Monaleen Juvenile GAA Club

Monaleen travelled to Cappamore on Thursday for the first match of the U12 Championship with a much depleted panel of 13. Despite this the team put up a fantastic performance against one of the fancied teams in the competition in a game which ended all square.

Cappamore started the stronger and Eileen Russell playing her first full game in goal made some crucial saves backed up by some great defending by Niamh Condon, Igrainne O Dwyer and Laura Enright at full back. As the half wore on Monaleen came more into the match with Niamh Doyle at Centre back and Aine Hegarty along with Aoife Hogan in midfield beginning to dominate. Some good chances were created but the Cappamore goalie was equal to them.

Then against the run of play Cappamore got an excellent goal just before half time.

The second half began again with Monaleen in control. The switch of Siobhain Phelan and Caroline Crotty into midfield stopped Cappamore time after time before they could launch attacks. After a number of near misses Grainne Fullen playing right midfield scored a goal with 10 minutes remaining. This began a period of sustained pressure from Monaleen with Eilbhe Harrington and Maebh Ni Ghuairim threatening the goal on a number of occasions. Nora Farrell despite being ill came on with 5 minutes to go and helped create the best chance which Aoife Hogan put to the right of the upright.

Overall it was a great start to the campaign and while Monaleen will feel they left the win behind them there will be more opportunities in the weeks to come.

Also thanks to Ray Hogan (referee) who did a great job.

Team: Eileen Russell; Igrainne O Dwyer; Laura Enright; Niamh Condon; Niamh Doyle; Aoife Hogan; Aine Hegarty; Grainne Fullen (1-0); Siobhain Phelan; Eilbhe Harrington; Caroline Crotty; Meabh Ni Ghuairim; Nora Farrell.