Ladies Footballers Disappointing Shield Final Defeat
09 Sep 2020

Castleknock 2-8 Whitehall Colmcille 2-12

What made this Junior ‘C’ Shield Final defeat against Whitehall Colmcille in Somerton this evening (Sept.9) all the more disappointing was that Castleknock had more than enough possession and scoring chances to win the game twice over and still have more to spare.

Castleknock led by two points 2-8 1-9 after 12 minutes of the second-half but failed to add to their score in the final 20 minutes as Whitehall finished strongly to claim the win.

It was clear from the off that this was going to be a close, hard-fought contest but Castleknock’s hopes were high in the early minutes when first goal-machine Cliona Killilea, put through by Naimh Mulroney, hit the roof of the Whitehall net with a powerful shot and then on eight minutes Bronagh Quinn, set up by Lauren Manning, goaled again, this time with an equally fierce shot, to put Castleknock 2-1 0-2 ahead.

Orla Kindlon scored that early point and then after the Water-Break Niamh Mulroney and Cliona Killilea tagged on further points before Aoife Delaney reacted quickly to a rebound off the post to claim Castleknock’s fourth point leaving the home team, a point down, 2-4 1-8 at the interval.

Castleknock played some great football at the start of the second-half. Orla Kindlon struck three terrific points from play and when Bronagh Quinn landed another great score from a free it looked as if the team was well on the way to victory.

At that stage Sophie Brown, fresh from last night’s Camogie success, also made a fine stop in goals to add to her vital first-half save.

But that’s as good as it got because Castleknock didn’t score again. Whitehall upped their game in the final quarter, scoring 1-3, including a goal from a penalty, to put four points between the teams at the end.

It was a game Castleknock could and indeed probably should have won but of more significance at the end was concern for the knee injury picked up by flying midfielder Lauren Manning. Lauren everyone wishes you a speedy recovery.

The players certainly cannot be faulted for lack of effort and that is all you can ask of any team.

Castleknock: Sophie Brown; Sarah Byrne; Aisling Rafferty; Siobhan Roche; Zoe Fitzmaurice; Suzanne McCarthy; Molly Hong Ming; Niamh Kiernan; Lauren Manning; Aoife Delaney (0-1); Orla Kindlon (0-4); Niamh Mulroney (0-1); Cliona Killilea (1-1); Bronagh Quinn (1-1); Aisling Kenny. Subs used: Amadine Hong Ming; Rioghain Ni Lorcain; Lisa Heavy; Rachel Slater. Panel: Niamh Rafferty; Lauren O’Hara; Orla Boyle; Niamh Hartnett; Emma Slater.

Manager: Ray Rafferty.
Report: Kevin Mallon