Dublin Minor Final Match report

  • Jan 07,2008
Foxrock/Cab 2-9 Ballyboden SE 3-4

Foxrock/Cabinteely overcame Ballyboden in the Dublin Minor Championship final with 2 points to spare in a thrilling and entertaining encounter in Clondalkin last Saturday. With over 20 players from both teams having represented Dublin at various levels in action, the large crowd expected a highly skilled and competitive game. They were not disappointed as both teams set out to claim the Blue Riband for Ladies Football at U18 level in the Capital. The game, while intense and close, was played in the correct spirit throughout with both teams giving their all. The result was in the balance right up to the final whistle.

Ballyboden had a number of Senior panellists from their Leinster winning team while Foxrock/Cabinteely had a strong representation from their team that will contest the All Ireland Junior Final in Toomevarra this Saturday. Boden, having won the toss elected to play with the strong goal to goal wind. The choice seemed well advised as Boden ran into an early lead with sisters Elaine and Paula Mc Grath finding the net early. Further points from the same players opened a formidable lead before a pointed free from Amy Ring opened Foxrock/Cabinteelys account. Foxrock/Cabinteely endured an anxious moment when their goalkeeper Sinead Murphy was assisted from the field after suffering a knee injury.

Emma Kerins was on the field only moments when she brought off a point blank save from a piledriver from Sharon Fleming. In the 19th minute Amy Connolly showed exactly why she was voted the Leinster Young Player of the Year, when she gathered a through ball from Ciara ORiordan, beat 3 players and rifled to the corner of the net from 30 metres giving Alice Gillen no chance. From the kickout, Alex Whyte won possession and fed Amy Connolly who had lost her marker and took a point to cut the margin further. However, Ballyboden were not prepared to relinquish their Minor crown without a fight. Dublin Senior Panellist, Natalia Hyland added a point before Elaine Mc Grath added her second goal of the day.

Going in at the break Boden held a 6 point lead but faced a strong wind for the final 30 minutes. Foxrock/Cabinteely opened brightly carrying the game to their opponents. A number of scorable chances were squandered before Ciara ORiordan opened their account with a long range point. Sinead Goldrick added a point, and 10 minutes into the 2nd half, Amy Ring broke the deadlock for the challengers when she latched onto a breaking ball to finish low and hard to the net. Paula Mc Grath rounded off a fine individual performance with 2 points in the 11th and 14th minute to stretch the Boden lead to 3 points. The half back line of Sarah Brophy, Blanaid Callan and Niamh Collins soaked up wave after wave of pressure from Boden, and, were the launch pad for attacks from Foxrock/Cabinteely that eventually drew the sides level in the 50th minute after Sinead Goldrick and Amy Ring each pointed. With 10 minutes remaining Foxrock/Cabinteely with clever interplay began to sense that victory was within their reach.

They had prevented the threats from Natalia Hyland, Elaine Mc Grath and Paula Mc Grath making a serious impact on the scoreboard. Kirstie Mc Ardle began to get to grips with her marker, with Fionnuala Hogan and Elaine Bolger finding their team mates with accurate passes. Olivia Crosson entered the fray to support Petra Kealy in the full forward line but Gill Kinevan was giving little away to her younger opponents. Roisin Ryan had her hands full with Amy Connolly and then Amy Ring in a frenetic 2nd half but overall she will be happy with her performance.

Sinead Loughran repeatedly opened the Boden rearguard with her runs and her unselfish play created many opportunities for her team mates. Ciara Murphy and Sinead Goldrick had a battle Royale with Rachel Nugent and Natalia Hyland at midfield with the Foxrock/Cabinteely pair shading it at least on the scoreboard. Ciara ORiordan capitalised on sustained pressure by pointing from a sideline kick to give Foxrock/Cabinteely the lead for the 1st time in the game. In the 57th minute Ciara Murphy won possession from a Ballyboden "45" to set up an attack she finished with a long range point.

Dave Mc Cabe had an excellent game as Referee, and representing the Dublin Ladies Board presented the Cup to the Foxrock/Cabinteely Captain Ciara Murphy. Her Team Manager Pat Ring paid tribute to the Ballyboden team who had played their part in a memorable final. Ballyboden Manager Pat Mc Grath, in turn congratulated Foxrock/Cabinteely on thier win and wished them well in the all Ireland final next Saturday in Toomevarra.

For more info on Foxrock/Cabinteely contact 087 2599394 or info@foxcabgaa.ie