Match report Craobh Chiarain vs Erin Go Bragh
- Aug 24,2024
Go Ahead Junior H Club Championship Final
Craobh Chiaráin 1-11 Erin Go Bragh 1-04
Report By Cóilín Duffy
Craobh Chiaráin withstood the concession of an early goal to bounce back and secure the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin LGFA Junior H Club Championship title with a seven-point victory over Erin Go Bragh at Clann Mhuire GAA Club on Friday night.
Under the Naul floodlights, Amy Daly netted inside 80 seconds for EGB, but CC fought back strongly. Erin Go Bragh, from Huntstown was held scoreless from the 9th to the 38th minutes, allowing Craobh Chiaráin to gain control.
The match was an entertaining and high-energy affair, with both teams displaying determination from the outset. Craobh Chiaráin's Sophie Feerick opened their account with a well-taken point, before Ava Lowry and Niamh Maher traded scores.
Maher's pointed free was Erin Go Bragh’s last score of the first half, as Craobh Chiaráin gradually erased their lead.
Sinead Murray and Player of the Match Grace Fitzgerald were instrumental in levelling the score by the 22nd minute. Defensively, Abbie O’Brien stood out for Craobh Chiaráin, while Erin Go Bragh’s captain Fiona Power was sin-binned, reducing her team to 14 players in the 25th minute.
Craobh Chiaráin capitalised on this advantage, with Fitzgerald adding a point and Clare Malone scoring a crucial goal just before half-time, awarded after the umpires consulted well, following initial doubts of a square ball giving them a 1-6 to 1-2 lead.
EGB introduced Sarah Duggan and Sadhbh Pitt at the break, with Pitt scoring her side's first point of the half. However, Fitzgerald continued to impress for CC, adding two more points. Despite Power’s return from the sin bin, EGB struggled to break through the solid defensive efforts of the likes of Lynne Carlton and Nicole McCormack.
Scores from Jodie Kearns and Fitzgerald (5th) ensured a seven-point lead with 10 minutes remaining, but CC also defended strongly.Ava Moran’s goal shot was blocked by keeper Aoife Ryan, with efforts from Sarah Duggan and Amy Daly also kept out.
Although Craobh Chiaráin also missed some scoring opportunities, Sinead Murray added a final point deep in injury time to secure an eight-point win. After the match, Craobh Chiarain captain Clare Malone received the Cup from Dublin LGFA Secretary Mary O’Connor.
CRAOBH CHIARAIN: Aoife Ryan; Lynne Carlton, Ashley Daly, Nicole Mc Cormack; Anna Murphy, Abbie O’Brien, Kiera Cooling; Emilie Thornton, Sinead Murray (0-2); Ava Lowry (0-2), Grace Fitzgerald (0-5, 4f), Dara Markey; Jodie Kerins (0-1), Clare Malone (1-0), Sophie Feerick (0-1). Subs used: Cliodhna Murphy for O’Brien (47); Sarah Carlton for McCormack (47); Caoimhe Shovlin for Malone (53); Lea Curley for Lowry (62); Eleanor Cassin for D Markey (62). Panel: Chloe O’Malley, Keava Markey, Jennifer Coyne, Natasha Gallagher, Nicole Burnett.
ERIN GO BRAGH: Kate Moloney; Abby Breen, Fiona Power, Alex Comey; Chloe Murphy, Aoibhinn Burke, Amy Carroll; Alanah Reilly, Laura Heraty; Jessi Swift, Amy Daly (1-1), Chloe Swift; Jessica Carroll, Katie Duggan, Niamh Maher (0-1). Subs used: Eva Lurascu for J Carroll (26); Sarah Duggan for K Duggan (HT); Sadhbh Pitt (0-1) for Swift (HT); Amy Flanagan for Comey (41); Ava Moran for Maher (46). Panel: Lynda Rigney, Rebecca Kieran, Meagan Swift, Vicky Day Nicholls, Ciara Worrell, Jessica Byrne, Lucy Guinan, Clara Barrett, Ella Collins, Orlaith Dillon.
REFEREE: Philip Bourke (Castleknock)