24/08/2020: The Kildysart Junior Ladies made a 14 point turnaround to win their first Championship match since their promotion to Junior A this year, beating Clooney Quin 6-4 to 4-5. Having suffered a narrow defeat to Banner 2 in the opening round, the team was determined to come out on the right side of the scorecard this time. And that determination paid off.
The team travelled to Clooney for the first match under the revised Covid guidelines of no spectators. The opening minutes of the match were a cagey affair with each side getting on the scoreboard. Kildysart raced into the lead with two goals within a minute of each other by midfielder Amy Murphy just before the first water break. This gave Kildysart a 2-1 to 1-2 lead, with Aisling Murphy getting the first score for Kildysart when she popped over a free. However, the next 15 minutes saw Clooney enjoy a purple patch where they amassed an unanswered 3-2 to give the hosts a 9 point lead at half time, Kildysart 2-1, Clooney Quin 4-4.
Ashleigh O’Brien kicked off the Kildysart revival when she goaled in the opening minutes of the restart. Niamh Moloney came on at half time and shook up the middle of the field. Clooney Quin got a score in the 34th minute and thanks to good defensive play by Emma Byrne, Chloe Sheehan, Shona Garry, Sarah Casey, Laoise Kelly and Caroline Casey it would be their last one of the game. Kildysart meanwhile went on to rampage with a point from Sinead Kelly followed quickly by the hat trick goal from the boot of Amy Murphy, who found her sweet spot, low and outside. Kildysart’s ability to win the 50/50 ball ensured a steady supply into the forwards. That, their improved fitness and a strong bench made the difference in the second half. A point by the roaming Sinead Fox and O’Brien’s second green flag put Kildysart ahead the first time in 30 minutes, albeit by the minimal - the score at the second water break Kildysart 5-3, Clooney 4-5. Sinead Fox was denied a goal when she fisted the ball into the net from a Siobhan Moloney free, by a dubious call of square ball. However, Aisling Murphy got Kildysart’s 6th goal giving Kildysart a four point cushion, with ten minutes remaining. Suddenly, all eyes were on goalkeeper Audrey Kelly when Clooney were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute. She went to the correct side but her services weren’t needed as the ball was sent wide. O’Brien rounded out the scoring with a point to give Kildysart a 5 point win in this 10 goal bonanza, Kildysart 6-4, Clooney Quin 4-5. Next up, the team travel to Kilrush on Monday for Round 3.
Kildysart: Audrey Kelly, Emma Byrne, Shona Garry, Chloe Sheehan, Caroline Casey, Sarah Casey, Laoise Kelly, Sinead Kelly (0-1), Amy Murphy (3-0), Siobhan Moloney, Ashleigh O’Brien (2-1), Caiti Donnellan, Roisin Donnellan, Aisling Murphy (1-1, 1f), Sinead Fox (captain) (0-1). Subs: Niamh Moloney for R. Donnellan (HT), Caitlin Casey for Caroline Casey (38m), Grace Sheerer for Moloney (48m), Catherine Pender for C. Donnellan (58m).
Ref: Kevin Walshe
