Syls Girls first ever Minor Championship
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The girls played Division 2 in the League and Division 3 in the
Championship. The finished a very credible mid table position in the Div
2 League after winning four games losing four games and drawing one
game. Syls lost to O'Dwyers 2-5 to 2-15 in the final League game.
Both Syls and O'Dwyers were the two strongest sides in the Division 3
Championship and both ended up against each other in the Championship
Final in St Margaret's on Saturday 27th October 2012. The game had to be
postponed on a couple of occasions due to Syls Senior team's
involvement in the Intermediate Leinster Final. Declan Hetherton who has
trained the team since 2005 therefore missed the game as he is away in
Florida. Before going on Wednesday Declan hatched a plan to beat the
opposition. He also arranged to bring Michael McCarthy, Peter Clarke and
Kevin McCabe on Board to help out on the day of the final.
Syls eventually won the Championship Final 4-3 to 1-5 in the end.
Though this was a seven point win the game was much closer and O'Dwyers
posed a very real threat. In the first half O'Dwyers missed a good few
chances before opening the scoring after ten minutes with a point. Syls
responded with a goal from Emer Treacy. O'Dwyers scored another couple
of points to level the game before Louise Ryan scored a second goal.
Before half time O'Dwyers added a fourth point. Half time score Syls 2-0
O'Dwyers 0-4.
At the beginning of the second half Emer Treacy added a third goal
and then a point. O'Dwyers responded with a point. Syls 3-1 O'Dwyers
0-5. O'Dwyers who had several very strong players pressed very hard in
the last period. Aisling Gill was called to make a few very good saves.
O'Dwyers eventually got the ball into the net Syls 4-1 O'Dwyers 1-5
leaving 5 points between the teams. This was O'Dwyers last score and
Syls pressed home their advantage with two late points. Final score Syls
4-3 O'Dwyers 1-5. In fairness seven points difference did not reflect
the difference between the two teams. O'Dwyers were in the game up to
the last minute and only very accurate blocking by Syls defenders
prevented O'Dwyers from coming back. There were great celebrations at
the final whistle and it was great to see such a great crowd over from
Syls for the game.
Aisling Gill in her last Minor game was brilliant in goal. Labaoishe
Brannigan, Niamh Harney, and Aoife O'Flynn, were excellent in the full
back line. Eilis Meaney, Ciara Lynch (Captain), and Clare Hopkins also
played very well. Leah Harrold and Louise Ryan made a big contribution
at center field. Levi McGrattan Meadbh Reid and Graine McGinty played a
big part in the half forward line. Emma Lynch Emer Treacy and Lisa
Murphy were outstanding. Emma Sullivan and Emma Sullivan came in as subs
and did very well. Michelle Lambe who will replace Aisling Gill in goal
next year was on her way on when the final whistle sounded. She had
some outstanding performances earlier in the year. Ciara Kinsella,
Charlie Glanville, Maura McGrath & Rachael Whalley all helped out in
the games earlier in the year.
The new Manager of the Dublin Minor Team for 2013 Conor Barry was
at the game and was very impressed with the players on both sides and
took several names for the upcoming trials. Dublin will be defending
their All Ireland title next year and no doubt some of the Syls &
O'Dwyers players will be helping out.
All the Syls girls with the exception of Aisling Gill will be
available for Minor grade in 2013 and the aim will be to win either a
Division 1 Minor title or a Division 2 Minor title. The decision on
which competition to enter will be made following next years league.
Peter Hickey took some brilliant photographs (64 in all which can be
seen on the Dublin Ladies Site) Peter picked Emer Treacy as player of
the Match after she scored 3-2. Emer pipped Niamh Harney to the post.
Niamh also had an outstanding game.
Syls Cailiní Abú,
Eddie