Match Report Feile Div 6 Final
- Apr 16,2023
Dublin LGFA Féile Division 6 Final
Fingal Ravens 3-03 St Margaret’s 0-07
Report by Cóilín Duffy
Fingal Ravens were crowned Division 6 Dublin LGFA Féile champions, following a keenly contested North County Dublin derby at St. Peregrines GAA Club on Sunday morning.
In the opening game of a triple header of finals in Blakestown, Ravens avenged a 2-4 to 0-0 loss to the same opposition in the group stages on Saturday; to bounce back and take silverware.
St. Margarets won the toss, and attacked from the throw-in, but failed to make this count on the score board.
Indeed, both sides spurned some attacking opportunities in the opening minutes.
Ella Hempton had an early effort for Ravens kept out by St Margaret’s keeper Molly Waters.
At the opposite end Aoife McDonnell, Cara Hand, and Beth McKenna engaged in a great move for Margaret’s, but the latter fired wide.
However, from the resulting kick-out Margaret’s got going again, with Aimee Treacy gathering well, and McKenna won a free, which she converted for the first score in the fifth minute.
This really spurred the game into life and a minute later the ball was in the back of the Margaret’s net for the first time.
Sophie O’Reilly and Kaitlyn Crowe combined before an Alex Dempsey effort was blocked, however Nina Reilly followed up and put her side 1-0 to 0-1 clear.
Ravens were not behind after this, but victory was far from clear-cut as they were pushed hard.
McKenna cut the gap to the minimum, but despite further pressure St. Margaret’s could not find the equaliser they craved.
A 12th minute Tori Dempsey pointed free ensured Fingal took a 1-1 to 0-2 lead, before the recently introduced Sarah Cowap found the back of the St. Margaret’s net with a cracking effort.
Margaret’s finished the half strong with a brace of McKenna pointed frees and an impressive point from play ensuring a 2-1 to 0-5 interval score-line.
McKenna’s clever work continued in the second half, and another fine score from play arrived 90 seconds after the restart.
At the opposite end efforts from Ella Hempton and Amy O’Connor came off the crossbar and post respectively before Dempsey’s second pointed free.
It certainly was a busy weekend for Tori who had also tasted action with the Dublin U14’s on Saturday, as well as featuring in the Féile with her club colleagues.
St Margaret’s kept pressing and good play from the likes of Ellie Clarke, Aimee Treacy, Casey Crosbie, Aoife McDonnell and Cara Hand was rewarded when Beth McKenna fired over a 23rd minute free.
Again, the minimum separated the sides, but despite strong attacking chances – defences were also coming to the fore.
It was not until the final minute of normal time that the next score was produced as Sarah Cowap delivered a vital score from play for Fingal Ravens.
They finished this game out strongly with full-forward Kaitlyn Crowe becoming Ravens third goal-scorer; finding the net in injury-time – on the way to a five-point win.
After the game Dublin LGFA Chairperson Joe Keane praised both teams for participating in a thrilling final telling St. Margaret’s not to be too disappointed, after playing their part in what was an incredibly competitive division, with the standard looking a lot higher than Division 6.
After being presented with the cup, Fingal Ravens captain Moya Bryllert thanked all the coaches for their help. She paid tribute to St Margarets who worked extremely hard to get to the final, and said they were a brilliant team.
She also thanked St. Margarets for hosting the group stages on Saturday. On a final note, Moya thanked her fellow players for their hard work; and also had a special word of thanks to the Fingal Ravens supporters.
Scorers for Fingal Ravens: Sarah Cowap 1-1; Nina Reilly, Kaitlyn Crowe 1-0 each; Tori Dempsey (2f) 0-2. Scorers for St. Margaret’s: Beth McKenna (5f) 0-7.
FINGAL RAVENS: Anna Cowap; Jessica Kettle, Cara Cunningham, Freya Smith; Orla Devers, Suin Ní Scanaill, Emily Farrell; Moya Bryllert, Sophie O’Reilly; Tori Dempsey, Laoise Duggan, Amy O’Connor; Nina Reilly, Kaitlyn Crowe, Ella Hempton. Subs: Niamh Murphy, Hazel Kelly, Emily Honan, Sarah Cowap, Rae Lynch, Natalia Byrne, Sophie Evans, Leah Farrell, Ruby Canny, Maisy Murray, Alex Dempsey.
ST. MARGARETS: Molly Waters; Katie Tighe, Chloe Kennedy, Leah Rogers; Ellie Clarke, Hannah Lumley, Lucy Farrell; Cara Hand, Aimee Treacy; Grace O’Leary, Sarah Burke, Aoife McDonnell; Amber Byrne, Lily rose Marshall, Beth McKenna. Subs: Abi Byrne, Veronica Tynan, Casey Crosbie, Zoe Lenehan.
REFEREE: Ciara O’Brien (Garda Westmanstown Gaels)