Down Ladies Junior Championship Final: Kilcoo 2-10 Rostrevor 6-02
Downpatrick RGU at 3pm – Sunday 2nd September

The Rostrevor Ladies team survived a last minute scare to clinch their first Ladies Junior Championship title. Playing in front of a bumper crowd in Downpatrick, a determined Kilcoo side pushed Rostrevor to the end, scoring a goal and hitting the post with minutes to go but the reds recovered their composure to win by four, delighting their many fans.

Kilcoo were first to get off the mark, with a point from nippy half forward Kylie Doherty. Rostrevor equalled matters quite quickly with an excellent score from in front of the posts from Natashya Daryaie. That was to be their only score of the half, a fact that mattered little as they went on a goal scoring run. Goals from former Down All Ireland winner Brenda Russell and corner forward Aisling McGeough gave them the upper hand although Kilcoo did respond well with a trio of scores from midfielder Leon Doherty, who notched up an impressive 1-3 in the first half. With half time approaching, Rostrevor’s Aisling McGeough popped up in front of goal to fire the ball into the top left hand corner. The Rostrevor score sheet was propped up well by their back line, particularly full back Teresa Parr who made two goal saving blocks in the half, and Danielle Sherry who held the line well from half back. Half time, Kilcoo 1-6 Rostrvevor 4-1

It was the reds who came out of the blocks quicker in the second half. From the throw in, Carina Gannon found her midfield partner Rosie Markey who hit a great through ball to Aisling McGeough. The forward struck the ball low at the ‘keeper’s feet, who was unlucky not to be able to hold on to the ball in the slippy conditions, as it rolled into the net. Rostrevor followed this with a number of point chances, which fell into keeper Roisin McGreevy’s hands, who cleared the danger well. Rostrevor came close to getting on the score sheet again as a long ball in from Russell dipped under the crossbar, only for a square ball decision to be awarded. To their credit, the young Kilcoo team came back into the game, with the excellent Cara Laverty making several excellent solo runs.

Kilcoo’s excellent midfielder Leon Doherty continued her impressive play into the second half, causing difficulties for the Rostrevor defence. A strong run into the fourteen yard line resulted in a goal attempt, well blocked by the blanket Rostrevor defence. However, a resulting foul gave centre half forward Catriona Devlin the opportunity to score, which she duly did. Kilcoo continued to press forward, with Iona McEvoy showing well on the wing. A Rostrevor point from Ann Marie Reilly was quickly cancelled out as Cara Laverty drove forward and found McEvoy. A free awarded for a foul on her was converted by the reliable Doherty.

Probably the turning point of the half came from captain Brenda Russell. She thumped the ball from 35 yards and while it looked to be heading over the bar, it dipped at the last minute just below the crossbar giving the Kilcoo Keeper no chance. Kilcoo didn’t give up though, clawing back another point through a free from Doherty to reduce the gap to eight points. With just five minutes remaining, Kylie Doherty took possession of the ball on her own half back line. She took off on a solo run right up to the opposition’s fourteen-yard line, where she hit probably the score of the day. With seven between them, Kilcoo again attacked through a goal effort from Doherty which was well blocked by Teresa Parr. Doherty did claim her goal though, as their next attack saw her belt the ball to the top corner of the net, testing both the net and the nerves of both team’s supporters. With four between them and three minutes left, Kilcoo pushed forward again only to see another great goal effort rebound off the post to safety. With their chance seemingly gone, the Rostrevor team regained their composure. A foul on Russell in the middle of the field saw them calm the nerves and play the ball to the corner using up the last seconds. While the game was eventually won by four points, they were mightily relieved to hear referee Frank McMullan’s final whistle, giving them the title. Final Score Kilcoo 2-10 Rostrevor 6-02.

Great credit must go to both teams for a highly entertaining game of football. Their achievements in reaching the final were all the more impressive as both teams only joined the ladies league earlier this year. Most impressive for Rostrevor were forwards Aisling McGeough and Brenda Russell while credit goes to their backs, particularly Danielle Sherry and Teresa Parr for keeping them always that step ahead on the score sheet. The Kilcoo team can be very proud of their first championship final outing. Forwards Catriona Devlin, Cara Laverty and Kylie Doherty were excellent while midfielder Leon Doherty deserved a winner’s medal for a tremendous personal tally of 2-5.

Rostrevor: Kerri-Anne Magee, Stephanie McConville, Teresa Parr, Colleen Magee, Siobhan Magee, Danielle Sherry, Siofra Mooney, Rosie Markey, Carina Gannon, Claire Daly, Brenda Russell (Captain), Anne-Marie Reilly, Tracey Rice, Natasha Daryaie, Aisling McGeough. Subs used: Aideen Collins

Kilcoo: Roisin McGreevy, Deirdre McEvoy, Noreen Brogan, Sarah Grant, Michelle Boden (Captain), Fiona McNeill, Niamh O’Higgins, Leon Doherty, Elaine McNeill, Emma McNeill, Catriona Devlin, Kylie Doherty, Tierna Carlin, Orlaith Clarke, Cara Laverty

Michelle McClean