Saints Make Winning Start Against Waves

Excitement was building in Marlay Park on Saturday, as St Patrick’s Athletic’s hugely successful academy kicked off a historic new journey by introducing their first women’s team in the WLN U17 League. They were preparing for their first match against DLR Waves. Kickoff was at five o’clock, and bit by bit, a steady crowd arrived, gathering around the sidelines. There was a sense of trepidation about, as the girls were determinedly warming up.

The whistle blew and the two teams were off. For a team just entering the league, the match should have been daunting, playing a well experienced opponent, but as the minutes ticked on, the Saints held Waves in check, matching them challenge for challenge. With bated breath we watched as the Saints attacked, and then came the milestone of the Saints’ first goal. Eve Maloney buried it into the back of the net, leaving the Waves’ goalkeeper no chance. Three minutes into the first half and it was one nil to Pats.

As light started to dim, and the floodlights cast a sheen over the pitch, the two teams were battling it out. Possession was all but equal, and at that point in the game, it could have gone either way. However, we didn’t have to wait long until the Saints were surging up the field. Unstoppable, captain Amber Cullen sent the ball into the back of the net fifteen minutes into the game, and it became two nil. After a brief celebration the girls were back in place, more determined than ever.

The rest of the half remained scorless, but it was far from dull. Every chance the Waves had, the girls pushed back, and they had a few chances as well. There was a slight stoppage as Amber Cullen had an injury, but she was back up and playing in no time.

There was an electric start to the second half as one minute in, Eve Maloney got her second goal, making it three nil to the Saints. At this point they were steadfast in their defense, and waves had a hard time breaching midfield and the back four.

Waves were determined to get through, and played well, attacking with renewed vigour, and their pressure was rewarded with a goal. Only four minutes into the second half, they got a corner, and sent it into the box. In the tangle of legs, Aisling Meehan got her foot to the ball and sent it in. Three to one to the Saints, Waves were back in the game. The rest of the half was filled with pace, grit, and a fair amount of determination on both sides.The game stayed competitive but the Saints held out until the final whistle blew at seven o’clock, and St Patrick’s Athletic Women’s U17’s made history. It was an amazing win for the girls, and they’re now able to face next week’s game with an air of confidence.

Now, their focus turns to next week. They face Bohs in Cherry Orchard on Saturday the 11th of March, and hopefully they can bring about a similar result. Crowds are welcome, if you want to come and see the newest era of the club’s academy coming to life.

Manager Darragh O’Reilly gave me a few words after the game;

‘’Delighted with the start and couldn't be prouder of the girls.

We focused a lot this week on how we'd press to win the ball high up the pitch and to an individual they were brilliant.

The girls are all buzzing & will enjoy the rest of the weekend but they know it's just the start so we'll try to improve certain things and look ahead to next week’’

As the crowds dissipated, the girl’s were delighted, running off the field in victory for the first, but surely not the last time. The night ended with a deafening chorus of ‘Freed From Desire’ echoing out of the changing rooms into the night.