ST GABRIELS LADIES HISTORY 2016

ST GABRIELS JUNIORS HAD A GREAT WIN OVER ST MICHAELS as Gabriels Junior C team travelled to Barnaderg to play their Junior semi-final against St Michaels on Saturday 3rd of September 2016. After a very wet and thundery evening the skies cleared and the game began. St Gabriels Clare Kelly settled the team with a well taken goal after a great pass from Michelle Leonard. St Gabriels backs defended well and with an excellent work rate from the whole team St Gabriels kept the pressure on St Michaels. At half time St Gabriels were 1g & 3pts to St Michaels 5pts. In the second half the girls upped their game and with the aid of the breeze St Gabriels girls had an accomplished second half. Assurred performances were to the fore from Lauren Dolan, Pearl Finnerty, Aisling Donnellan and Clare Kelly. 

Amy Kelly scored a settling goal in the opening minutes of the second half and Niamh Donnellan scored two goals to put St Gabriels out of sight. Well done girls, excellent win and performance. We play the Junior C final on Sunday 11th of September. No venue or time yet. Thanks to Robbie Keane for all his hard work training these girls. Well Done to Gerry and thanks to Hannah for her input also. Best of Luck in the final.

Scoring for St Gabriels were: Bernie Larkin 1pt, Rosa Bleahene 1pt, Clare Kelly 1g 4pts, Amy Kelly 1g 1pt, Pearl Finnerty 1pt, Niamh Donnellan 2g 1pt, Alisling Donnellan 2pts. 

The team on the day was: Laura Hession, Niamh Donnellan, Captain, Laoise Keane, Leona Larkin, Michaella Dunne, Maureen Dolan, Lauren Dolan, Niamh Kenny, Clare Kelly, Pearl Finnerty, Bernie Larkin, Aisling Donnellan, Michelle Leonard, Amy Kelly, Rosa Bleahene, Ellen Bleahene, Linda Nevin, Kiera Dunne, Rachael Larkin.

St Gabriels Junior C Ladies played the third round of their championship on Wednesday 25th of August 2016 in Aughrim pitch at 7.30 p.m. St Gabriels played Carraroe in front of a great crowd on a lovely sunny evening. St Gabriels Bernie Larkin opened the scoring on the score board with a great point and Clare Kelly with the next. Carraroe got a score then and with great goals from Niamh Daly, Niamh Kenny and Clare Kelly the St Gabriels Ladies settled into the game. 

With Carraroe fighting back strongly it was a bit of a test getting to half time as they came back at Gabriels ladies finding the net with three goals before half time and leaving a margin of three points. The half time score was St Gabriels 3g & 8pts to Carraroe 3g & 5pts. A special mention and a Well Done to Rosa Bleahene who was our goalie for the first half. Laura Hession arrived at the turn around and took her rightful position in the second half and gave a great assured performance. 

In the second half Gabriels girls got some well worked scores and went ahead comfortably only for Carraroe to come back to three points again scoring two goals in quick succession. Gabriels girls dug deep and showed their strength of character and spirit as they calmed the situation and went on to win on a scoreline of St Gabriels 4g & 18pts to Carraroe's 5g & 8pts. Carraroe get a second bite of the cherry as they progress to the quarter final and St Gabriels go into semi-final. More details later. 

Outstanding performances from the team with Michaella Dunne and Niamh Daly performing excellently and Clare Kelly rampant with her point taking. Scoring for St Gabriels were Clare "Score Machine" Kelly 1g & 9pts, Bernie Larkin 1pt, Niamh Daly 1g & 1pt, Niamh Kenny 1g & 1pt, Amy Kelly 2pts, Ellen Bleahene 2pts, Aisling Donnellan 3pts, Michaella Dunne 1g. 

