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The annual Girls’ Mini Sevens Football attracted an entry of twelve teams to Annsborough Playing Field on Thursday 26/04/2007. The competition was played in three sections to ensure each team had a minimum of three competitive games with the top two teams in each section progressing to the later stages. Deploying the new Go Games Smart Touch rules, the entire competition was played in a most sporting spirit with all involved displaying the complete range of gaelic football skills. The three sections contained the following teams:
Section A : Bunscoil Naomh Padraig, St. Mary’s Newcastle, St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor & St. Patrick’s Saul
Section B: Holy Family Teconnaught, St. Patrick’s Legamaddy, St. Mary’s Aughlisnafin & Carrick P.S. Burren
Section C: St. Nicholas’ Ardglass, St. Patrick’s Mayobridge, St. Malachy’s Castlewellan & Ballyholland P.S.
St. Patrick’s Saul, St. Patrick’s Legamaddy, and St. Malachy’s Castlewellan won all their first round matches and so qualified for the semi-finals. The second placed teams in each section, St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor, St. Patrick’s Mayobridge and Carrick P.S. Burren played to ascertain the last semi-final place. Carrick P.S. were fast improving with each game and deservedly claimed this place. The draw for the semi-final was as follows:
St. Malachy’s Castlewellan v St. Patrick’s Legamaddy
Carrick P.S. v St. Patrick’s Saul
The first semi brought together two teams who so keenly contested the recent indoor football championship which Castlewellan won by the narrowest of margins. Could this spirited Legamaddy team overcome the lost of their influential player, Jennifer Timpany, who was injured blocking a ball in the previous game ? They certainly began with great gusto and only Castlewellan goalkeeper Emma Maguire prevented a rout of the Malachy’s team. Gradually, however, the St. Malachy’s girls gained the ascendancy and looked certain of a spot in the final. The Legamaddy team had other ideas and responded well to ensure the teams were level at the final whistle. Extra time ensued and both team still remained determined to gain the upper hand. Eventually, much to the relief of their supporters and consternation of the gallant Legamaddy, the St. Malachy’s girls won by a goal.
Result ( AET) St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 3-1 St. Patrick’s Legamaddy 2-1
The second semi-final brought together the novel pairing of St. Patrick’s Saul, who had performed so eloquently in recent times in girls’ football and the back door entry, Carrick P.S. who seemed to improve with each encounter. This, however, lacked the excitement of the previous semi-final as the South Down girls overran the Saul team in a rather one-sided encounter. Try as the St. Patrick’s team might, they seemed very tired after their previous games and eventually succumbed to their more polished opponents.
Result: Carrick P.S. 4-2 St. Patrick’s Saul 0-2
Now all was set for a spectacular final with the current indoor county champions at this level, Castlewellan, pitted against a fast flowing and skilful Carrick team. Castlewellan lead the charge on the Carrick goal with a sweet interchange movement between Paddi Hawkins, Aoife Keown and Sarah McArdle only to be repelled by the Carrick defence in the form of goalkeeper Rebecca Kinney, Leanne Taylor and Shaiun Farell. Down the field went this Burren outfit and a smart move involving Meabh Cassidy and Caoimhe Fitzpatrick enabled leading markswoman Emily Martin to open her account with a well taken point. Castlewellan’s Sarah McArdle fielded the long clearance from her goalkeeper Emma Maguire to send Aoife Keown bearing down on the Carrick goal. She was impeded but the resulting free was saved by the Carrick goalkeeper. Off went the Carrick team in pursuit of another score and Caoimhe Fitzpatrick sent Emily Martin in on goals and she certainly accepted the opportunity to increase her side’s tally with an unstoppable shot. Meanwhile Sarah McArdle rallied her side but her wayward shot went narrowly wide. St. Malachy’s were not giving up that easily but their hurried shooting lacked the accuracy of their previous games. After much Carrick pressure, Castlewellan’s goalie Emma Maguire found Aoife Keown who got a return pass from Orla Magennis but Rebecca Kinney in the Carrick goal prevented a certain score. Following an infringement on Sarah McArdle, she pointed to increase her team’s tally and left the half-time score :
St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 0-0 Carrick P.S. 1-2
St. Malachy’s started the second as if they really meant business and soon opened the scoring with a well taken point by Sarah McArdle. The team was now finding its rhythm and Paddi Hawkins, Aoife Keown and Orla Magennis all surged forward in search of scores. However the Carrick defence was resolute with Kiara Byrne, Leanna Taylor and Molly McAvoy using their blocking skills to repel all efforts. After soaking up much Castlewellan pressure, they bore down field and a fluent passing movement found Emily Martin in front of goals and a further point. As time was evaporating and with a now desperate Castlewellan team in search of goals, Carrick had a counterattack and Caoimhe Fitzpatrick provided Emily Martin with another opportunity which she sent to the Castlewellan net.
Final Score: Carrick P.S. 2-3 St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 0-1
After the final, Mr Paddy Hardy Leas Cathaoirleach Cumann na mBunscol an Dúin congratulated all the teams who had participated in the day’s events. He marvelled at the level of skills, enthusiasm and sporting behaviour displayed by the children involved. He thanked the coaches of these teams, John Morgan Football Development Officer and Conor Laverty Football Coach. He then present the trophies to the two finalists and complimented both teams for such an enjoyable final. He also reminded all present that the INTO Camogie competition takes place in Annsborough on Tuesday 8 May with a 10 a.m. start.
Cumann na mBunscol an Dúin regret the injury to Jennifer Timpany and send her their best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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