Setback for Saints Against Strong Waves Side

Starting off with some exciting news, the Saints WU17s will soon welcome back their squad captain, Eimear Flood, who is almost recovered from her dislocated knee. She should be returning to the field soon, and the team looks forward to welcoming her back. We wish her the best in the final stretch of her recovery.

Last Saturday, the 22nd of April, the girls played their second game against DLR Waves. Having beaten them in the first game of the season, the girls went into the match hoping for a similar result. DLR had won their last two games, most recently beating Bray Wanderers six nil away from home. They were sitting in third place in the league, ready to face us in their fourth game of this season.

The match kicked off at 5pm, the weather looking brighter than it had been that morning, with the pitch shining from the damp. The first shot on target came ten minutes in, as Rebecca Yates took a shot, which was batted away resulting in a corner. Unfortunately, nothing came of it as it was headed away and play resumed.

From the start, the girls were playing well, the midfield in particular holding up well both defensively and in creating chances for the front three. The next chance came for the Saints 14 minutes in with another corner, taken by Katie Power, but the girls were unable to find the back of the net.

The next few minutes saw action on either end of the field, with Waves getting a corner which was cleared by Eve Moloney, and soon after a chance for Pats as Lucy Doheny crossed a ball into Simone Reilly, but nothing was able to come of it.

The Waves defence was working hard and relentlessly, and our next shot came 17 minutes in as Amber Cullen drove the ball towards the net, but the keeper got her hands to it before it crossed the line. At this point in the game it could have gone either way, both teams giving their absolute all. A minute later, there was trouble at the other end of the pitch, as DLR had their first big chance, with a mess of limbs in the box before it went out, granting the Saints a goal kick. The half whizzed by without any major chances for both teams, until 34 minutes in when DLR were granted a free outside the box, and one of their girls got her head to it, making it one nil to the Waves.

With the weather picking back up, umbrellas were opened, and the plentiful throws were made increasingly difficult as the slippery ball slid through hands. The girls did not give up after conceding however, and their next shot came right before the end of the half, as Amber Cullen sent the ball into Eve Moloney, who took the shot, just missing the post.

The referee was definitely proficient at his time management, and after an exact 45 minute half, the girls were called on pitch after half time and it kicked off right on schedule. The first chance of the second half fell to DLR, with a shot sailing to the side. In a series of substitutions, Nina Kearns and Molly McGauley came on to replace Simone Reilly and Lucy Doheny.

12 minutes into the second half, DLR extended their lead, making a break down the left hand side and crossing it into the centre. With a good finish, DLR were up two goals. Two subs later, one for DLR and Kaylyn Corcoran coming on for Rebecca Yates, the game continued, and keeper Annie O’Brien made a brilliant save. In the 67th minute, the saints got their next chance, with Amber Cullen sending the ball just over top, but the girls weren’t giving up, as a few minutes later, Nina Kearns got a shot on target, just blocked by the DLR keeper.

With the rain proving a difficulty for both the girls and myself in our respective trials, the half ticked on, neither side having much luck. Another substitution was made for the Saints, With Amy Dobbs coming on for Numi Makinwa, and soon after DLR making another change.

It was a difficult match, the girls having numerous chances, but none being able to find the back of the net, and DLR being able to sneak past our defence and get their goals. It was in the 91st minute that they finally got their third, as the ball was crossed in and the striker found the back of the net, making it three nil to DLR. The whistle blew soon after, and the game ended.

Next week, the girls face Bohemians for the second time this season away at the Oscar Traynor ground in Kilmore at 12pm. Supporters are always welcome.

Team Sheet

1 Annie O’Brien (G)

2 Oluwanumilekon (Numi) Makinwa ↓

3 Katie Power

4 Holly Telford

5 Jess Moore

6 Marian Bissett

7 Amber Cullen (C)

8 Simone Reilly↓

9 Eve Moloney

10 Rebecca Yates↓

11 Lucy Doheny↓

Subs

13 Leona Heffernan (G)

14 Molly McGauley↑

15 Amy Dobbs↑

16 Nina Kearns↑

17 Kaylyn Corcoran↑

18 Eimear Flood