Team was: Rosa Bleahene, Niamh Donnellan, Laoise Keane, Jennifer Kelly, Maureen Dolan, Lauren Dolan, Michaella Dunne, Niamh Daly, Pearl Finnerty, Fiona Mitchell, Clare Kelly, Amy Kelly, Aisling Donnellan, Niamh Kenny, Bernie Larkin, . Subs used: Laura Hession, Ellen Bleahene, Donna Martin, Leona Larkin.​

​ST GABRIELS MINOR TEAM had a very good win in their opening championship game in Aughrim on Thursday 11th of August. A result that was never really in doubt saw St Gabriels win on a final scoreline of St Gabriels 7g & 12pts to Annaghdown's 1g & 10pts. St Gabriel's were the better team and played the better football and were worthy winners. St Gabriels Ladies will play Tuam in the Minor Championship final in Aughrim. Date to be fixed soon.

It was a really competitive game despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise as there were some excellent performances from our goalie and Captain Laura Hession and all the girls in the back line who really stuck to their task with some tough tackling as they were were put under fierce pressure all through the match and came out fighting every time with Niamh Kenny helping herself to 2g & 2pts, Niamh Daly a goal and 4 points and Donna Martin getting a couple of opportunistic points also with Michelle Leonard and Lauren Dolan chipping in with a point apiece for themselves also. 

Notable performances from Laoise Keane, Katie Kelly, Niamh Daly, Leah Treacy, Aisling Donnellan who grabbed a hat trick and a point, Pearl Finnerty, Lauren and Maureen Dolan to name just a few, followed by Linda Nevin, Laura Donnellan. Kiera Dunne and Jennifer Kelly it really was an excellent team performance and game of football and the team spirit shone throughout the match.Keep up the performances Ladies as its a strong panel who have a chance of getting silverware this season. 

Scoring for St Gabriels : Donna Martin 2pts, Michelle Leonard 1pt, Lauren Dolan 1pt, Pearl Finnerty 1g, Aisling Donnellan 3g 1pt, Leah Treacy 1pt, Niamh Kenny 2g 2pt, Niamh Daly 1g 4pts. 

Team was : Laura Hession, (C), Katie Kelly, Laoise Keane, Maureen Dolan, Leah Treacy, Kiera Dunne, Lauren Dolan, Niamh Daly, Pearl Finnerty, Aisling Donnellan, Donna Martin, Linda Nevin, Laura Donnellan, Niamh Kenny, Michelle Leonard, Jennifer Kelly.

St Gabriel's Ladies Junior team played Caltra B team in their second championship game on Friday 5th August in Aughrim pitch. A good game of football ensued with St Gabriel's unable to score in the first 8 minutes including a missed penalty and having 5 wides in the opening stages. It wasn't until Niamh Daly opened the scoring with a point that the team settled into a rhythm and St Gabriels girls gave a great display of football till half time. Half time score St Gabriels 3g 7pts to 1pt. 

In the second half Caltra upped their game and were awarded two penalties scoring one of them. St Gabriel's Ladies were worthy winners and the game finished on a scoreline of St Gabriels 5g & 10pts to Caltra's 2g & 5pts. Well done to all. Next Junior championship game is on Wednesday 24th of August in Aughrim pitch at 7.30p.m. We play Carraroe. Keep this date free.

St Gabriels Team was Laura Hession, Niamh Donnellan, Laoise Keane, Jennifer Kelly, Leah Treacy, Michaela Dunne, Maureen Dolan, Niamh Daly, Pearl Finnerty, Aisling Donnellan, Lauren Dolan, Fiona Mitchell, Aine Mitchell, Niamh Kenny, Bernie Larkin. 

Subs used: Amy Kelly, Linda Nevin, Michelle Leonard, Donna Martin.

Scoring for St Gabriels: Niamh Daly 1g & 3pts, Michaela Dunne 1pt, Bernie Larkin 1g & 2pts, Aisling Donnellan 1g & 2pts, Niamh Kenny 1g & 2pts, Lauren Dolan 1g. Referee: Sean Lyons.

​ST GABRIELS Junior Ladies travelled to Oranmore on Wednesday 6th of July to play Oranmore/Maree in the first round of the championship. In very wet conditions St Gabriels girls got off to a great start when Aisling Donnellan got an early goal to put the girls in a confident mood going into the match. Oranmore though came back strongly from this early set back and got into the game after ten minutes and got four goals in quick succession, one a penalty. 

