Sciath na Scoil
Wednesday 17th of May saw the Knockskeagh girls in action in Ahamilla battling for a place in the Sciath na Scol final .The pitches were in pristine conditions and the sun was blistering . Knockskeagh played Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Chaoileáin in the first game . Knockskeagh started very well and opened with a beautifully taken by Lily Allman . After that the Gaelscoil settled down to work and Knockskeagh’s defence had the hands to the pump .
Rosie Scottand Amy Murphy were rocks in our defence denying the Gaelscoil numerous occasions with brave tackling . Isabelle Walsh, Emily Williamson and Aideen Murphy battled gamely against a well trained Gaelscooil who had more experience and team work on this day .
The Gaelscoil kept the scoreboard ticking over with some well taken scores that were hard fought for thanks to the gallant efforts of our girls . Claire Scanlan was a clossus pulling off a suite of top class saves but alas the Gaelscoil got in for two goals.
The Knockskeagh forwards were always a threat but on the day they meet a rock solid defence . Clodagh O’ Regan and Lily Allman linked well and on another day might have forged a couple of goals . Emma Kitgawa and Emily Draper had a couple of chances that went narrowly wide . Aoibhínn Rice never gave up on the cause . Ella Coakley,Shauna Mc Carthy Beth Jordan showed great energy and work ethic when they came on as finishers .
The Gaelscoil were deserved winners but our girls battled gamely .
Next up for Knockskeagh the girls were St. Mary’s Rosscarbery . The Knockskeagh girls started with a whirlwind with Lily Allman crashing the ball to the Ross net early doors . The Knockskeagh girls were teak tough and tackled bravely . Amy Murphy and Rosie Scott were heroic time and time relieving the girls in red of the leather in the nic of time . As always Claire Scanlan was solid under the high ball and her distribution was measured and calm . The Ross girls kicked some nice scores from distance to stay well in the game . Beth Jordan was winning some great possession with her first cousin Claire finding her in space . On one occasion Beth bore down on the Ross square and scored a fabulous goal for our girls . Ross responded with some more hard worked scores with Aisling Kingston and Kitty May Walsh battling in the midifield section against an experienced Ross pairing . They linked well to find the brave Amber Horgan who found Clodagh O’ Regan who smashed the ball to Mary’s net . Ross responded, when a fortuitous bounce got there corner forward in the clear and she made no mistake finishing coolly despite the best efforts of Claire Scanlan .
The second half saw Rosscarbery upping the ante and Knockskeagh responding brilliantly to the challenge . Emily Williamson and Aideen Murphy were immense with tireless running .Isabelle Walsh was solid at number 6. Whilst Faye Mc Carthy was sharp and deadly accurate pilfering the ball from the red attackers numerous times . Ella Coakley won lots of possesion and was unselfish, always looking for a teammate . Ross raced into the lead as the clock was running down . Emma Kitgawa was superb when she came on grabbing a lovely ciatóg point . St Mary’s held on to win by two points but once again the cailiní in purple and green were a credit to themselves and all who know them .
Our last game aganist Timoleague N.S was another game that exemplified all that is good in sport . There was tremendous enthusuiasm,teamwork and laughter to be seen and heard on the pitches of Ahamilla .
Claire Scanlan led brilliantly and her defence was superb . This time some of the younger players featured with Tess O Sullivan, Gracie and Ruby Ingelstan playing really well . Isobelle led the rearguard confidently and Rosie Scott was an able ally to her . While Amy Murphy and Emily Williamson made some brilliant interceptions . The pairing of Kitty- May Walsh and Aisling Kingston ran tirelessly all over the pitch .
Clodagh O’ Regan linked will with Lily Allman to score a point each in the first half while Timoleague struck for goal . Emma Kitagawa’s pace had the Timoleague rearguard in all sorts of trouble . Beth Jordan scoring a good goal just before half time .
In the second half it was nip and tuck between two sporting teams with Ruby Mc Carthy flying on the wing and Laoise Ryan winning anything that came her wing . Muirne McMahon had a solid game on the wing with Lucy O’ Regan, Ellie O’ Crowley and Peggy Collins proving valuable additions to the cause .
This game was tight and tense with Timoleague shading but the Knockskeagh girls playing with oodles of character and never gave in spirit .
A huge thanks to Poppy Buttimer and May Gaynor who were tremendous help all day .
Molann an obair na mná
Panel : Claire Scanlan,Emily Williamson Isabelle,Walsh, Ruby Mc Carthy, Shauna Mc Carthy,Amber Horgan,Aisling KIngston,Clodagh O’ Regan,Emma Kitagawa,Lily Allman,Aideen Murphy,Amy Murphy,Aoibhínn Rice,Caoimhe Warner ( inj ) Ellie O’ Crowley,Emilie Draper,Faye Mc Carthy,Kitty- May Walsh,Rosie Scott,Ella Coakley,Ruby Ingelsten,Gracie Ingelsten,Muirne Mc Mahon,Tess O’ Sullivan,Peggy Collins and Lucy O’ Regan .
