Match Report

Relentless Aghaderg seal Triple Crown with U-13 County Championship Success

Date Filed: 30 October 2021

Aghaderg 6-13 Bryansford 2-6

On Sunday 24th October, Aghaderg U13 ladies faced Bryansford in a championship final held in sunny Liatroim. The large travelling support from Aghaderg were in full voice and armed with an array of red & white flags to cheer on the young ladies, and they were not to be disappointed.

The first half started off very tentatively with both teams working hard to establish a foothold in the match, with evidence of some pre-match nerves from both sides. It was tit for tat in the first period, in which both defences were on top. Aghaderg defenders Tara McQuaid & Sarah McGrath battled exceptionally well against some top-quality attacking play from Bryansford and repelled attack after attack, while Emma O’Kane provided great respite for the defence with her purposeful runs turning defence into attack on a number of occasions. The midfield pairing of Macie Haggart & Cliodhna McGrath provided a platform in midfield to launch each attack winning the majority of their kickouts at both sides of the pitch, while the hardworking half-forwards Orla & Amy Fullerton provided a great link to create chances for the rest of the forwards. At the first water break, only 2 points separated the sides with Aghaderg leading 1-2 to 0-3 in a very tight and cagey battle.

The initial part of the second period continued in the same vein with Aghaderg battling for each possession and score, until the tide turned late in the first half. At this stage, the Aghaderg attack caught fire, with Lauren Devlin & Clodagh Simpson wreaking havoc in the Bryansford defence blasting 2 quick-fire shots to the net as well as tagging on a number of points. This left the Aghaderg girls with some breathing space with the half time score reading 3-7 to 0-3, however this score didn’t reflect how difficult Aghaderg were finding the opposition.

Bryansford started the second half with great purpose in an attempt to get back into the match and registered a goal and point to bring the deficit back to 9 points and give them some hope of a comeback. However, great defensive play by the ever-reliable Sarah Morgan and the Rea sisters (Isabelle & Grace) ensured that the hope was short-lived. Aghaderg reasserted their authority on the match, with Cara McCauley providing an assist for Lauren Connolly to finish to the net. This dented the confidence of Bryansford team and Aghaderg tagged on a further goal before the second water break courtesy of Clodagh Simpson. Bria Morgan, Lucy Lennon and Clare Reilly entered the fray to add some fresh legs to forward line. The score at the second water break was 5-7 to 1-4.

The final 15 minutes saw Aghaderg continue in the ascendency with scores from Simpson, Devlin & Connolly leaving no doubt about the end result. Substitutes Gianna Scappaticci & Elle Convery made an impact upon their introduction to the match, while goalkeeper Eirnin McAlinden produced some excellent saves which ensured that Aghaderg could close out the game in the knowledge that they would be victorious.

At the final whistle scenes of jubilation ensued from the players to celebrate their historic victory.

Final Score:
Aghaderg 6-13 Bryansford 2-6

Aghaderg U-13 ladies’ footballers completed an historic season on Sunday by claiming the U-13B Championship title, to append to their earlier league successes in the U-13C & U-13B leagues in 2021. In total the girls played 15 games in 2021 to include challenge matches, 2 league campaigns and a championship run and remained unbeaten throughout.

The large panel of 30 girls had prepared well for the final appearance having fought off the opposition of Castlewellan and Bredagh in the previous rounds, with each player contributing towards the success in all three competitions.

U-13 panel 2021
Eirnin McAlinden, Grace Rea, Emma O'Kane ©, Sarah McGrath, Isabelle Rea, Sarah Morgan, Tara McQuaid, Macie Haggart, Cliodhna McGrath, Amy Fullerton, Clodagh Simpson, Orla Fullerton, Lauren Connolly, Lauren Devlin, Cara McCauley, Bria Morgan, Lucy Lennon, Elle Convery, Clare Reilly, Gianna Scappaticci, Kaitlyn Bagnall, Ellen Savage, Orlaith Burns, Aoife McGrady, Niamh McGrath, Caragh Simpson, Ellie-Rose Morgan, Eilidh O'Neill, Caoimhe Keenan, Natalie McDonald.