Syls v Syls ladies - Syls win

The current U16 team were a bit apprehensive when they saw the strength of talent they were up against. Sinead Aherne was taking a break and watched from the sideline. Niamh McEvoy fresh from scoring three goals for the Dubs against Kerry the previous Sunday played most of the match. Both teams were missing some of their regular players and it ended up a fairly even contest. The U16 girls started very well with the wind and were 1-1 to 0-0 up after 5 minutes. Leah White got both scores. At this stage Niamh McEvoy was introduced and did very well from mid field to get the Seniors going. However Kim White did an excellent marking job on Niamh in the middle and limited a lot of damage. The Game was played in three 20 minuts sections and at the end of the first 20 it was level u16 1-4 Senior Ladies 2-1. Leah White scored 1-4 in this section.

The Seniors had the wind in the second section and were far more impressive with goals and points from Katie Slattery and Niamh Gallagher and a great goal from Fiona Aherne (Sinead's sister). As far as I can recall Orla Moynahan also tacked on a point. Leah White and Rachael Walley scored a point each the U16's against the wind leaving it U16's 1-6 Seniors 3-5 after the second section.

With the wind again in the last section the U16 began to apply further pressure and missed a number of chances. Ciara Lynch did add another point for the U16's leaving the Final score Seniors 3-5 U16's 1-7. This was a great over all performance by both teams.

Leah White was player of the match with an amazing 1-5 scored. For the Seniors there were great performances from Tracey McCruddan, Jane Dwyer, Katie Slattery and of Course Niamh McEvoy. Aoife Brannigan, Sinead Treacy & Diane McIlhagga, Aisling Hughes (her first game) and Orla Moynhan were also very good. Fiona Aherne and Niamh Gallagher were also outstanding. A few new players also started and showed great potential.

For the U16 team Eimer Treacy played in goal because of a leg injury and she did very well. Niamh Harney, Sara Roiter Eilis Ní Maoinaí Ciara Lynch and Leah Harrold were all outstanding in the backs. At centre field Kim White and Levi McGrattan were also excellent. Emma Sullivan and Emma Lynch returned after playing a full U14 league game V O'Dwyers in Balbriggan to play a full game here (it reminded me of Des Foley in the Railway Cup in 1961), and they were brilliant. Rachael Walley, Ciara Cummins, Hanna Cowley and Leah White as already mentioned were excellent.

No doubt if the Seniors need back up in terms of numbers in the coming year it will be available from this U16 team. Best of luck to both teams in the competitions.

Le meas,