This will be the girls second year in the premier division and last year they were worthy winners of the U16 premier division.

 

Carrigtwohill were dealt a hammer blow before Kick off with the late withdrawal of Amelia Sheehan due to injury. We were also missing Anna Madden who was on Cork U16 CWSSL duty. Our mantra has always been to “Believe” and management have the upmost belief in their squad so we had no fear or worries about our players stepping up.

 

On goal was Emily and she was flanked by the ever present Megan Walker, Gemma Daly and Majka Kurek. Maedhbh, Sarah, Rachel, Kinga and Pennie in midfield with Lily and Kayla up front.

 

With the aid of a very strong breeze Carrigtwohill applied enormous pressure on a very well organised and disciplined Leeside team. Not only was there a rustiness about Carrigtwohill in the opening minutes but there seemed to be a bit of lethargy in their play too. Carrigtwohill were forcing all the play and had Leeside well boxed in their own half but couldn’t find the back of the net. Carrigtwohill were squandering numerous  corners from the excellent Lily and we were beginning to think would these missed chances come back to haunt us.

 

After the first 25 minutes Carrigtwohill began to settle and play with a bit more composure and authority. The breakthrough came soon after when Pennie O’Connor popper up with an excellent back post finish. Just reward for a girl who never gives up. Soon afterwards Kayla Kidney showed why the management value her so much with an audacious finish from the wing giving the Leeside keeper no chance. Gemma O’Callaghan replaced Kinga and showed some excellent touches. 

 

At half time Carrigtwohill were forced to reshuffle when an injury forced Pennie off. Caitín Egan came into right back, Megan moved to the wing and proceeded to have a fantastic game. Leeside were now playing with a very strong wind and it took the Carrigtwohill girls a bit of time to adjust to the conditions and shortly afterwards Maedhbh Carroll bundled home the third goal from close range. Carrigtwohill reintroduced Kinga who came back on like a woman possessed and caused Leeside lots of problems. Kinga was very unlucky not to score herself but she did provide Gemma a beautiful pass to round off the scoring.

 

Caoimhe Egan came on for the last twenty minutes and went about her business without fuss.

 

Emily, solid game in goal, very good distribution, Majka excellent at the back and when moved into midfield, a bit more belief and could have had two goals, that will come though, Gemma Daly, a real leader in defence, didn’t put a foot wrong, Megan dependable as usual in the backs, like a natural winger in midfield, Caitlín had an absolute stormer of a game, great to have her back, Sarah Cronin, what a choice for Captain, she was brilliant, cool and composed as you like. Another thundering all action performance from Maedhbh Carroll who finished the game upfront, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm???? Kinga brilliant in the second half, Pennie a super game on the wing and opened her scoring account, young Kayla Kidney, great game and with constant training will only get better and better, Lily put in a complete powerhouse of a performance, she has more tricks than Paul Daniels, a real thorn in the Leeside team all day, she must have covered every blade of grass. Gemma O’Callaghan rounded off a fine performance with another well taken goal, Caoimhe “no fuss Egan”  a solid game when introduced and finally in a game where Sarah was absolutely immense it would take an exceptional performance to win player of the match and so it was, Rachel Barret epitomised the attacking intelligent brand of football that Carrigtwohill aspire to play, always looking to receive, always looking to play the simple pass, always offering herself as an option, playing heads up attacking football she was on fire. Well done Rachel.

 

Special mention to Ellie O’Leary whose registration didn’t come through in time to play but who is a fantastic addition to the panel.

 

A special shout out to the parents and coaches (past and present) and teachers who have played a huge part in developing these girls into fine players and young ladies.

 

The management team this year is Dave O’Connor, Fred Adam, Lorraine O’Connell, Karen Sheehan, Marianne Walker and Colum McCarthy.

 

A special word of thanks to Lily O’Connell and Pennie O’Connor who took it upon themselves to sweep out the dressing room and gather up the jerseys for washing after the game. Absolute legends.

 

# Lets go Astro, please help make our dream a reality. 

 

 

Thank you.