Duffy delivers as Kilcleagh NS girls overcome Ballymore

Kilcleagh NS 4-9 Scoil Eoin Naofa, Ballymore 2-6

The Kilcleagh NS girls were celebrating after a marvellous victory over Scoil Eoin Naofa, Ballymore in the Westmeath Cumann na mBunscol Girls Football Division 4 decider at TEG Cusack Park on Tuesday of last week.

This was a thrilling seven-a-side final in which Ballymore led by a point at half-time, 1-5 to 1-4, before the Castledaly side produced a remarkable performance to score 3-5 in the following 17 minutes, while at the same time conceding just a point.

With Aoife Meares scoring a lovely point from play in the early stages, Ballymore made the perfect start to this gripping match.

The outstanding Ally Duffy finished to the net with a left-footed shot to give Kilcleagh NS the lead after six minutes. She saw her shot drift agonisingly wide of goal in the 11th minute but then got a neat point to keep the Castledaly supporters engrossed.

Ballymore’s Leah Penrose stepped up to a rather testing ‘35’ that no one seemed keen to take and it led to a well worked goal for Kate Mallon to give here side a narrow lead (1-4 to 1-3) after 15 minutes.

That was the trend as this thrilling encounter ebbed and flowed. Ally Duffy replied with a pointed free and Rachel Connell notched a late point to ensure the Ballymore girls led at the interval.

But after the break, a blistering 90 seconds gave Kilcleagh NS a four-point cushion, with Duffy’s strong run leading to a goal before she added a point. The crossbar also came to Ballymore’s rescue during these frenetic opening moments.

Rachell Connell’s point offered mere respite for Ballymore. Duffy broke clear of the opposing cover to score another goal and then added a point when Hannah Pratlett and Ellie Bastic set her up. Pratlett’s point made it 3-9 to 1-6 in Kilcleagh’s favour with just four minutes remaining.

There were skills aplenty on display, with players passing and moving superbly and finding each other at will. Ally Duffy’s great run led to her scoring her side’s fourth goal with three minutes remaining and that was the coup de grâce. Amy Kearney cut inside to score a consolation goal for a Ballymore side that contributed greatly to a splendid match.

Afterwards, Derek Butler, Chairman of Cumann na mBunscol Iarmhí, presented the cup to Ally Duffy, who also picked up the Player of the Final award.

Player of the final: Ally Duffy (Kilcleagh NS).

Scorers – Kilcleagh NS: A Duffy 4-5 (0-1f), E Galvin 0-2, H Pratlett 0-2. Ballymore NS: A Kearney 1-2, K Mallon 1-0, R Connell 0-2, A Meares 0-2 (1f).

Kilcleagh NS: Georgia Donlon, Norah Mulchrone, Ruby Bourke, Hannah Pratlett, Ellie Bastic, Ally Duffy, Emily Galvin, Rachel Pillion, Florence Casey, Sophie Greally, Áine Dullea, Caoilfhionn Fallon, Aoibheann Quinn, Grace Pillion.

Scoil Noin Naofa, Ballymore: Eliza Mallon, Leah Penrose, Alice Ryan, Katie Mallon, Rachel Connell, Aoife Meares, Amy Kearney, Isabel McCormack, Emily Hanley, Amelia Hannon, Emma Healy, Moya McHugh, Emily Ennis Lennon, Ella McKnight, Emily Kelly, Elena Scott, Jade Heffernan Molloy, Aoibhinn Blighe, Aoibheann Young, Emily Gill.

Referee: John Joe Brady (Milltownpass).