Match report St Maurs v Na Fianna
- May 23,2024
St. Maurs record a win at Mobhi Road
Report by Ruth King
Go Ahead Dublin LGFA AFL Division one
Wednesday May 22nd.
St Maurs 2-10 Na Fianna 1-10
St. Maurs are enjoying their first season playing division one league football and are showing no signs of inhibitions. They took the game to their opponents Na Fianna from the outset, winning the throw-in, which resulted in a free to the Rush girls. Aoife Curley, who has been in fine form throughout the league, converted her side's opening score of the game, setting the pace and the tone for the reminder of the match. With just three minutes gone on the clock Maurs where two points up on the scoreboard, full forward, Molly Moran on target for her sides second score.
Na Fianna began to apply pressure up the other end but couldn’t get the desired result. St. Maurs looked comfortable on the ball during the opening period of the game with Sinéad Moran knocking over another point despite the pressure from Na Fianna defenders. It wasn’t until the 14th minute that Na Fianna got on the scoreboard. Ellie McAleer on target having made a great run up the wing to settle her side into the match. Corner forward, Lucy Ahern soon added to the Na Fianna tally, as she sailed through the Maurs' defence to kick a fine point.
The Rush side quickly responded to the Na Fianna’s scores with two points of their own coming from the boot of Aoife Curley. Lucy Ahern who was causing problems for the Maurs back line slotted another point over the bar for the Mobhi Road team. The game was developing into a battle as the two teams grappled for superiority. Six minutes had gone by without a score being registered by either team. Lucy Ahern eventually broke the deadlock when she popped over a free to ignite the home support.
Na Fianna made a strategic substitution in the 25th minute when corner forward Karla Conway made way for Anna Thornton. Just before the interval, St Maurs midfielder Sinéad Moran got on the score sheet with a fine point but another Lucy Ahern free kick saw the teams go into the half time dressing room with just a single separating the two sides. Half time score St Maurs 0-06 Na Fianna 0-05.
Ahead of the second half, St Maurs management made two changes to their forward line introducing Kelli Carthy and Rebecca Sweetman for Eimear Butterly and Laura Carthy. Na Fianna moved Lucy Collins into their half forward line with Claire Kelly taking up position in midfield.
St Maurs took control of the opening period and dominated much of the attacking play. Na Fianna’s Karen O’Connell was forced into a fine save by Niamh Carthy only to see the rebound hit the back of the net. Aoife Curly continued to hit form with another free kick pushing St Maurs into a five-point lead. Sinead Moran and Curley tapped on two more additional points to keep the Rush scoreboard ticking over.
Na Fianna first score of the second half arrived in the 13th minute. Lucy Ahern once again on target with a well taken free. Na Fianna began to slowly reduce the St Maurs lead when Lucy Collins (free) and Eva Ahern both on song with two well taken scores. The home sides purple patch did not unsettle the Maurs players, Sinead Moran responded with an excellent run through Na Fianna’s defence to put the ball past diving O’Connell. Moran’s goal totally cancelling out Na Fianna's previous three points. Aedin Caverly threw the Glasnevin girls a lifeline when she sent a rocket of a shot towards the St. Maurs goal, catching the rebound to land her final shot past the goalkeeper, Jane Butterly.
Na Fianna had an opportunity to equalise the game, following a foot block, they were awarded a penalty. The first kick resulted in a goal being scored however there was some confusion, which resulted in referee Jason Buckley instructing that the penalty kick be retaken. The second shot was then saved by St. Maurs goalkeeper, Jane Butterly.
A determined Na Fianna team upped their ante and started to come more into the game. Lucy Collins notched over a fine point while the ever-dangerous Lucy Ahern was on target again with another well taken free. However, it wasn’t to be for the Glasnevin girls, when the referee blew the final whistle, it was the girls from St. Maurs along with their management who were celebrating a well-earned victory away from home.
St Maurs: Jane Butterly; Katie Moran, Róisín McDonald, Nicola Thorne; Lucy Hand, Shauna McGuinness, Tara Brady; Sinéad Moran, Megan Benson; Eimear Conway, Aoife Curley, Niamh Carthy; Eimear Butterly, Molly Moran, Laura Carthy; Grainne Conway, Rebecca Sweetman, Clodagh Conway, Kelli Carthy.
Scorers: Sinéad Moran 1-03, Aoife Curley 0-06 (3f), Niamh Carthy 1-00, Molly Moran 0-01.
Na Fianna: Karen O’Connell; Kira Bryon, Amber Taylor, Saoirse Fitzgerald; Lucy Skelly, Sophie Ahern, Ellie McAleer; Jenny Gleeson, Lucy Collins; Eva Ahern, Claire Kelly, Grace Kelly; Karla Conway, Aedin Caverly, Lucy Ahern; Jane Daly, Anna Thorton, Rachel Hargan.
Scorers: Lucy Ahern 0-06 (5f), Aedin Caverly 1-00, Lucy Collins 0-02 (1f), Ellie McAleer, Eva Ahern 0-01 each.
Referee: Jason Buckley (Setanta)