Kildangan Nurney U14s claim League Title

Post date: Jun 18, 2017 11:12:42 PM

A thrilling encounter is what the Under 14 Division 5 final between Athy and Kildangan/Nurney can be described. With Athy opening the scoring K&N responded through Alyssa Abbey minutes later.Some determined defensive work from captain Megan Fitzpatrick and her sister Zoe Fitzpatrick stopped several attacking moves from the talented Athy full forward line. The other defensive sister pairing of Aisling Reilly and older sister Caoimhe Reilly battled relentlessly to keep out the Athy attack.Points were traded between the sides with Alyssa Abbey adding 3 more points and both Aisling Lennon and Siofra Kelly adding a point each to see K&N leading by the minimum margin of 1 point in the sweltering heat at the half time break. However, a massive blow came for K&N just before the halftime break when one of our star performers, Ciara Kelly had to be taken off with a hand injury sustained during play.Athy came out quickest at the start of the second half adding on two points to go ahead, 7 points to 6.With massive battling performances of the mid field pairing of Alyssa Whelan and Katie Prendergast K&N rallied and through some wonderful link up play between the mid field and the forwards Siofra Kelly struck with a goal to put K&N back in front.Additional points were tagged on the day by some outstanding play from Aisling Lennon, Hollie Howard and Ella Homan to put K&N 5 points clear.

Not giving up in any area Athy struck for a goal reducing the margin to 2 points. However, immediately from the kick out of Niamh Fitzgerald in goals who was accurate in finding her team all day K&N had the ball in the back of the net again through another rocket of a shot from Siofra Kelly.

With 15 minutes to go K&N began to take command of the game with Athy failing to break through the strong defence of Katelyn Thackaberry and Chloe Farrell.

Three further goals, 2 from Aisling Lennon and 1 from Aoife Delaney had K&N cruising. Athy never stopped trying, however K&N continued to finish stronger winning most of the battles for possession. A further point by Aisling Lennon from a free kick and a wonderful shot from distance by Alyssa Abbey to add on the last point sealed the win for K&N.

Well done to all the K&N substitutes Bryana Abbey, Holly Kenna, Hazel Gallagher, Ruby Keatley, Leanne Walsh, Emma Lennon, Shannon Kennedy, and Amy Moore who all played a critical part in K&N reaching and winning the final.

By Brendan Abbey