ST GABRIELS LADIES HISTORY 2018

St Gabriel's Junior B team defeated Glinsk in their championship final on Saturday 13th October 2018, a year after picking up the Junior C cup. In very wet conditions St Gabriels started the better team with a great goal from Ciara Lohan in the opening minutes of the game with St Gabriel's ladies going 1g & 4pts to Glinsk’s 1pt in the first quarter of the game.

Glinsk were awarded a penalty and were then allowed to re take it after Laura Hession our goalie saved it only for them to score from the second chance. Laura made vital saves during the game to keep Glinsk at bay and with St Gabriel's being awarded and missing two penalties during the game her interceptions were vital in goal. St Gabriels Ladies took some good scores to keep the score board ticking over with Niamh Daly, Catriona Cormican and Aisling Donnellan all having a great day out. Glinsk rallied and scored a goal in the closing minutes of first half leaving the score at half time St Gabriels 1g & 8pts to Glinsk's 2g & 3pts.

In the second half St Gabriel's upped their game and really kept the pressure on their opponents with Gabriels Ladies scoring 2g & 8pts in the second half to Glinsk’s solitary point. Catriona Cormican showed her worth at every opportunity and scored 6pts during the game. Her sister and Captain Antoinette had a terrific game and delivered vital ball to the forward line constantly. Aisling Donnellan scored 1g & 5pts on the day as her performance was worthy of such a final and with Ellen and Rosa Bleahene working hard contributing two points each this was as much a team performance as the points flowed. 

The Finnerty sisters were a force to be reckoned with as Pearl scored a magnificent goal and it was perhaps unfortunate that she had to leave the field of play as she picked up a leg injury during the game, best wishes to her. Grace Finnerty held the back line well with Niamh Donnellan and Laura Donnellan who showed strength and guile in their defensive duties. Leona and Rachael Larkin both had great gamesand helped the backs keep Glinsk out when they came at us in the last quarter. Emma Reynolds who came onto the pitch was a super sub who joined proceedings effortlessly and had a super game. Rachael Byrnes and Laura Creaven contributed with their passing and kicking also as they stepped up to the plate as St Gabriel's pulled away.

With our subs Amy Kelly, Caoimhe Garvey and Eva Sinclair helping out from the bench to get us to the finish line the team showed how united they were as they won in emphatic style. Well done girls, great win. St Gabriel's Ladies GAA club are super proud of you all. Well done Manager Gerard Donnellan, Mentors: Della Finnerty, Martin Costello, Damien Finn and Conor Delaney and a special mention to Declan Malone who was club physio on the day. Best of luck in Junior A next year.

Our very proud St Gabriels Ladies Captain Antoinette Cormican received the trophy from P.R.O. from County Board John McDermott to great applause. Well Done also to St Gabriels Ladies Aisling Donnellan who received the Player of the Match Award after the game in recognition of her fantastic play and her scoring 1g & 5pts in the final.

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Interesting fact- The team boasts no less than five sets of sisters namely the Donnellan’s, Cormican’s, Finnerty’s, Larkins and the Bleahenes. Great team performance today ladies.

Players and Management Team-

Becky Kilchreest, Leah Treacy, Rachael Larkin, Lauren Dolan, Emma Reynolds, Laura Hession, Pearl Finnerty, Rosa Bleahene, Linda Nevin, Leona Larkin, Rachael Byrnes, Ciara Lohan, Laura Donnellan, Caoimhe Garvey, Laura Creaven, Eva Sinclair, Niamh Donnellan, Amy Kelly, Antoinette Cormican, Leah Manning, Aisling Donnellan, Ellen Bleahene, Grace Finnerty, Catriona Cormican, Niamh Daly.

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Manager Gerard Donnellan, Mentors: Damien Finn, Della Finnerty, Martin Costello and Conor Delaney.

St Gabriels Junior B team played Kilconly in their championship game in Kilconly on Sunday over the weekend. A blustery day made the job in hand more difficult and Kilconly having the wind direction advantage in the first half were on the front foot early on. An excellent St Gabriels Laura Hession made a great save in the opening minutes of the game but despite this was unable to save a penalty which Kilconly were subsequently awarded and scored shortly afterwards. 

