Silvermines claim Under 19 Ladies Football title

Silvermines 2-6

Holycross 1-5

 

Silvermines claimed the County Under 19 'B' Ladies Football title following a four point win over Holycross in Littleton on Saturday.

From the throw-in, Silvermines were pegged back into their own half, facing into a strong wind and were forced into carrying the ball out of defence. Holycross kept up the pressure for the first ten minutes and went ahead, but Silvermines dug in.

At half time the girls led 1-3 to 0-3 and turning to play with the wind in the second half, the signs were all looking good. Emma Coleman and Hazel Reynolds were called from the forward line up to help out in midfield and from here the girls never looked back. Aoife Ryan pulled off a miracle one-handed save which spurred the girls on even more.

After all the good work done in the first half, it took a while for them to deliver the killer blow and finish the game off, until Katie Costello stepped up to show everyone her aerial prowess and then turned to thrash the ball into the net to leave the girls clear entering the final stages.

Defensively Ellen Maher, Michelle Sage, and Leanne Ryan were physically strong in their duties and conceded very little. With the very strong and solid centre back Katie Murphy bursting through the middle, and half backs Annie Ryan and Rachel Shanahan springing from defence with great effect joining midfield duo Ciara Ryan and player of the game Emer Tuohy. These girls moved very swiftly through the gears into attack to feed Mary O’Brien, Ellen and Niamh Cunneen with great possession to terrorise the Holycross defenders.

Sarah Madden was immense at centre forward and carved her way through at ease to get into great positions and when the time came finishing in great style to the back of the Holycross net.

Kate Cavanagh and Niamh O’Brien entered the fray late in the dying moments but did all that was needed for the last few minutes. Neither Saoirse Shanahan nor Eileen Gleeson were called upon from the bench, but had shown their great ability at junior level already this year.

Also, with players like Isabell Farnan, Roisin and Naoise Houlihan, Katie Grace, Kiara Harty and Fiona Hennessy all unavailable for the game, it really shows the talented strength and depth of the entire panel.

Great support from the sideline fans and parents added to the occasion and helped the girls to celebrate in style. It was a fantastic achievement, with most of these girls now double champions with the U17 division 2 league title also under their belt as the girls were definitely more value for ability and class. All involved are so proud of this amazing bunch of ladies. Roll on 2019.

Silvermines panel: Aoife Ryan, Ellen Maher, Leanne Ryan, Michelle Sage, Annie Ryan, Katie Murphy, Rachel Shanahan, Emer Tuohy, Ciara Ryan, Niamh Cunneen, Sarah Madden, Ellen Cunneen, Isabell Farnan, Emma Coleman, Hazel Reynolds, Katie Costello, Kate Cavanagh, Katie Grace, Mary O’Brien, Niamh O’Brien, Eileen Gleeson, Kiara Harty. Saoirse Shanahan, Roisin Houlihan, Naoise Houlihan, Fiona Hennessey. Manager/Coach: Rory Kennedy.