Ballythomas 2-6 Danescastle 2-1

Ballythomas fought back with some style to win the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Rackard League Minisevens Girls’ Football Final in St. Patrick’s Park last Tuesday. Playing against a spirited Danescastle team, all looked lost while being a goal down at half time. But, a flurry of scores early in the second half paved the way towards their historic success.

Ballythomas initially started sharply by creating two chances however both were sent both wide. They were left to rue these misses when Danescastle went up the field to goal through captain and star forward Ciara Cummins. This lead could have been doubled moments later only for Ballythomas goalie Roisin McGonigle coming out to make a brave, last ditch block.

Ballythomas scored an equalising goal but it was not a pretty one. Midfielder Saidhbhe Byrne just about squeezed past the Danescastle defence and while being tackled saw the ball roll fortunately into the net. Within a minute, a Roisín Hughes point saw them take the lead.

As the game ebbed and flowed it was Danescastle who finished the half much stronger. A Ciara Cummins pointed free followed by a Rachel Gaynor goal saw Danescastle power to a halftime lead. On each break Danescastle were dangerous and clinical while Ballythomas were finding it harder to hit the target.

The second half saw Ballythomas steady themselves and slowly they began to take over the game. Roisin Hughes capped off an industrious start with a well taken point. Then, defender Aisling Fitzpatrick popped up to score a wonderful long range goal to put her team back in the lead. Saidhbhe Byrne added another point before pocket rocket Bébhínn McDonald clipped over two well taken points to open up a four point lead.

Danescastle had a chance for a goal late on but Riadh Murphy, now in the Ballythomas goal, comfortably took the ball and cleared with composure. Roisin Hughes then went up the field to score her third point of the day and seal a fantastic first ever win for the Ballythomas girls.

Ballythomas: Roisín McGonigle, Ruth Redmond, Aisling Fitzpatrick, Niamh Murphy, Roisin Hughes, Saidhbhe Byrne, Saoirse McDonald, Caoilinn McNulty, Riadh Murphy, Bébhínn McDonald, Alana Noblett

Danescastle: Nicole Cahill, Emma Wickham, Ann Rossiter, Lucy Fitzgerald, Rachel Gaynor, Sarah Scallan, Ciara Cummins, Caoimhe O’Dwyer, Chantelle Nugent, Kate Harpur, Aideen Harpur, Allannah Ryan, Sarah Gaynor, Aoife Rossiter, Carley Cahill