Report Div 2 Feile Final
- Apr 22,2024
Dublin Ladies Football Division 2 Feile Final 2024
St. Sylvester’s 0-7 Lucan Sarsfields 1-1
By Cóilín Duffy
An impressive St. Sylvester’s side battled back from a four point deficit after just five minutes, to hold Lucan Sarsfields scoreless over the remainder of the tie; and claim the Dublin Ladies Football Division 2 Feile title for 2024 at Fingallians GAA Club on Sunday last.
This was an excellent display by the Malahide outfit who dug deep to overcome an early setback and deliver county silverware following a hectic weekend of Feile action across the capital.
Syl’s claimed group stages wins over Ballyboden St. Enda’s, Fingallians and Ballinteer St. John’s to advance to the last four on Saturday, before claiming a semi-final win over Round Towers Clondalkin. Sunday’s final was the only time Sylvester’s failed to grab a goal across their games.
Lucan’s path to the decider saw wins over Castleknock and Round Towers Clondalkin in the group stages, with a loss to Foxrock Cabinteely, before accounting for Ballyboden St. Enda’s in the last four.
Syl’s were eager for scores right from the off in the decider, but some early attacking opportunities failed to reap dividends.
At the opposite end Lucan Sarsfields were quick to make it count, with an early dipping effort from Grace Birch finding its way to the back of the Syl’s net.
Indeed St. Sylvesters had the ball in the net inside a minute, but Lily Stenson’s effort was ruled out, after the referee gave a free in the opposite direction.
Birch added a point from the subsequent attack to open up a four-point lead for Lucan, but amazingly this would be the end of their scoring exploits.
It wasn’t for a lack of chances over the remainder of the tie, but they were met with some impressive defending, with plenty of moments of brilliance from Syl’s including the likes of a Kate Beausang block in the sixth minute.
Amy Cosgrove opened Sylvester’s account with a pointed free in the seventh minutes, and from their until half-time the story was mainly of missed chances in front of the posts, and good defending by both sides.
However, the first of four points in this game from Lily Stenson ensured a 1-1 to 0-2 interval score-line as Syl’s cut the gap.
The Saints continued to prove hungry on the restart, as they really dug in from the throw-in.
Just over 60 seconds were gone on the clock when Ella-Jean Fitzpatrick split the posts with a fine effort, and 90 seconds later the sides were level for the first time when Lily Stenson delivered an excellent score.
Syl’s went in search of a goal to no avail, when an excellent team move finished with a miss from Nessa Sheehy.
Lucan also had their share of missed chances, before Syl’s came good thanks to two placed ball efforts from Stenson.
An Orla Harbourne point on the stroke of injury-time opened up a three-point lead, and while Lucan pressed hard, including a goal-effort from Erin Hynes, they couldn’t find the extra-time forcing scores they craved, as Syl’s claimed silverware.
After the game St. Sylvesters captain Aoibheann Waugh received the cup amid jubilant celebrations among her playing colleagues and the loyal band of supporters that made the short trip from the North coast.
Scorers for St. Sylvester’s: Lily Stenson (0-2f) 0-4; Amy Cosgrove (0-1f), Ella-Jean Fitzpatrick, Orla Harbourne 0-1 each.
Scorers for Lucan Sarsfields: Grace Birch 1-1.
ST. SYLVESTER’S: Ella-Jean Fitzpatrick; Eimile Ní Cuilín, Sorcha Ní Síthigh, Sophia Grás; Sadhbh Byrne, Martha McGovern, Kate Beausang; Ellie Gorman, Aoibheann Waugh; Lauren Gilchrist, Lily Stenson, Marta Ní Cainín; Darach Breathnach, Isabel Aslett, Amy Cosgrove. Rest of Panel: Orla Harbourne, Sadhbh Osbourne, Ciara Raeside, Nessie Sheehy, Alexandra Virian.
LUCAN SARSFIELDS: Carla O’Loughlin; Grace Healy, Ciara Bresnan, Muireann Ni Bhuachalla; Aoife McKenna, Ella McGrath, Katie Cuneen; Erin Hynes, Holly Armstrong; Ava Mullan, Chloe Doyle, Sadhbh Ni Mhairtin; Aoife O’Connor, Kate O’Brien, Grace Birch. Rest of Panel: Sophia Dunne, Erika Kehoe, Sarah Ivory, Sadie Damer, Grace Norton, Sofia Dowdall, Holly Whelan
REFEREE: Keith Cahill (St Finians Swords)