Historic victory for Kilbeg side
Winning can become a habit and Kilbeg NS's ability to dig out victories in this year's Girls' Div4/Div 5 Shield competition was demonstrated again at Trim on Wednesday last when they overcame a gritty, spirited Dunderry NS side by 2-4 to 0-5 to end up with their first Cumann na mBunscol Girls silverware.
Kilbeg defeated Dunderry, Kilmainhamwood, Mount Hanover and Nobber on the way to the final and they had to certainly work hard to overcome a Dunderry NS side that took some time to get going - but once they did they were a real threat.
The victory was based on a very strong opening half display from Kilbeg who showed touches of real class to go in at the break 2-2 to 0-1 ahead.
Chloe Farrelly was in the right place at the right time to grab a goal for the team in red with a superb finish. She later added a fine point for good measure.
Her scoring tally was the same as colleague Una Uradnikova's. Just before the interval Uradnikova found the net for her goal when she weaved her way through the normally ultra secure Dunderry defence in which full-back Ruby Perkins was superb.
Abbie Jackson also fired over the bar to help Kilbeg go in at break ahead. Katie Fee did extremely well to land Dunderry's only first-half score.
Dunderry enjoyed long spells of dominance in the second-half. They were driven on by players such as the ever-busy, ever-enterprising Emma McGuinness who finished with two points and the excellent Lexie Hyland who also raised two white flags as the gripping contest ebbed and flowed.
Kilbeg were greatly helped by some high-quality saves by goalkeeper Hazel O'Connor. She did particularly well to deny Jackson a goal.
The last score of this close encounter was landed by Uradnikova when she pointed from close in. Soon after that point the final whistle sounded and Kilbeg were left to celebrate.
Kilbeg NS - Hazel O’Connor; Kayla Farrelly, Lauren Weldon, Kaylah Weldon, Sophie McConnell; Abbie Jackson (0-2), Kate Crosby; Chloe Farrelly (1-1), Una Uradnikova (1-1), Nicole O’Connell, Riah McGovern. Subs - Muireann Nulty, Caoimhe Traynor, Michaela Carolan-Robertson, Lexi Shankey, Siofra Reilly, Chloe Fitzpatrick, Ruby Kellett, Zoe Monaghan, Amy Barrett-Lynch. Mentors - Jennifer Farrelly, Thomas Farrelly.
Dunderry NS - Emma Fortune; Zoe Shipp, Ruby Perkins, Emma McGuinness (0-2 one free), Freya O’Donnell; Lexie Hyland (0-2 one free), Annie O’Brien; Tilda Smyth, Isabel Murray, Katie Fee (0-1), Rochel McGovern. Subs - Zara Collier, Bonnie Connaghan, Ellie Gilligan, Leah Hogan, Kate McManus, Evie Murphy, Lillymae Walker. Mentors - Ellen Cahalin, Tom Lee, Hilary Burke.
Referee - James Minnock (Wilkinstown NS).