Ladies win Championship first round
The match started late but that should not have been a problem as the Clanna Gael pitch is floodlit. Unfortunately, the floodlights were not working and as the second half progressed with rapidly fading light and Syls in the driving seat, the question was would the referee call a halt. Fortunately, he allowed the game go the full distance.
It was a cracking game of football, with both teams playing an open attacking running and passing style. Based on last week's Cup game between the same two teams, one would have expected Syls to dominate with the addition of their three County players. However, Clanna Gael clearly had added some extra strength and put up a much better showing than last week. Nevertheless, Syls were always on top and the scoreline does not reflect their dominance, having hit the post three times and seen two other chances go inches wide, while Clanna Gael sneaked two goals in the dark towards the end.
The highlight of this game was the scintillating performance by Nicole Owens, reflected in a personal tally of 1-8. The score of the match was finished by Michelle Walls but it was the string of inch perfect passes, involving Nicole and Sinead Aherne among others ending up with Michelle palming the ball into the net, that made this score special. A Clanna Gael supporter was heard to remark that "you wouldn't see the like of it in Croke Park".
The Syls defence deserves a lot of credit. They stood up to the strong running Clanna Gael attack fairly and squarely without fouling, as reflected in the fact that not one of the Clanna Gael scores came from frees. Maeve Killen was rock solid in goal, Amy Hazely won a lot of ball at full back and invariably managed to get it away safely to another Syl's player while Danielle Lawless was outstanding both in winning the ball and carrying it out of defence to set up attacks.
Niamh McEvoy did a huge amount of work at midfield, ably assisted by Louise Ryan whose off the ball running was a feature. Emer Tracey did a huge amount of ball carrying and, while scoring just a single point herself, unselfishly created the opportunities for other forwards to do the scoring. Sinead Aherne worked tirelessly at full forward, bringing other players into the game while scoring seven points herself, five from play. She created two classic Aherne goal chances for herself but one hit the post while the other went inches wide.
Scorers for St. Sylvester's were: Nicole Owens 1-8, Sinead Aherne 0-7, Niamh McEvoy 1-2, Lucia Hughes 1-0, Michelle Walls 1-0, Emer Tracey 0-1.
Be sure to go to Broomfield next Wednesday to see this accomplished team playing Thomas Davis in the second round.