O'Dwyers book place in Leinster Final

  • Oct 29,2022

Leinster Junior Club Championship Semi Final:

 

RESULT 

 

O’Dwyers 6-06 (24) Raheens 4-11 (23) 

 

Dublin Junior champions, O’Dwyers have booked their place in the 2022 Leinster provincial final following an epic battle in Carragh this afternoon with Kildare representatives, Raheen.


This ten-goal thriller was a brilliant advertisement for the women’s game it had everything you want to see in a Gaelic football match. Wonderful scores, brave defending, pure passion. The two teams were level four times throughput the contest and, in the end, a single score was all that separated the two sides.


Raheens got off to the perfect start when within 30 seconds, Ciana O’Brien was on hand to finish the ball to the back of the O’Dwyers net following an initial save from Niamh Kirby. Two minutes later, Shannon Richardson pounced for her first goal of the game. And so, the pace was set!


Kirby was unlucky for Raheens second goal as a shot by Sarah McGovern was deflected off a teammate into the O’Dwyers net. In the 16th minute, Katie McCabe grabbed her first goal and the fourth of the opening half to give her side a narrow lead. Raheens responded well with points from Emma Kielty and Anna O’Donovan (free).


With 21 minutes gone on the clock, up popped Shannon Richardson again for her second goal which drew the sides level for the second time. Leah McGovern, Anna O’Donovan (free) and Sally Kielty added three further points to the home teams tally giving the Kildare girls a 2-07 (13) to 3-01(10) lead at half time.


As the second half got underway, O’Dwyers would now have the advantage of the strong wind which had played a crucial part in Raheens opening half performance.


Both teams exchanged points up until the 35th minute when the visitors were awarded a penalty for a foul in the small square on Richardson, who at this stage was drawing the attention of two defenders. Katie McCabe converted a superb spot kick one that her soccer name’s sake would be proud of to bring the sides level again - for the third time. GAME on again!


Raheens continued to attack into the wind, full forward Anna O’Donovan was in fine form both from play and dead ball opportunities. Points were traded between the sides before Anna O’Donovan struck for Raheens third goal of the game which gave the hosts a three-point cushion, a big advantage in such a tight tussle.


In the 42nd minute O’Dwyers hit Raheens with two goals within 30 seconds, the first a wonderful kick 30 metres from the side line by Alana Kelly which dipped over Anna Dunlea on the Raheen goal line, the second goal was another superb strike by Richardson who by now had her hat trick. Going into the home stretch O’Dwyers had made a six-point turnaround and now lead by three!


Up stepped the McGovern sisters, a free from Sarah was soon followed up with a goal after her sister Leah moved the ball quickly after being awarded a free kick. O’Dwyers defence caught on the hop for this Raheen goal and the lead had changed hands again.


To their credit O’Dwyers dug deep and showed great composure, even with the pressure mounting. Their hard work was rewarded with a brace of points from Richardson and a well taken score by Elsa Kearney to give the visitors a two-point lead as the game hit the 58th minute.


Raheens to their credit, responded once more with a Leah Fleming point to leave just a single score between the sides as the clock struck injury time, all eyes now on the match official, Paul O’Malley.


Aoife Curran, Erica Byrne and Amy Gibbons in the dying minutes of the game showed their experience and indeed leadership making sure O’Dwyers held on to possession to close out the game to seal a historic victory for the Balbriggan club.


O’Dwyers will now play Muckalee of Kilkenny in the Junior provincial final on the 12th of November next following their win over St Josephs of Westmeath earlier today, FT score Muckalee 4-13 St Josephs 2-11. Leinster Council to confirm details of venue, time and ticket information in due course.

 

O’Dwyers scorers: Shannon Richardson 3-03, Katie McCabe 2-01 (1P), Alana Kelly 1-01, Elsa Kearney 0-01

 

O’Dwyers vs Raheens: Niamh Kirby, Katie McCabe, Lara Marrey, Jane Kehoe, Izzy McClean, Holly O'Rourke, Aoife Curran (C), Alana Kelly, Carla Munson, Elsa Kearney, Chloe Johnston, Amy Gibbons, Aoife Breathnach, Shannon Richardson, Erica Byrne


O’Dwyers sub: Ellen Dowling for Carla Munson

 

O’Dwyers panel: Abbey McCurdy, Leah Brady, Aine Blount, Saoirse Blount, Emma Dowling, Katie McGuirk, Ellen Dowling, Naomi Weakliam, Erin McCormack, Shannon Campbell, Nanayaa Owusu, Evelyn O'Leary, Holly Downes, Sarah Barlow, Ruth Weakliam


Raheen scorers: Anna O’Donovan 1-06 (6f), Sarah McGovern 2-01, Ciaran O’Brien 1-00, Emma Kielty, Leah McGovern, Sally Kielty, Leah Fleming 0-01 each


Raheens v O’Dwyers: Anna Dunlea, Emma Henegahan, Enya O’Brien, Grace Kielty, Claudia Gray, Laura Dunlea, Ciara Malone, Sarah McGovern, Emma Kielty, Leah Fleming, Ciana O’Brien, Anna O’Donovan, Leah McGovern.


Raheens sub: Maeve Magner for Emma Henegahan.


Sinbinned: Joy Duggan (Raheens) 20th minute, Amy Gibbons (O’Dwyers) 38th minute, Grace Kielty (Raheens) 54th minute.


End.