Report Div 3 Feile Final
- Apr 22,2024
Dublin Ladies Football Division 3 Feile Final 2024
St. Peter’s 4-03 St Jude’s 3-04
By Cóilín Duffy
There were plenty of celebrations in Ballyboughal and Naul on Sunday, as Division 3 Dublin Ladies Football Féile success came the way of St. Peter’s following an epic final at Fingallians GAA Club.
In Sunny conditions the Under 15 players from both Peter’s and Jude’s certainly shone in this decider, but it was the Fingal side who held the edge at the end of an entertaining contest.
Both sides were goal hungry in this game, where it was a strong finish to the opening half which ultimately stood to Peter’s in winning this tie.
They claimed 2-1 unanswered in the closing stages of the half, to ensure a 4-3 to 1-3 interval lead.
While Peter’s didn’t score in the second half, they battled hard to hold out for honours.
This game began at a frantic pace with both sides keen to make their mark.
Early opportunities were denied after some excellent defending, but it was Peter’s who got off the mark in the fourth minute after Heidi Macken finished to the net, after she showed great control and skill.
Jude’s responded with a Michelle O’Reilly point from the resulting kick out, and the gap was soon reduced to the minimum after Leah Tisdall added a further score.
Peter’s regained control with Sarah McGill pointing a free, before the games second goal arrived in the 7th minute.
Molly Dunne sent a powerful shot to the net, despite Jude’s keeper Millie Boughton getting her finger tips to it.
McGill added another free, before Laila Hurley found the net, after a good through ball from Isabelle Gillran for a much required Jude’s goal.
However, Peter’s came good again with back-to-back goals. Firstly McGill found the net, and then Isabel Guy raised a green flag.
Jude’s battled bravely in the closing stages of the half, with Amelia Smith grabbing a point with the last act of the half, ensuring a six-point gap at the break.
St. Peter’s were joined by Aoibhín Malone at half-time, the talented player arriving fresh from winning an Under 16 Leinster A title in Blanchardstown just minutes previously, having featured as a substitute in that final victory over Kildare.
Her club side found it tough in the second half as Jude’s really through everything at Peter’s.
St Peter’s keeper Ava Dockrell was forced to make an early save, but a minute later Jude’s found the net after Faye Greaney’s speculative shot ended with a goal.
Judes continued with sustained pressure, with Dockrell again called into action in the 19th minute, this time pulling off a fine save from a Laila Hurley effort.
Most of the second half play was in the heart of the Peter’s defence, and after a long spell of keeping Judes at bay, the Templeogue side found the net again as injury-time approached.
A free from Isabelle Gillran found Hurley who finished to the net to cut the gap to three points.
Peter’s were under pressure and were forced to foul deep in injury time near the posts. Isabelle Gillran converted the resulting free, but it was to be the game’s last act, as Peter’s held out for victory.
After the game St. Peter’s captain Kayleigh Jordan was presented with the cup amid jubilant scenes.
Scorers for St. Peter’s: Sarah McGill (3f) 1-3; Heidi Macken, Molly Dunne, Isabel Guy 1-0 each.
Scorers for St. Jude’s: Laila Hurley 2-0; Faye Greaney 1-0; Isabelle Gillran (1f), Michelle O’Reilly, Leah Tisdall, Amelia Smith 0-1 each.
ST. PETERS: Ava Dockrell; Ava Dow, Grace McGill, Grace Walsh; Abbie Byrne, Sarah Rose McElvaney, Eva Guy; Kayleigh Jordan, Heidi Macken; Louisa Peel, Molly Dunne, Grace Miller; Ellen Delaney, Sarah McGill, Isabel Guy. Rest of Panel: Anna Ledwich, Aoibhín Malone, Zara McCarthy, Emily May McMahon, Orlaigh Ryan, Leah Roger’s, Caoimhe Nearing, Ellen Stafford, Saoirsa Malone, Lilyann Steele, Olivia Gormely Logan.
ST. JUDES: Millie Boughton; Abi Massey, Lucy Kelly, Maria Kamara; Aoife Durkan, Odette Caffrey, Ella O’Neill; Muire Kelleher, Caoimhe Nic Mhathuna; Leah Tisdall, Laila Hurley, Faye Greaney; Michelle O’Reilly, Isabelle Gillian, Sarah McShane. Rest of Panel: Kate Fairbrother, Aoibhe Bohan, Sadhbh Doyle, Amelia Smith, Sarah McDaid, Darcy Carlin, Eva O’Mara.
REFEREE: Kevin O’Donnell (St Finians Swords)