Fergus girls in fine fettle after U14 double

THERE WAS double joy for Fergus Rovers recently when the club captured county championships in two under 14 divisions.

First up were the U14C side who took their title with a dominant defeat of Banner Ladies.

Not to be outdone, their colleagues in the A division finished strongly to defeat Kilrush Shamrocks and land the county title.

U 14 A Final
Fergus Rovers 3-11 Kilrush Shamrocks 2-06
In the same week that Meath caught the attention of the nation after their sensational win over 5 in a row seeking Dublin, locally the young teenagers of Fergus Rovers and Kilrush did likewise in Kilmihil on Thursday evening when they served up an intriguing contest in the U 14 A championship final played before a fine attendance.

While there was never much between the sides until the closing minutes Kilrush did start the brighter and at the first water break held a three point advantage, 1-02 to 0-2 the goal coming from midfielder Aisling Crowe.

Fergus Rovers can thank their first half goal keeper Phoebe O’Shea for keeping her side in the game when she produced three top class saves in the opening quarter.

Gradually the winners put three points on the score board through Kate Lees, Keeva Culligan and a Sophie Culleton free while Hazel O’Shea once and the impressive Aibhlinn Cotter twice pointed for the Shamrocks. At half time Kilrush were 1-3 to 0-3 in front and had enjoyed a greater share of possession.

On the turn over Fergus Rovers switched goal keepers, it was a move that contributed handsomely to their second half performance as Phoebe O’Shea added an edge required. She began her outfield duties at full back and later moved to midfield where her driving runs paid huge dividends.

Keeva Culligan also made a crucial save in the second half while there were excellent defensive displays from Eimear Lynch, Abbie Cahill and in particular wing back Hazel Keating.

Ria Meaney really came in to the game during this spell while both half forwards Sophie Culleton and Sadbh Griffin made telling contributions with four and two second half points respectively.

Ivanna Costelloe rattled the net for the winners but back game a gallant Kilrush with a like score from Heather Murphy and at the 2nd half water break Fergus Rovers held a one point advantage 1-7 to 2-3.

Enter substitutes Megan Custy and Katie McDonnell who like Leah Culligan and Lauren Leahy all made telling contributions.

Custy and McDonnell both scored goals to seal an eight point win a margin that did not look likely until the closing minutes.

After the game Co. Secretary Monica Callinan from the host club presented the Collins Jewellers cup to Fergus Rovers captain Katie McMahon ending a 33 year gap since the club last won this prestigious title.
Fergus Rovers; Phoebe O’Shea 0-1, Eimear Burke, Eimear Lynch, Rebecca McNamara, Hazel Keating, Abbie Cahill, Kate Kelly, Ria Meaney, Keeva Culligan 0-1, Sophie Culleton 0-5 (0-4f), Ivanna Costelloe 1-1, Sadbh Griffin 0-2, Kate Lees 0-1, Katie McMahon (capt), Sarah McNamara. Subs: Lauren Leahy, Leah Culligan, Megan Custy 1-0, Alanna Connolly, Brenda McMahon, Katie McDonnell 1-0, Ava Gallery.
Kilrush; Isabella Blake, Emma Bolton, Aoife McMahon, Caoimhe Larkin, Aine Bermingham, Grace McInerney, Jessica O’Sullivan, Aisling Crowe 1-1, Eadaoin McMahon, Leah Daly, Hazel O’Shea 0-1, Ella Dullaghan 0-1, Aoibhlinn Cotter 0-2, Lucy Hehir 0-1, Heather Murphy 1-0. Subs; Aoife Crowley, Ania Zajas, Avamy Broderick, Ciara Kennedy, Eimear O’Brien, Kate Canny, Laura Kennedy, Mari Purtill, Rita McMahon, Michaela Kelly, Meabh Downes.
Referee; Paul Hickey, (Kilmurry Ib.)

U 14 C Final
Fergus Rovers 5-14 Banner Ladies 4-04
Fergus Rovers captured the U 14 C championship title on Tuesday evening when they proved too strong for Banner Ladies at Fr. McNamara Park, Quin Rd, Ennis.

The winners controlled the match from the start leading by three points to no score at the first water break and by 3-7 to 1-1 at the interval thanks to goals from Maeve Clancy, Alexandria Talty and Hazel Conway while Kate Hayes accounted for the Banners goal.

Further goals from Keelin McMahon and Neasa Meaney as well as points from Maeve Clancy and Sarah Hickey ensured Fergus Rovers controlled the 3rd quarter at the end of which they were 5-11 to 1-4 in front.

Credit to the Banner they finished strong adding three goals, two from Kate Dowling and one from team captain Grace O’Halloran.

Leah Leahy, Jenny Williams, Alexandria Talty, Neasa Meaney and top scorers Maeve Clancy and Sarah Hickey did very well for the winners.

After the match Co. Board Treasurer, Geraldine Kelly presented the cup to Fergus Rovers captain Neasa Meaney.

See pictures from the club’s website here

Fergus Rovers: Lauren Feeney, Leah Leahy, Ciara Spellissy, Jenny Williams, Roisin Garry, Nicole Carmody, Alexandria Talty 1-0, Neasa Meaney (capt) 1-2, Saoirse Frawley 0-1, Maeve Clancy 1-5, Sarah Hickey 0-6, Hazel Conway 1-0, Saoirse Conway, Keelin McMahon 1-0, Katie Troy. Subs: Michelle Shannon, Naoise Talty, Emma Kelly.
Banner Ladies: Georgia Whyte, Caoimhe Dinan, Theresa Brew, Niamh Queally, Blaithin Barry, Tara Moroney, Aoife Cummins, Clarissa Gilmore, Grace O’Halloran (capt) 1-1, Kate Hayes 1-0, Aoibhinn McGrath 0-1, Amy Clancy, Clodagh Mahony, Keela Finnerty, Caoilfhoinn O’Dwyer 0-2. Subs: Deborah Nijimbere, Ava Healy, Ciara Lohan, Myriam Liddane, Emma Warren, Kate Dowling 2-0, Roisin Hogan, Emma Mahoney, Emilia Gareghty, Kayla Gooney, Lauren Gooney, Emma Shannon, Aoife Baker, Brooke McInerney.
Referee: Noel Quinn