Whitegate hold out to secure final spot

Whitegate 6-6 Ruan 5-8

WHITEGATE managed to hold off a storming second half performance from Ruan to make it through to the minor C final by the minimum of margins on Saturday afternoon in Feakle. Whitegate got of to a stronger start with two points from Karen Bugler and two goals from Shauna Donnellan.
After many missed chances, Ruan got their first score when a great pass from Lauren O’Donoghue to Rebecca Crowe who put it over the bar. Whitegate responded with another goal and two points from Susan Fahy. Ruan had a much needed goal  after  Ashling O’Brien passed to Amy O’Brien who scored. However Whitegate finished the half as strong as they started with another two goals in quick succession ,leaving the half time score at Whitegate 5-3 Ruan 1-2.
Whitegate had the opening point of the second half but it was Ruan who dominated the half as they launched attack after attack. Alice Casey converted a free and when Amy O’Brien scored a smashing goal, this inspired the Ruan side. Casey stepped up to take another free which she lobbed in for a goal, which was quickly followed by three points from Rebecca Crowe before Casey added a further goal and a point.
When Claire McDonnell pointed a free from her own 40 yard line, the deficit was reduced to four points. A point from Casey further narrowed the gap and when Amy O’Brien hit a great goal the sides were level.
With the seconds ticking down possession was vital and this possession fell to Whitegate who pointed on the final whistle. Having survived this blistering comeback from Ruan, Whitegate now progress to meet Eire Og in the final.

Ruan: Niamh Lyons, Emily Mulqueen, Claire McDonnell (0-1f), Triona Hogan, Sinead Collins, Aoife Forde; Alice Mahony, Lauren O’Donoghue (0-1), Ashling O’Brien, Rebecca Crowe (0-4), Alice Casey (2-2, 1f), Eadoin Fitzgearld, Amy O’Brien (3-0).
Subs: Ciara Ryan for Triona Hogan, Meadhbh Heagney for Eadoin Fitzgerald; Eimear Crowe for Aishling O’Brien, Lisa Reidy for Emily Mulqueen.
Whitegate: Aideen Burke, Sinead Coen, Chloe Bugler, Rachel Bleach, Melissa Forde, Emma Quirke, Orla Burke, Carol Minogue, Rachel O’Donoghue, Susan Fahy, Shauna Donnellan, Lisa O’Donoghue, Karen Bugler
Referee: Fergal Gray.