Clinical finishing boosts Rathbeggan to victory
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The Rathbeggan NS players before the Girls Div 3 final were (from left): back - Lily Byrne, Mischa O’Brien, Erin Murray, Emily Killoran, Sarah Hayden, Emily Cleary, Grainne Moore, Emilyrose Ryan, Emily Young, Muireann Boyle O’Toole, Georgie Moore; front - Skye O’Brien, Sophie Bastick Bryne, Ciara Mulcahy, Ceara Coulter, Mischa O’Brien, Alessandra Stanley, Ruby Somers, Mia Nuzum, Holly Williams.PHOTO: DAVID MULLEN-WWW.CYBERIMAGES.NET. David MullenImage 2 of 5
The Skryne players for the Girls Div 3 final were (from left): back - Zoe Geraghty, Sarah Corry, Maeve Quinn, Aoibhinn Chapman, Laura Toomey, Sophie Gibbons, Abaigh Foley, Ellen Doyle, Serena Swan, Katie May Nolan, Kate Harrington, Eimear Murphy, Amber Wynne, Elsa Stone, Layla Rogan, Aisling Doyle. Front - Lorelai Swan, Bonnie Jones, Stephanie Clarke, Evie Naughton, Emily Hanley, Hannah Jackson, Elle Jay Carberry, Jennifer Corry, Ava Fay, Isla Naughton, Blaithin Hamill, Alexis Swan, Fiadh Chapman. David MullenImage 3 of 5
Mary Devine (centre) representing Cumann na mBunscoil presented the trophy to Rathbeggan captains Ceara Coulter (left) and Sarah Hayden after the Girls Div 3 final. David MullenImage 4 of 5
Katie May Nolan (Skryne NS) shows plenty of determination as she seeks to surge past Rathbeggan NS’s Muireann Boyle O’Toole and Skye O’Brien. PHOTO: DAVID MULLEN-WWW CYBERIMAGES.NET. David MullenImage 5 of 5
Meath Chronicle’s Jimmy Geoghegan presented the Spirit of the Final Award to Rathbeggan NS player Erin Murray. David MullenGIRLS DIV 3 FINAL
The closeness between these two superbly fit, well-coached teams in this Girls Div 3 final on Sunday was reflected in the way it took until the 12th minute for either side to register a score - and what a score it was too.
Alessanda Stanley found the net for with a spectacular effort - and it set Rathbeggan NS on the road to a 2-4 to 0-4 victory, a very well deserved victory at that. What a way it was to mark Rathbeggan's first appearance at Pairc Tailteann for many years.
At the break Rathbeggan led 1-3 to 0-0 and while Skryne gave a spirited, determined second-half display there was simply no stopping the team in white and blue. No holding them back once those winning posts were in sight. Skryne players were heroic in the way they kept battling until the very last second. They just couldn't fashion a victory this time.
That early goal was the start of a five-star display from Stanley. The Rathbeggan player tagged on four well-executed points to her account during the course of a contest watched by a big crowd.
Stanley's goal also showed the value of team-work and the benefit of a top quality goalkeeper. Rathbeggan's netminder Ruby Somers made a great save from Skryne's Isla Naughton. Within seconds the ball was cleared and worked downfield and Stanley fired to the net. Sarah Hayden also found the net for the winners her goal scored in the closing stages. The score also put the destination of the trophy beyond doubt.
Erin Murray also fired over a point in that second-half as Rathbeggan sought to withstand a determined effort by Skryne to get themselves back in the game.
During his gripping contest Skryne put together many high-octane attacks - and some of them bore fruit with Sophie Gibbons twice converting frees while Katie May Nolan and Laura Toomey each registered a point apiece from play.
In the closing stages Naughton had a shot deflected out for a '45' but it's doubtful that even if it had gone into the net it would have prevented Rathbeggan from claiming a sweet victory they most certainly derserved. Skyrne, no doubt, will be back.
Rathbeggan NS - Ruby Somers; Ceara Coulter, Muireann Boyle O’Toole; Skye O’Brien, Erin Murray (0-1), Mischa O’Brien; Sarah Hayden (1-1 free), Ciara Mulcahy; Emilyrose Ryan, Alessandra Stanley (1-4), Emily Cleary; Sophie Bastick-Byrne, Lucy Everard. Subs - Emily Killoran, Lily Byrne, Georgie Moore, Gráinne Moore, Mia Nuzum, Holly Williams, Emily Young. Mentors - Mollie Byrne, Ross Geddes.
Skryne NS - Ellen Doyle; Sarah Corry, Abaigh Foley; Maeve Quinn, Emily Hanly, Serena Swan; Kate Harrington, Sophie Gibbons (0-2 frees); Ava Fay, Evie Naughton, Katie May Nolan (0-1); Laura Toomey (0-1), Isla Naughton. Subs - Aoibhinn Chapman, Aisling Doyle, Hannah Jackson, Elle Jay Carberry, Jennifer Corry, Stephanie Clarke, Bonnie Jones, Blaithín Hamill, Elsa Stone, Layla Rogan, Amber Wynne, Eimear Murphy, Alexis Swan, Lorelai Swan, Fiadh Chapman, Zoe Geraghty, Aoife Ward. Mentors - Aoife Foxe, Gráinne Harrington.
Referee - Martin Griffin (St Paul’s NS, Navan).