Castleknock 5-8 Ranelagh Gaels 1-0

First-half goals from Aisling Kenny, Bronagh Quinn and Lucy Quinn set Castleknock up for a comfortable 20-point win over Ranelagh Gaels in Round 4 of the Ladies Football ‘C’ Championship in Somerton this evening (Aug.19).

Wind assisted in the first 30 minutes Castleknock took control early on with Lauren Manning, in particular, driving forward to help create points for Lucy Quinn (2), Aisling Kenny and Bronagh Quinn.

A Bronagh Quinn shot on 13 minutes proved too hot to hold for the Ranelagh goalkeeper and the inrushing Aisling Kenny claimed the game’s first goal.

Following the Water-Break Lucy Quinn rattled the crossbar with a fierce drive but the goal she deserved wasn’t long in coming as on 22 minutes she sent a flashing shot to the bottom corner of the visitors’ net.

Two minutes before that after some good work by Lauren Manning, Bronagh Quinn was left with the relatively easy task of fisting another goal to leave Castleknock ahead by 3-4 0-0 at half-time.

The third quarter produced only three scores, a fine point from the hard-running Niamh Mulroney, a superbly struck goal when substitute Lauren O’Hara delicately lobbed the opposition goalkeeper and a high and mighty point from Orla Kindlon, the first of two she scored.

Another substitute Niamh Hartnett hit an excellent point and then right at the end a determined Lucy Quinn soloed through to shoot her second goal, this one hitting the roof of the Ranelagh net.

It was a great team performance with the tracking and marking excellent throughout as epitomised by Siobhan Roche who was playing her second game in just over 24 hours (as indeed was goalkeeper Sophie Browne).

Otherwise the Castleknock backs did everything required of them and with the midfield pairing of Niamh Kiernan and Lauren Manning constantly on the move the forwards thrived.

Another notable feature of the win was the way in which the entire six forwards dropped deep to help out and even launch attacks themselves. All in all a real winning mentality and a delight to watch.

Castleknock: Sophie Browne; Sarah Byrne; Aisling Rafferty; Siobhan Roche; Zoe Fitzmaurice; Amadine Hong Ming; Suzanne McCarthy; Niamh Kiernan; Lauren Manning; Lucy Quinn (2-2); Niamh Mulroney (0-1); Orla Kindlon (0-2); Aisling Kenny (1-1); Bronagh Quinn (1-1); Orla Boyle. Subs used: Niamh Hartnett (0-1); Molly Hong Ming; Cliona Kilillea; Lauren O’Hara (1-0); Ali Coleman.

Manager: Ray Rafferty
Report: Kevin Mallon