Match report St Brendans v Na Gaeil Aeracha
- Aug 17,2024
Dublin LGFA Go Ahead Ireland Junior K Club Championship Final
St Brendan’s C 0-7 Na Gaeil Aeracha 0-5
By Cóilín Duffy
St Brendan’s C side won the inaugural Go Ahead Ireland Dublin LGFA Junior K Club Championship, defeating Na Gaeil Aeracha (NGA) in an entertaining final at St. Margaret's GAA Club on Friday. The Grangegorman team overcame a one-point deficit in the 46th minute to claim victory, holding NGA scoreless in the final 14 minutes.
This win marked a significant achievement for St. Brendan’s, who had narrowly lost to NGA twice earlier in 2024. Their previous encounters included a three-point loss in a Division 12 Cup tie in June and a thrilling nine-goal match (6-6 to 3-14) in the Championship group stages last month.
From the outset, Brendan’s showed determination, scoring their first point within 24 seconds, courtesy of midfielder Niamh Byrne. Chloe Doone, the top scorer of the night, added a second point, and their defence, led by Dearbhla Casey, halted an early NGA scoring attempt from Ciara Patton.
NGA, appearing in their first-ever Cup final in any grade or code, responded quickly. Jacqueline Elebert scored their first point in the sixth minute, after Joyce Donnelly provided the pass. This was followed by a game-tying point from Sinead Grogan. Despite dominating possession at this stage, NGA missed several chances to take the lead.
Brendan’s then began to hit a purple patch in the possession stakes, but they too, struggled with accuracy, amassing eight wides between the 13th and 22nd minutes.
NGA regained the lead through Elebert in the 23rd minute, and strong defensive efforts, including key saves by goalkeeper Ella Nic an tSionnaigh, denying Aine Cleary on two occasions, with good work also by full-back Aoife Halstead, keeping them ahead at half-time on a 0-3 to 0-2 score-line.
In the second half, Brendan’s equalised after 18 seconds through Catherine Moran, but Maria Rafferty soon restored NGA’s lead. However, as the game progressed, Brendan’s began to dominate, with Doone, Player of the Match Catherine Moran, and Aine Cleary contributing crucial points between the 50th and 52nd minutes to secure their win.
St. Brendan’s captain Aoife Beggan received the Cup from Dublin LGFA Chairman Joe Keane, capping off a memorable night for the team.
ST BRENDANS C: Noeleen Gibson; Tara Evans, Aoife Beggan, Vinita Atkins, Helen Macklin, Lorna Barton, Dearbhla Casey; Catherine Moran (0-1), Niamh Byrne (0-2); Aine Cleary (0-1), Vicky Eades, Chloe Doone (0-3, 1f); Niamh McCarthy, Aoife Rooney, Rebecca Mathews. Sub used: Emily Smith for Mathews (45). Rest of Panel: Ana Llorca Benet, Caoilfhinn Kavanagh, Caroline Craddock, Orlaith Gavigan, Emer Cartwright, Emer Weir, Pia Gerloff, Monica Amaya, Katie Lavelle, Anne Marie Riney, Fainche Maguire, Laura McNamara, Christina McNamara, Aoife Corbett.
NA GAEIL AERACHA: Ella Nic an tSionnaigh; Catriona O’Driscoll, Aoife Halstead, Beatriz Sole Picabea; Debra Doherty, Clodagh Whelan, Emma Loo; Niamh Browne, Rachel Crowley; Joyce Donnelly, Ciana Hall, Ciara Patton; Sinead Grogan (0-1), Jacqueline Elebert (0-2), Maria Rafferty (0-2). Subs used: Tatiana Murphy for Patton (7); Aisling Curtin for O’Driscoll (24). Rest of Panel: Hazel Nolan, Emma Dempsey, Rachel Fleming, Karen Blaney, Eleanor Hinchcliffe, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Giulia Valentino, Katie Kilgannon, Dilara Ulker, Becca Connolly.
REFEREE: Reece Somerfield (Trinity Gaels)