With point taking important St Gabriels were 2g & 6pts to Oranmores 4g & 1pt at half time, still a very tight game. Pearl Finnerty making her debut for St Gabriels Ladies had a great day out playing midfield as she tormented her opponents and contributed greatly all round. Clare Kelly our free taker was on form on the night and scored all the frees that were asked of her. 

In the second half Oranmore looked the stronger team in the opening minutes and went five points ahead but the team didn't panic as with a well taken goal from Niamh Kenny and some great points by Clare Kelly St Gabriels levelled the game with just eight minutes to go showing guts and determination from this group of players when the going gets tough. 

The introduction of Rosa and Ellen Bleahene proved fruitful at this stage and they helped get Gabriels girls over the line with Rosa helping in the backs and Ellen in the forwards. Oranmore had a last minute free and thankfully the backs and goalie saved the day with a great save to give us a win. Fiona Mitchell, Niamh Donnellan, Laura Hession, Jennifer Kelly and Leah Treacy worked tirelessly during the game to get the win. Well done to all the girls in the team and panel on the night and Well Done to Linda Nevin who also came on as it was her first run out with St Gabriels Ladies also. Great team work and support on the night.

Thanks to Oranmore/Maree for the sporting game and to referee Tom Browne.

Final Score; St Gabriels 3g 13pts to Oranmore/Maree 5g 5pts. 

Well done Robbie and Gerry and Hannah. Keep it going. Next game is at home in end of July. More details later. 

Team was as follows - Laura Hession, Aine Mitchell, Jennifer Kelly, Laoise Keane, Leah Treacy, Maureen Dolan, Machella Dunne, Leah Treacy, Fiona Mitchell. Niamh Donnellan, Pearl Finnerty, Aisling Donnellan, Clare Kelly, Michelle Leonard, Amy Kelly. Subs used; Donna Martin, Ellen and Rosa Bleahene, Linda Nevin. Scoring for St Gabriels was Clare Kelly, 6pts, Niamh Donnellan 2pt, Aisling Donnellan 1g & 1pt, Niamh Kenny 2g & 2g, Ellen Bleahene 1pt.

St Gabriels Ladies played Ballinasloe in their last league game on Sunday 24th of May in Ballinasloe pitch, with the weather excellent for football the girls and the management team looked forward to this match against their local rivals with relish. Turn out for this match was excellent also with manager Gerry going to have selection problems in a nice way with twenty one (21) Gabriels Ladies arriving for this game. Indeed its a testament to Gerry and their trainer Robbie Keane who has these girls hungry to play for Gabriels, with four girls missing due to exams and injury on the day there will be selection problems with such a large panel going forward!

From the throw in Gabriels Ladies were the better team on the day and gave a great display of expansive football with Niamh Daly and Clare Kelly running the show from the centre of the park and running wild giving the Ballinasloe midfield a lot of problems. Fiona Mitchell on the left was tough in gaining possession leaving the backs to run up field to contribute to an all round team performance. We even saw Laura Hession come outfield to stretch her legs and to give a terribly convincing cameo of a ball winning footballer, not just a goalkeeper Laura, watch out Galway Ladies you have competition. Niamh Kenny never stopped tackling and with an energetic Amy Kelly always willing to take possession and play the ball out to team mates it was a good all round team performance which everyone who played should be pleased with and sets us up for the Championship to come. Thank you to a young Ballinasloe side for the game. Well done to all management and the girls, Keep up the good work. Great team performance. Championship starts in July. Training continues on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Aughrim 24th May. 

Scoring for St Gabriels ; Clare Kelly 2g 4pts , Niamh Daly 4 goals 2pts, Aine Mitchell 1goal, Fiona Mitchell 1pt, Niamh Kenny 3pts, Amy Kelly 1pt

ST GABRIELS U14's played their first U14 league game of 2016 in Aughrim pitch on Tuesday 16th of May against Ballinasloe. 

