September 8th Junior Shield quarter-final : Tír na nÓg 1-1 Brídíní Óga 3-4
It was a full month since our last competitive match and it showed, especially in the first 10 minutes of this tough hard-fought Shield game in Randalstown. Generally we were slow in thought and movement and quite a few had very poor first touch. It was little wonder that we conceded a goal and a point in the opening 3 minutes.
In fairness though, the defence eventually knuckled down and midfield got the sliotar moving in the right direction to bring our attack more into the game.
Caoimhe got us off the mark with a point and then added a goal, with Eimhear weighing in with two more goals. However during that period of play just before half-time we wasted a number of chances to add to our total and turned around with a lead of 3-2 to 1-1.
Aimee came into defence at the break, but soon another sub was needed with Shannon sustaining a bad leg injury. However Danielle immediately imposed herself on the game, particularly in the last quarter when Tír na nÓg pressed forward.
We contained them well against the breeze, Rose marshalling the defence and everyone working hard.
There is still another gear left in many of the players – but those regularly attending training definitely looked the sharpest. A number of fine performances – but my Player of the Match goes to Kelly.
Brídíní Óga : Rose Reid, Oonagh Hyndman, Gemma McKeown, Shannon Kerr, Kelly O’Hagan capt, Bernadette Convery, Úna McAleenan, Danielle Scally, Joanne McKeown, Shannon Woulahan, Casey Woulahan 0-1, Brónagh Shannon, Caoimhe McAleenan 1-3, Shauna Kelly, Eimhear McAleenan 2-0.
Subs : Danielle O’Hagan, Aimee Dillon