The Aghaderg U-16 ladies footballers rounded off a very successful Summer League campaign on Wednesday evening running up an impressive 24 point victory over Cumann Peadar Naofa (Warrenpoint) in front of a home crowd.
The win means that the team finished top of the Summer League table and are crowned League Champions!
Over the season twenty-two girls have pulled on the red jersey for the Aghaderg U-16 LGFA team. The team is made up of a core group of eleven U-16s who are ably supported by a further eleven from the very impressive U-14 cadre.
The group have some fine athletes and some very determined and skilful footballers.
Over the season the team racked up 5 wins out of 6 beating Saul, Dundrum, Clann na Banna, Loughinisland and Cumman Peadar Naofa along the way. They also have a very impressive scoring and defensive record, as you can see from the table.
On Wednesday evening the management team had the luxury of 21 players to pick from. The visitors started strongly notching up 1-01 before the home side got into their stride. But once they started motoring there was no stopping them. Goals from Clodagh Simpson, Georgia Goodman and Niamh Moran settled the nerves in the first half and at the half time whistle the reds had a comfortable 3-07 to 1-02 lead.
The match followed a similar pattern in the second half, with the reds enhancing their dominance to finish 6-14 to 2-02 at the end. All 21 players got a game and they all played their part in winning the league for Aghaderg, which is a super achievement. There were some fine performances all over the field and nine players appearing on the scoresheet.
While it was great to win the league all celebrations have been put on hold as we face into the first round of the Championship at 12:30 on Sunday 18 September. The match is a home fixture against Dundrum. It would be great to see a big crowd at the field for the match to show your support for the girls and to give the visitors a warm Ballyvarley welcome.
To summarise where this team is, ‘a lot done but more to do’.
This group of girls have so much potential they can go all the way. They have done the preparations, they have developed their skills, they have the fitness. Now we need belief and delivery.
We are all really looking forward to the match!