Our primary 5th and 6th class girls combined to play in the St. Gerard’s 8 a side tournament on Friday, 20th of March 2015.
The squad, Goalkeeper Arianna Kealy, defenders Cara Osing, Gillian Tang, Midfield Sophia Murphy, Arinola Adigun, Anouk Schaffer Taylor, Forwards Clara Murphy, Lucy Staunton, Katie Doyle Wahl and Sarah Louise Murphy.
Game 1 V Delgany
From the start we played adventurous hockey, attacking down the right with Anouk charging forward and smashing balls in to the circle. Sophie Murphy was calling the shots from central midfield. Arinola was driving down the left. Up front Clara and Lucy were sweeping balls at goal and trying to score. At the back Gillian and Cara were marking tightly and stopping Delgany getting shots away. Katie and Sarah were also doing their utmost to score.
After 5 minutes we scored when Katie swept in to put us 1-0 up. After 12 minutes we got our second from a great passing movement and Clara scored to put us 2-0 up. Just before the end we got a third again from a delicious passing sequence. Sophia Murphy won a ball slipped it to Clara who turned and fed Katie who swept home to seal the game at 3-0
Final score St. Kilian’s 3 Delgany 0
Game 2 v Taney
We started at a great pace again attacking mainly down the right with Anouk running at pace and sending in delicious balls to Una and Clara. It was from one of these raids we scored when Clara swept the ball to Lucy who finished putting us 1-0 up. After 10 minutes we got the second when Anouk stormed forward and crossed to Lucy who swept home to put us 2-0 up. Arianna made two great saves to deny Taney. Clara and Gillian were brill at the back marking and sweeping balls away. Sophia and Arinola worked hard in midfield and Katie and Sarah were excellent when they came on.
Final score St. Kilian’s 2 Taney 0
Game 3 Quarter Final V Rathgar
This was our third game in a row and it was going to take a huge effort against a big strong Rathgar side. We started as we played in the other games and scored a cracker after 5 minutes from great pressure to go 1-0 up when Lucy gave a delightful pass to Clara who reversed in. Back came Rathgar who were counter attacking which brought the best from our keeper and defence. Gillian and Cara were working hard to contain Rathgar. Arianna made two amazing saves to deny Rathgar. We had most of the play and chances but could not convert. With time running out We were running out of steam and Rathgar scored to bring the game to penalties. We lost by the closest margin 5-4.
Final score St. Kilian’s 4 Rathgar 5
In all three games we played stunning hockey. The team kept their shape attacked down the right and created lots of scoring chances. Considering most of the team are 5th class it was a great tournament.
The future of girl’s hockey is bright in St. Kilian’s. Well done to Mrs. Collins and her team!!!
Tom Parsons Coach
