U12 Girls Championship - The Final Awaits!

Championship Semi Final

On a gloriously sun-drenched evening in Croghan stadium, Shannon Gaels defeated Four Roads in an entertaining semi-final of the U12 girls' championship.


The team played some fabulous football, moving Christina Beirne to the back line replacing the injured Aisling Egan who is out with a broken elbow sustained in the replay against Oran.


Gold medallist Christina was inspirational all through the game, continuously driving her team forward on numerous occasions. Aisling Cryan came in to fill the 13th position on the field. Early on in the game the girls didn't have much luck sending a few shots wide but Tess Murtagh got the opening score with a fabulous point.

The next point came from Katie Daly who played a spectacular game in midfield. Four Roads fought back getting two points to equalise. Shannon Gaels went in level at half time thanks to the excellent goal keeping of Sarah Surlis.

In the second half Aine O' Dowd got three lovely points - one set up by Eimear Cryan, the other two from fees. Four Roads came back and scored a point having earlier hit the crossbar but Emma O' Beirne having been put through by Rachel McDermott scored an outstanding goal putting the Gaels five points ahead.

Four Roads scored another point from a free but Aine O' Dowd wasn't finished yet, she scored a goal to put the Gaels seven points ahead with Laura Gannon unlucky with a shot on goal shortly after. Four Roads piled on the pressure and scored a goal with five minutes left.

Shannon Gaels' defence held out in the closing stages where Caoimhe O' Dowd, Connie Doyle, Laura Deane and Elaine McDermott were rock solid.

When the referee blew the final whistle, the atmosphere was unreal. There was a great turn out - great to see the community came out to support the girls.

The final score was 2-5 to 1-4. The girls couldn't have done it without their trainer Luke O' Dowd and their managers Sandra Surlis and Geraldine Cryan.

The girls will be eagerly awaiting the final showdown against Kilglass on Monday, 15th June.

BEST OF LUCK!!!!!

COMMUNITY GAMES...

Croghan Drumlion Cortober Community Games

Congratulations to all the children that took part in the county finals over the bank holiday.

The weather was brilliant but the heat made it difficult for the children to participate.

Despite this the area did very well.

U10 mixed ran very well and did us all proud – Team was Caoimhe O’Dowd, Shane Surlis, Aisling Cryan, DArragh O’Dowd and subs were Jason Conlon & Hannah O’Dowd.

U12 boys very nearly won a medal too with their top performance – Team was Shane McDonnell, Jack O’Dowd, Darragh O’Dowd & John McDonell.

Aine O’Dowd qualified for the final in the U12 girls 600m and put in a top performance on Monday.

The U14 boys relay team collected bronze on Sunday evening,

Team was Niall Morris, Jonathan Beirne, Keelan O’Dowd, Declan Morris and sub was Conor O’Dowd.

Well done lads.



All of our athletics got out of their heats on Monday and qualified for semi-finals so an excellent display of local talent was on show in Ballyleague.



On the Monday Sile O’Dowd was the first for Area to collect her Gold medal in the U16 girls 1500m, then Caoimhe O’Dowd collected Gold in the U10 100m and last but not least Christina Beirne collected her gold medal in the U12 girls 100m.

All three go forward to represent the Area & County in the National finals. Well done Girls and good luck in Athlone.

WHAT A SPLENDID achievement and we would like to wish the girls the best of luck as they represent the county in the finals!!!!