Garrycastle girls overcome Milltown at second attempt to claim U16 title

Attacking ace Jennifer Byrne inspired Garrycastle to victory over Milltown in this exciting Westmeath U16 ladies football final replay at Ballinagore last Saturday. These are heady times for ladies football in Garrycastle. The club's senior team won the Westmeath championship again this year and are now preparing for this Sunday's Leinster intermediate club final. And this victory last Saturday adds to the club's collection of silverware. Garrycastle's first-half goals laid the foundation for their victory in this final. Once again, Jennifer Byrne underlined her footballing talents, the full-forward scoring a total of 2-4. Milltown were unable to curb the influence of Byrne, who was recently on international soccer duty with the Ireland under-17 team. It was Byrne who scored Garrycastle's first goal and she was involved in the move which led to her team's second, scored by Aisling Claffey. A gallant and youthful Milltown side battled courageously in this final and while the title eluded them on this occasion, they are likely to be among the leading contenders at this level in the coming years. Milltown made the brighter start in the sunny conditions, with points from Laura Kiernan (free) and Faye Kearney. Shortly afterwards, Kiernan almost found the Garrycastle net, her shot hitting the crossbar before the ball was cleared to safety. After a foul on Tamara Keena, Sinead Boyce increased Milltown's lead when she converted the free in the seventh minute. Garrycastle got off the mark in the eighth minute with a point from Jennifer Byrne. However, their first score could easily have been a goal. After Byrne crashed a shot off the crossbar, there was some dispute as to whether the ball had crossed the goal-line. Eventually, referee Liam McDaniel threw the ball in and Byrne won possession and fired the ball over the bar. Byrne's influence on proceedings soon became apparent as she was fouled for a free which Vicki McEnery pointed. And then Jennifer, having taken a pass from Grace Coughlan, finished the ball to the Milltown net from close range. That score put Garrycastle ahead 1-2 to 0-3, midway through the first half. There was a controversial incident when the referee requested a change of umpire after one of the umpires on duty disagreed with a refereeing decision. When play resumed, Jennifer Byrne converted a free, after Milltown goalie Louise Heduan was penalised. Milltown were guilty of wasting several chances, with one effort by Faye Kearney hitting the post and going wide. However, Milltown were rewarded for their persistence in first-half injury-time, when they scored a goal from a penalty. The spotkick was awarded for a foul on Rachel Dillon and Sinead Boyce made no mistake with the penalty, firing a powerful shot high into the Garrycastle net. Boyce's strike left the sides all square but there was another twist to come before the interval, as Byrne set up Aisling Claffey for Garrycastle's second goal. There was still time for Faye Kearney to reply with a point for Milltown, leaving Garrycastle leading by 2-3 to 1-4 at half-time. The second half did not feature as much free flowing football as the opening period. The contest became a stop-start affair, but Garrycastle always seemed to have enough in the tank to hold off the challenge of Milltown. As they did in the first half, Milltown again opened the scoring, Joy Kearney's shot hitting the crossbar on the way over. Milltown midfielder Sinead Boyce had to be alert to prevent the ever-dangerous Jennifer Byrne from scoring again, but Garrycastle did regain their two-point lead through a Cliodhna Daly point (49th minute). With Garrycastle now the dominant force, Louise Heduan produced an excellent save to deny Byrne, before Vicki McEnery pointed a free. McEnery then set up Byrne for a point which extended Garrycastle's lead to four points. Impressive Milltown 'keeper Heduan denied Byrne once more and, in the ensuing play, McEnery's shot hit the post. But with ten minutes of additional time being signalled, there was still plenty of time for Milltown. As the girls in white and green piled on the pressure, a long-range shot by Celine Mahon ended up in the Garrycastle net. There was now just a point between the teams but Garrycastle steadied their nerves when Aoife Dolan set up Vicki McEnery for a good point. Jennifer Byrne raised another white flag to stretch Garrycastle's lead and, despite the best efforts of the Milltown girls, the same player sealed victory for the green and red outfit. The industrious Vicki McEnery played the ball into Byrne, who wrapped up victory by scoring her second goal, deep in injury-time. It was fitting two of Garrycastle's best players on the day were involved in the score which clinched the title. A wholehearted Milltown side contributed handsomely to this final, but Garrycastle's greater strength and experience won the day. SCORERS - Garrycastle: Jenny Byrne (2-4, 0-1f); Vicki McEnery (0-3, 2f); Aisling Claffey (1-0); Cliodhna Daly (0-1). Milltown: Sinead Boyce (1-1, 1-0pen); Celine Mahon (1-0); Faye Kearney (0-2); Joy Kearney (0-1); Laura Kiernan (0-1f). GARRYCASTLE: Aisling Flynn; Niamh Dooley, Sarah Hughes, Breda McMahon; Edel Ryan, Meadhbh Flynn, Grainne Elliott; Grace Coughlan, Vicki McEnery; Cliodhna Daly, Aoife Dolan, Aisling Claffey; Aine Harney, Jenny Byrne, Eadaoin Daly. Subs: Aine Egan for A Harney (58 mins). MILLTOWN: Louise Heduan; Dorothy McCormack, Joy Kearney, Joanna Bannon; Celine Mahon, Grainne Keena, Kelly Molloy; Sarah Pendred, Sinead Boyce; Tracy Dillon, Laura Kiernan, Tamara Keena; Shannon Higgins, Fay Kearney, Leanne Dillon. Subs: Rachel Dillon for J Bannon (14 mins), Joanna Bannon for R Dillon (35), Amy Ballesty for T Keena (54). REFEREE: Liam McDaniel (Ballinagore).