Match Report Kilmacud Crokes v Beann Eadair
- Aug 24,2024
Go Ahead Junior I Club Championship Final
Kilmacud Crokes D 5-07 Beann Eadair B 0-07
Report By Cóilín Duffy
Goal hungry Kilmacud Crokes D secured the Go-Ahead Junior K Club Championship title with a dominant performance at Clann Mhuire GAA Club in Naul on Friday night.
The Stillorgan side showcased their goal-scoring prowess, netting five times in the final, with goals from Lucy O’Connor (2), Kim Farren, Isabelle Davy, and Siobhan Gallagher. They led after just 35 seconds and never looked back.
Prolific throughout the Championship, Crokes scored 28 goals on route to the final, including 10 in their semi-final win over Stars of Erin. Their opponents, Beann Eadair, also had a strong run, going unbeaten in the group stages and scoring 18-37, but they didn’t raise a green flag in the final.
From the throw-in, Crokes set the tone with Farren’s early goal. Beann Eadair responded through Emma Middleton, but Lucy O’Connor quickly cancelled out this score.
Niamh McGee pointed for Beann Eadair, but Crokes quickly responded with an Isabelle Davy goal, ensuring a 2-2 to 0-2 score-line after 13 minutes. However, they only managed one more point until the 28th minute, as Beann Eadair edged back.
Two Middleton points cut the gap, while Beann Eadair keeper Eva Gurley also had to be alert to keep Crokes at bay.
Zara Daly became Crokes fourth scorer, while Beann Eadair’s attacking chances were plentiful, they only managed a point before the break, through Ellen Cearsi.
Crokes led 3-3 to 0-5 at halftime after O’Connor's second goal. The second half began with two quick goals from O’Connor and Gallagher, widening the margin to 14 points.
A Cerasi point and the sinbinning of Siofra Walsh for Crokes offered Beann Eadair some hope, but Crokes kept piling on pressure.
Beann Eadair’s attempts to fight back were stifled by Crokes’ solid defense and continued pressure. Crokes continued to extend their lead with points from O’Connor, Katie Kelly, and Dawn Hamill, with a late point from substitute Kate Cooling, Beann Eadair’s only score in the closing 23 minutes.
In the end, Kilmacud Crokes D emerged victorious, with captain Eadaoin McLoughlin lifting the Cup. Aisling Whitely was named Go Ahead Ireland Player of the Match, capping off a memorable night for Crokes.
KILMACUD CROKES: Derval O'Connor, Anna Fox, Eadaoin McLoughlin, Jenny Williams, Emma Burke, Darcy McKenna, Kate Madden, Aisling Whitely, Charlotte O'Farrell, Lucy O'Connor (2-2), Isabelle Davy (1-0), Kim Farren (1-1), Megan Bullard, Zara Daly (0-1), Siobhan Gallagher (1-0). Subs used: Dawn Hamill (0-1, 1f) for Davy (HT); Grace Wharton for Madden (HT); Siofra Walsh (0-1) for Daly (HT); Ciara Conway for Bullard (46); Katie Kelly (0-1) for Gallagher (50).
Panel: Lara Dardis, Eleanor O'Callaghan, Johanna Mullin, Meadhbh Murphy, Meadbh O'Gorman, Isabella Sinclair, Caoimhe Higgins, Amy Moore, Tara Ní Fhachtnáin.
BEANN ÉADAIR: Eva Gurley; Emily Keating, Renee Crinion, Kate Hanratty; Emma Cooling, Aoife Spratt, Leah Chambers; Kate Campbell, Hannah Armstrong; Caitlin McConnon, Emma Middleton (0-3), Niamh McGee (0-1, 1f); Issy Markey, Jools Aungier, Kate Collins. Subs used: Grace O'Gorman for E Cooling (17); Ellen Cerasi (0-2) for Collins (23); Rachel Fearon for Markey (HT); Sadie O'Brien for McGee (41); Kate Cooling (0-1) for Aungier (41).
Panel: Lucy Collins, Laoise Kelly, Emer Heerey, Leah Aherne, Sophie Bao Garrahy, Grace O'Shea, Olivia Giblin, Sophia Coyle, Lana Doyle, Mollie White.
REFEREE: Ernie Brenner (St Sylvesters)