U12 Girls County Final 2008

It might have been just as well that this game was not as originally envisaged, the third of the morning finals as it required extra time to separate two evenly matched teams. Na Fianna had a few girls on a local boy's side playing an Under 11 final early in the day and KiIdangan Nurney sportingly agreed to an evening start to facilitate their opponents.

The game was a close affair with Na Fianna having the edge early on and 3 early points from centre forward Michaela McKenna, who played in an Under 12 Final as far back as 2005, had them 3 to 1 in front after 5 minutes. Gradually Kildangan/Nurney battled their way into the game and they outscored their opponents 5 to 1 in the rest of the half with Lauren Kelly with 4 points and Caoimhe O'Fearghail with 1 adding to Ciara Byrne's early point while Michaela also scored hers and Na Fianna's 4th point, which left KiIdangan /Nurney 2 in front at the break.

Michaela got the first score of the second half and the sided exchanged pointed frees, Lauren Kelly having her effort replied to by Hannah Quirke. Them Michaela raced in for a Na Fianna goal only to have it instantly responded to in kind as Aine Merrins gathered a high one on the edge of the square and blasted home. With Kildangan/Nurney still holding their interval 2 point advantage late in the game Na Fianna powered forward with centre back Katie Dunne and midfielders Rachel Reidy and Nicole Cannon giving a great supply to the attack.

Michaela reduced the margin to 1 with a fine point and full back Amy Hart even came forward to try from a "45" but it was Hannah Quirke who eventually got the equaliser.

The girls from the south did launch one last attack but Na Fianna full back and Captain Amy Hart made a great block and cleared her lines to the sound of the final whistle and loads the celebrations.

Na Fianna owe a lot to a fine goalkeeper, Emma Quinn, had excellent backs in Amy Hart, Katie Dunne, Shannon Henry Danagher and tiny sub Tracey Jacob. The midfield of Rachel Reidy and Nicole Cannon worked their socks off while the stars in attack were Michaela McKenna, Hannah Quirke and Emma Dunne.

For Kildangan/Nurney goalkeeper Marie Fitzgerald and backs Orla Fahy, Grace Nealon and Aoife O'Fearghail excelled, the midfield pairing of Sinead Haigney and Caoimhe O'Fearghail were brilliant while Chantelle Carroll, Ciara Byrne and Lauren Kelly were outstanding.

Kildangan/Nurney: 1. Marie Fitzgerald 2 Charlotte Scully 3 Orla Fahey 4 Emily Cains 5 Aoife O'Fearghail 6 Grace Nealon 7 Ciara Murphy 8 Sinead Haigney 9 Caoimhe O'Fearghail 10 Una Higgins 11 Chantelle Carroll 12 Orla Nolan 13 Aine Merrins 14 Ciara Byrne 15 Lauren Kelly

Even them both sides had chances to win it with top scorers Michaela and Lauren missing late frees at either end and the hour ended with the sided level.

Into extra time Nicole Cannon and Michaela McKenna pushed Na Fianna 2 points in front with time running out and the teams tiring. Kildangan/Nurney launched one great attack into the stiffening wind. Ciara Byrne, now out in the half forward line, won the ball and sent Lauren Kelly away. Lauren spotted midfielder Caoimhe O'Fearghail stealing in and Caoimhe rounded a couple of backs and side-footed a great goal to put her side back in front with only a minute or so left but Na Fianna fired a long quick kick-out down field as their opponents celebrated the goal and Hannah Quirke was on the spot to equalise and then Rachel Reidy shot over the lead point from a difficult angle when under severe pressure.