cup Final and Leinster League Semi Final, were boosted by the inclusion of 3rd years Lucy Plummer, Roisin Jameson and Saoirse Hogan however with only Lucy available and other notable absences such as prolific scorer Orlagh Fitzpatrick the game was expected to be close and this proved the case.
Baldoyle starting the brightest and with a stiff sea breeze behind them, pressed Naas for much of the 1st half. They however found that the well organised defence of Anna Carpenter, Aine Mernagh, Aibhe Graham and Claudia Gray, backed up by Amy McGuire in goal meant they were limited to very few chances. Their best chance came when their winger raced clear on goal only to be hunted down and intercepted by an excellent tackle by Áine Mernagh as she was about to shoot. Naas tried hard to break on the counter but found the Baldoyle offside difficult to beat. Ella Tobin and Lorena Di Stefano created some excellent shooting chances through some neat passing to get through but when they did get clear were wasteful in front of goal.
In the 2nd half a few changes saw the introduction of Sarah Clancy and Alannah Prizeman, playing her first game for the team. Naas began to get on top and Lucy and Gillian Reilly were well in control in midfield, playing ball after ball in behind Baldoyle for Ella Tobin and the ever willing Eabha Owens to run onto. It was Eabha who eventually broke the deadlock with a fantastic volleyed finish after a great cross from Alannah.
The game started to open up and Naas took full advantage. Alannah was again put through by Eabha but the keeper saved well with her feet, however a minute later Alannah was through again played in by Lucy Cahill and this time made no mistake finishing well to the bottom corner of the net. The 3rd goal came from great work again from Eabha Owens who was everywhere, winning the ball in midfield before releasing Alannah who beat the keeper at the 2nd attempt.
Best for St. Marys Naas on the day was Aine Mernagh who was superb in defence, Gillian Reilly and Lucy Plummer who controlled midfield and Player of the Match Eabha Owens who had a brilliant game playing just behind the forwards and scored the breakthrough goal. Next up in the Leinster A Cup for Mr. Langton’s team is Ballymakenny College from Co. Louth away on Thursday October 18th. Best of luck girls.
The U-15 team train every Monday after school and new players are always welcome