Kilcleagh NS girls return to the summit
By Gerry Buckley
A slightly better-balanced side representing Kilcleagh NS, Castledaly proved to be worthy winners against St Tola’s, Delvin in the second game at TEG Cusack Park last Wednesday.
The Delvin girls opened the scoring via a Róisín Coyne three-pointer in the first minute, but the winners responded in great style by registering 1-4 without reply by the 13th minute, courtesy of an Anna Duffy free followed by 1-3, all from play, from the game’s standout player, Gwen Brady.
Coyne and Avril Fox traded points before Aoife Smith scored a great goal for the losers. Another Duffy free rounded off first half scoring, leaving Kilcleagh ahead by 1-6 to 2-1 at the interval.
Brady pointed within a minute of the resumption of play, but a Coyne goal quickly levelled the contest (3-1 to 1-7). However, that was as good as it got for the gallant girls in green and white, as their opponents took control and added an impressive 1-6 to their total in the time remaining.
Brady netted ahead of points from the latter (three, including a fisted effort), and Duffy (also three, two of them from open play).
After the match, Derek Butler, the chairperson of Cumann na mBunscol na hIarmhí, presented the trophy to the winning captains, Emer Murray and Anna Duffy. It is the Castledaly school's second title at this level and comes after their victory in 2023, while they were finalists for the past two years.
Scorers – Kilcleagh NS: G Brady 2-7, A Duffy 0-5 (4f), A Fox 0-1. St Tola’s: R Coyne 2-1, A Smith 1-0.
Kilcleagh NS, Castledaly: Saoirse Larkin, Sophia Doyle, Ava Doyle, Cara Keogh, Emer Murray, Anna Duffy, Avril Fox, Gwen Brady, Freya Corrigan, Rachel Fitzgerald, Clodagh Hurley, Maeve Barry, Aoife Nolan, Máire Linnane, Sarah Marsh, Caoimhe Pillion.
St Tola’s, Delvin: Katelyn Clune, Sophie Clune, Amelia Hatton, Ruby Ivory, Róisín Coyne, Oona McEvoy, Erin Cully, Catherine Fox, Louise Scally, Aoife Smith, Eimear Newcombe, Emma Gill, Ailbhe Barry, Anna Clune, Ellen Vaughan, Laura McEvoy, Lauryn Smith.
Referee: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).