KEPAK Junior A Championship Round 2 – Match Report
Dunsany 0-05 v Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 2-13
25th August 2022
The pressure was on for the Junior A team, after yesterday’s victory for the Dunshaughlin Senior Ladies Team and their first round defeat to St Pats. The Gaels started strong with Laura Bourke and Róisin Bruce winning the throw-in, immediately leading to the opening score of the match by Ailis Bruce. Royal Gaels remained dominant in the first quarter with Bourkey and Ailis slotting two composed points over the bar. Tara Ryan showed us that retirement is not on the cards yet, sailing three points across the bar, assisted by full-forward Susie O’Rourke. Aoibhinn Bracken, known for her defensive skills, even added her name to the scoreboard, following a quick pass from Róisin Bruce. Despite a young Dunsany side’s best efforts, defenders Cathy Quinn and Ciara Galvin worked tirelessly turning over the ball. Mother of 3, Ciara Murphy, proved children should never stop you from following your dreams, as she was powerful and extremely influential throughout the match. A crafty pass from Bourkey to Susie who cleverly tapped the ball over her player was unlucky not to be awarded with the goal. However, this was soon followed by an accurate pass from Tara to Clara MacCanna, who drove the ball into the back of the net. Clara proved that she can do more than just make a good chicken fillet roll, as she slotted another point over the bar, followed by another well-taken point by Tara Ryan. Dunsany’s endeavours were rewarded with a point before half time. Despite, a tremendous 1-on-1 save by fearless and ferocious goalkeeper Lara Reynolds before the first half whistle, a bad blow to the knee reduced her to the bench to recover with some jellies for the second half.
The 2nd half saw Susie O’Rourke take a solo trip down the centre of the pitch and blasted the ball into the back of a net. However, the Dunsany goalkeeper and backs were tenacious, shutting down the Royal Gaels forwards on numerous occasions. Laura Bourke, who had been solid in the centre all match sent a crisp kick-pass to Ailis who sailed the ball over the bar. Susie was like a dog with a bone, latching onto any ball that was sent into her. Róisin Bruce was replaced by Chloe McLoughlin, who added her name to the scoreboard, followed by another point by Tara Ryan. Dunsany were unlucky to send a penalty wide to the left post, however the Dunsany team were quick to bounce back and scored 4 points in the last quarter of the game, despite a few notable turnovers by Cathy Quinn. Royal Gaels remained on top, with the final score being 2-13 to 0-05 points. Next up for the Gaels is a home game v Moynalvey on Sunday 11th September at 7.30pm.
Team: Lara Reynolds, Molly McNamara, Cathy Quinn, Orlaith Moyles, Ciara Galvin, Ciara Murphy, Lauren Brophy, Laura Bourke, Roisín Bruce, Hayley Reynolds, Clara Mac Canna, Ailis Bruce, Susie O’Rourke, Tara Ryan, Aoibhinn Bracken. Subs: Éabha Byrne for lara Reynolds, Emily Manek for Lauren Brophy, Chloe Mc Loughlin for Hayley Reynolds & Grace Mulvaney for Aoibhinn Bracken.