Thanks to FAS for the great condition of the pitch. 

On a lovely sunny evening St Gabriel's Ladies got off to a great start with Rosa and Ellen Bleahene performing excellently and getting two great points followed by more of the same throughout the game. Outstanding performances from the two girls and an indication of why these girls are on the county team. Abbey Brogan scored a great point from a free to help the team get over the line in this match. St Gabriels Ladies played with only twelve girls with two girls unable to attend and some injuries on the day which just shows you how strong this team will be when at full strength. 

The Cunningham twins Katlin and Sophie worked their socks off and Rachael Larkin worked really hard and helped keep Ballinasloe to 2pts to St Gabriels 2g 5pts at half time.

In the second half Ballinasloe upped their game and scored two great goals but while they piled on the pressure Katie Malone helped save the day on numerous occasions winning lots of ball and developing play around the field with a winning performance. A penalty was awarded during the game to Ballinasloe and Ellen Bleahene stepped up to the plate and saved it for St Gabriels! 

With a fluid goalkeeping position in the game Abbey Brogan helped out also between the sticks for a period of time and had a magnificent save at a vital stage in the game. Well done Abby. Also appreciated on the day with their sheer work rate and willingness to run til the end were Moya Doherty, Aisling Dolan, Aoife Garvey, Aideen Monaghan & Aoife Keighrey these girls really upped their games today. Well done on a great win girls. Next game is at home to Annaghdown. Well done Aine Mitchell and Niamh Donnellan on your work with these girls and on a great inspired team performance. Keep up the good work.

Scoring for St Gabriels ; Ellen Bleahene 3g 3pts, Rosa Bleahene 1g 3pts, Rachael Larkin 1pt, Abby Brogan 1pt, Team was: Rosa and Ellen Bleahene, Rachael Larkin, Katlin and Sophie Cunningham, Moya Doherty, Abby Brogan, Aisling Dolan, Aoife Keighrey, Aoife Garvey, Katie Malone, Aideen Monaghan

​St Gabriels Ladies footballers played Michael Breathnachs in Aughrim pitch this sunny evening on Saturday 14th of May in a league game. 

St Gabriels got off to a dream start going a goal and a point up to no score to Michael Breathnachs with the busy Niamh Daly scoring the point and Clare Kelly scoring a lovely well worked goal. Michael Breathnachs answered that with three unanswered points and went on to take the lead by 11pts to St Gabriels Ladies 1g and 5pts going into the half time break. Having a busy game were the backs and our Goalie with the whole defensive group of Laura Hession, Laoise Keane, Jennifer Kelly and Maureen Dolan all performing well.

They came under great pressure in the second half and fought valiantly to stem the visitors, Fiona and Aine Mitchell both put in a full shift in the game with great work rate between the two. An excellent and tireless show from the whole team, Well Done to Niamh Daly, Michaela Dunne, Clare Kelly, Niamh Kenny and Lauren Dolan who gave stand out performances, they continued to put Michael Breathnachs under pressure despite being under pressure themselves but the visitors finished stronger and the final score was St Gabriels 3g & 7pts to Michael Breathnachs 1g & 20pts.

Congrats to Michael Breathnachs for a very entertaining game. Well done to our young players on this team effort, great work from Amy Kelly on her first Junior game and we think that is the first time Clare, Jennifer and Amy the three Kelly sisters have played a game together. Thank You girls on a great performance. We play our three championship matches in June and July with Oranmore/Maree in the first game away in Oranmore. Everyone is needed at Junior, Minor, U16 training tuesday evening in Aughrim pitch at 7p.m. Come on girls enjoy the football.

Scoring for St Gabriels. Niamh Daly 1g 2pts, Clare Kelly 2g 1pt, Amy Kelly 1pt, Niamh Kenny 1pt, Michelle Leonard 1pt, Bernie Larkin 1pt, 

DIVISION 3 SHIELD LEAGUE FINAL (venue Killannin) 

St Gabriels U16 girls won the Shield League Final defeating Grainne Mhaols in a great game of football on Saturday 30th of April with the Final Score being St Gabriels 3g & 8pts to Grainne Mhaols 1g & 10pts. 

