Report Kepak Junior B Final 19th October 2024

• Oct 23,2024

Goals win games has been the case in the GAA for its eternity and the same could be said in Bective for the Ladies Junior B Football Championship Final on Saturday 19^th October where four goals for Kilbride saw them leave as Champions.  

Having led by three points with 65 minutes played, Gaeil Colmcille coughed up a crucial goal to see the game forced into extra time. Having trailed at half time by 4 points they nearly won the day until that last gasp goal. Kilbride scored another goal in extra time and managed to keep the Kells side at bay to win out at the end on an enthralling game.

Kepak Junior B Championship Final 

Kilbride v Gaeil Colmcille

Venue: Bective GFC

Saturday 19^th October 2024 @ 3.30pm

Gaeil Colmcille’s Sarah McGillick opened the scoring in the game when she pointed inside the opening 5 minutes but Kilbride’s response was emphatic as they found the back of the net from the boot of Suzie Dempsey for the first of their goals. Aideen Reilly then secured a point after 12 minutes.  

A pointed free and a fortunate goal that dropped into the net from a free kick by player of the match Megan Peters saw the Kilbride girls lead 2-01 to 0-01 with a quarter of the game played and left an uphill task for the Kells girls who were yet to get out of the blocks. Cailín Grace got the Gaeils’ second point of the day and Gemma Clarke finished the scoring in the half with a pointed free to see Gaeil Colmcille trail by four points at the half with Kilbride ahead 2-01 to 0-03. Kells did have a goal chance in the half but Orla O’Rorke’s effort was brilliantly saved by the Kilbride keeper Meghan Leddy.

Half time score Kilbride 2-01, Gaeil Colmcille 0-03

Both sides tore into the second half with intent and Clarke and Reilly traded points before Aideen Reilly pointed again for Kilbride to extend their lead 2-03 to 0-05. Things got better for Kells though as Clarke found the back of the net to close the gap to a single point with 10 of the half gone. Clarke pointed in the 39th minute for Gaeil Colmcille and the sides were level 2-03 to 1-06.

Megan Peters put Kilbride ahead again only to be cancelled out by Clarke. Serena Gavin fired over another point to nip in front again on 19 minutes in the half gone. The large crowd were enjoying the battle that was being played out on the brilliant pitch in Bective!

Emma-Jane McKeon who was having a standout second half levelled the game up with 7 minutes of normal time remaining and Clarke put Kells ahead for the first time since the opening score 1-09 to 2-05. McKeon once again popped up to raise a white flag and when Clarke added another it looked as if Kells were to be champions.

Kilbride tried hard to get a goal to equalise the match, and Gaeil Colmcille were defending with everything they had, until Aideen Reilly put the ball in the back of the net leaving the game level in added time. Referee John O’Brien blew his whistle for fulltime and we were going nowhere! The crowd were excited at the prospect of extra time and both teams didn’t disappoint.

Full time score

Kilbride 3-05 (14), Gaeil Colmcille 1-11 (14)

Having to pick themselves up for the additional time, Kilbride struck their fourth goal of the day in the 5th minute of the opening period of extra time from great team work finished off by Aideen Reilly. Credit must be given to the Kells girls who never lay down and two Clarke strikes before half-time bringing her personal tally to 1-08 on the day kept Gaeil Colmcille in the contest at the break.

Half time Extra time Kilbride 4-05, Gaeil Colmcille 1-13

After the break, Emma-Jane McKeon drew the sides level once more for Gaeil Colmcille with a lung bursting run and it set up for a nervy finish.

The next 5 minutes of the extra time were not for the faint hearted as both these teams battled for scores, As the Gaeils went in search for a winner it was Kilbride that hit two points from Peters and Reilly to claim the Kepak Junior B Championship.

An amazing win in front of huge support from both sides. A great game of football from both teams and a battle right to the end.

Final Score A.E.T

Kilbride 4-07 (19), Gaeil Colmcille 1-14 (17)

From great team performances there were some stand out performances on the day from Kilbride’s Maggie Donnelly in the full back line, Grace Moody, centre back, Serena Gavin, midfield, along with Megan Peters and Aideen Reilly in the full forward line. Gaeil Colmcille can be proud of their performance with super displays from Emma Jane McKeon, Cailín Grace, Gemma Clarke and Leanne Connell.

The Cup was presented to Captain Kate Reilly by Colm McManus and Shane McCormack Meath Senior Ladies Manager presented the player of the match award to Megan Peters.

Kilbride Team:
Meghan Leddy, Ava Nugent, Sarah o Leary, Maggie Donnelly, Sarah Hayes, Grace Moody, Emily Keenan, Kate Reilly (Captain), Serena Gavin (0-1), Holly Clancy, Susie Dempsey (1-0), Laura Gavin, Anna McKeon, Megan Peters (1-04), Aideen Reilly (2-02)
Subs:
Laura Campion, Ruth o Driscoll, Katie Moody, Sophie Quinn, Jessica Malone, Katie Molloy, Ella White, Caoimhe Nugent, Layla Stewart, Caoimhe McCormack, Amy Ward, Sarah Keenan, Rachel McManus, Ruby McManus, Maria Barrett

Gaeil Colmcille: Leah Donlon, Tara Fitzgerald, Leanne Connell, Eadaoin Morgan, Terri-Ann Ferguson, Emma-Jane McKeon (0-03), Emily Sheridan-Fox, Caroline O’Rorke, Grace Gibney, Cailin Grace (0-01), Gemma Clarke (1-08), Aoibhe Sheridan-Fox, Issey McKeon, Orla O’Rorke, Sarah McGillick (0-02).

Subs: Emma Connell for Orla O’Rorke, Loren Clarke for Aoibhe Sheridan-Fox, Anna Reddy for Fitzgerald.