Colemanstown’s U12 girls earned a place in the Div1 Cup final as they strolled past Colga ‘B’ with a commanding 4-0 away win yesterday morning.
Linda Phillip’s ‘little legends’ made no apologies in their style of play throughout, particularly in the second half when they took the game to the opposition. Although both sides were evenly matched for the first period of the first half, it took Colemanstown a while to bed themselves into the game having to field without regular striker Roisin Keague, top scorer Chloe Flynn & defender Anna O’Connor. Recent signing Della Griffin filled the centre mid role as if she’d never been away. In the first half, the hosts had plenty of chances but Ruby Lynch was in fine form in goals and was buoyed up by a strong defence line of Leah O’Connor, Aisling Ruane & Méabh Mitchell.
The strong midfield line of Roisin O’Dea, Della Griffin & Lillie Kirby never once relented in their attacking endeavours, blitzing their opponents completely in the second half. Colemanstown went ahead mid way through the first half courtesy of an own goal as they were still acclimatising with the game. A back pass to Colga’s keeper was mis-timed and there was enough momentum on the ball to carry it over the line. OGs are not the sweetest goals to score but you’d take them if they’re being dished out! 1-0 at half time despite the best efforts of Sophie Kelly & Roisin Ruane to extend the lead.
In the 2nd half, Colemanstown were virtually camped in the Colga half of the field for almost all of the half as they lifted the tempo of the game. 5mins after the restart, Lillie Kirby’s thunderous drive from midfield found the net for as good a goal as you’d see anywhere. 10mins later she claimed her brace with another long range effort which sailed all the way to the net, identical enough to her first.
Della Griffin put the game beyond Colga’s reach 5mins before the end with a great individual goal as she dribbled almost half the length of the field before scoring on her first day back since last season. Liliana King & Rachel Kennedy were both sprung from the bench for the 2nd half & made a huge impact immediately on their introduction. However, a brilliant 2nd half performance was enough to book a place in the Div1 Cup final.
Well done girls, an exciting game. We await the cup final with anticipation.
Photo: L to R: Lillie kirby, Leah O’Connor, Roisin Ruane, Meabh Mitchell, Della Griffin, Roisin O’Dea, Sophie Kelly, Ruby Lynch, Liliana King, Aisling Ruane and Rachel Kennedy in front.
Missing from photo: Chloe Flynn, Roisin Keague, Anna O’Connor.