St Gabriels U16 ladies travelled to Killanin last Saturday to play the shield final and with the Killanin pitch looking splendid in the sunshine an excellent game of football ensued! After a delayed start due to human error!!! the game kicked off at 3 pm and not the advertised 2pm. St Gabriels energetic Eva Sinclair got the first score on the board with a point and followed that by a sublime goal from her in the early stages of the first half to put us into a nice lead, but Grainne Mhaols scored three great points before half time to even up the score at 1g & 4pts to St Gabriels and Grainne Mhaols 7pts.

Rosa Bleahene still fresh from her exertions with the County girls the previous night was picking off some great points also. In the early stages of the second half with our two substitutions working a dream Aisling Dolan punched a ball to the back of the net and Sophie Cunningham got an excellent goal which gave us a comfortable lead giving the whole team a further boost and confidence going into the latter stages of the match. Grainne Mhaols did come back into the game and scored a goal but St Gabriels Girls had a strong finish and great work rate from our panel of players from our goalie to number 20 made sure of a sweet St Gabriels victory.
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Paul Gannon County Chairman of Galway Ladies Football presented the Plaque to our very proud Captain Leah Treacy and the girls had refreshments on route home to cap of a great day out which was had by all. A lot of notable performances from a very talented panel of sportswomen with Laoise Keane, Leona Larkin, Leah Manning, Katie Kelly, Ellen and Rosa Bleahene, Leah Treacy, Niamh Kenny, Rachael Larkin and Aisling Donnellan, Amy Kelly, Donna Martin, Leah Delaney & Eva Sinclair all giving inspiring contributions on the day. Well done girls on a great team performance. 

Scoring for St Gabriels were Amy Kelly 1pt, Rosa Bleahene 4pts, Aisling Donnellan 1pt, Aisling Dolan 1g, Sophie Cunningham 1g, Eva Sinclair 1g & 2pts,
Well done to Robbie Keane, Manager and Brid Donnellan Mentor and Gerry Mannion and panel of players. 

Team was; Ellen Bleahene, Leah Manning, Laoise Keane, Katie Kelly, Leah Treacy, Leona Larkin, Aisling Donnellan, Rachael Larkin, Rosa Bleahen, Amy Kelly, Niamh Kenny, Leah Delaney, Eva Sinclair, Donna Martin, Subs used were Katlin and Sophie Cunningham, Aisling Dolan, Linda Nevin.

St Gabriels U16 team played their first league game of 2016 in Aughrim pitch on Saturday 19th of March with Robbie Keane as Manager. St Gabriels ladies had a great start and went 3 points ahead only for Glenamaddy/Williamstown to then lead by a point by scoring a goal and a point in quick succession. The half time score was St Gabriels 5pts to Glenamaddy/Williamstown 1g & 3pts.

St Gabriels Ladies faced into the second half with renewed vigour and a great individual bit of skill saw a terrific goal from Rachael Larkin which continued and saw the girls give a battling display in the game. Despite the great team performance St Gabriels Ladies were unlucky not to level game. A great game of football to start the league off. Final Score St Gabriels 1g & 7pts Glenamaddy/Williamstown 1g & 8pts.

Well done girls next up is Mountbellew/Moylough at home this St Patricks weekend.
Scoring for St Gabriels: Aoife Cunningham 1pt, Rosa Bleahene 2pt , Aisling Donnellan 1pt, Amy Kelly 2pt, Donna Martin 1pt, Rachael Larkin 1g.

Team was: Ellen Bleahene, Laoise Keane, Sophie Cunningham, Sophie Cunningham, Aisling Donnellan, Leona Larkin, Leah Treacy, Donna Martin, Katie Kelly, Amy Kelly, Leah Manning, Kiera Dunne, Rosa Bleahene, Aoife Cunningham, Niamh Kenny.