With this marker set down by the home side it wasn't long before St Gabriels began to show their worth as Aisling Donnellan opened St Gabriels Ladies account with a point quickly followed by Rosa Bleahene, Ellen Bleahene, Laura Creaven and a goal and a point from Catriona Cormican following on to show a resilience and fighting spirit from the team after the very early set back. With Niamh Daly having a huge influence on proceedings on the pitch the first half ended with Gabriels in the ascendancy. The half time score St Gabriels Ladies 1g & 5pts to Kilconly 1g & 1pt.

St Gabriels Ladies played some excellent football in the second half with St Gabriels Niamh Daly quickest off the blocks as the half got underway scoring a trademark opportunistic point in the opening minutes of the second half and grabbing a second point minutes later. Once again St Gabriels overall teamwork on the pitch made for some good scores as Grace and Pearl Finnerty asked the opposition's defence a lot of questions on the day and it was everyone playing their part that contributed to this win as they held Kilconly scoreless in the second half with Catriona Cormican once again adding to her points tally. Couple this with Laura Creaven's confident and skillful display on the day backed up by the Bleheane sisters Ellan and Rosa you can see many more good days on the horizon for this team. 

With notable performances by Rachael Byrnes, Rachael Larkin, Niamh Daly, Catriona Cormican and Aisling Donnellan as well as the subs Emma Reynolds, Eva Sinclair, Amy Kelly and Caoimhe Garvey when they were called upon this really was an accomplished team showing who got the job done on the day much to the delight of the watching management and supporters alike. With Antoinette Cormican, Ciara Lohan, Niamh Donnellan and Leona Larkin giving their all on the pitch its good to see competition for places will keep this team focused as they prepare for the Final. Well done girls. 

This win secures a place in the Junior B Final. Well done to Manager Gerard Donnellan and Mentors Della Finnerty, Martin Costello and Damien Finn. Best of luck in the final. This really does represent an amazing achievement in reaching the Junior B Final in a year, let us hope that the confidence in this win can be brought to the fore in what is fast becoming yet another memorable year for this side.

Full Time Score St Gabriels 1g & 12pts - 1g & 1pt Kilconly. 

Team was: Laura Hession, Leona Larkin, Niamh Donnellan, Rachael Larkin, Grace Finnerty, Antoinette Cormican, Niamh Daly, Pearl Finnerty, Catriona Cormican, Rachael Byrnes, Laura Creaven, Aisling Donnellan, Rosa Bleahene, Ellen Bleahene, Ciara Lohan, Subs used were Emma Reynolds, Eva Sinclair, Amy Kelly, Caoimhe Garvey.

St Gabriels v Kilanin

Well what can we say other than a well deserved performance against a more physically imposing side saw a St Gabriel’s side gain another trophy in what is fast becoming an excellent season for the club in terms of trophies and competitiveness.

Be in no doubt but this team has really bounced back from its early season beginnings where defeats really did galvanise this team together to make them looking like an accomplished team of footballers that has seen them win two trophies this season and also win some new fans to the cause!

With the Shield safely won already this season, it was now the turn of St Gabriel’s to win their divisional Championship final and win it they did in emphatic style as from the first minute of the throw in the team as a group competed for every ball and in front of a decent crowd they played with style.

This was a game that was about as much defence as getting the scores as Jessica Jarvis gave a supreme performance between the sticks and as this was probably her best game for the club for the keeper she looks like she may flourish in this position in future seasons to come, her kick outs especially eye catching as she contributed to keeping Gabriel’s Ladies supplied with the ball. With Saoirse Conway, Shola Conway and Rachel Malone in the half back line they looked solid defensively with Rachel & Shola tough as nails and Saoirse looking to steal possession at every opportunity which she did.

Full Backs Orla Kenny, Kiera Manning and Lila Larkin were so dominant that the opposition couldn’t build attacks from the start of the game and even when they did set up meaningful scoring opportunities they didn’t take their chances, a lot of this was due to the defence breaking up the Kilannin forward play. These defensive teams where the back bone of the side as they allowed the forwards the confidence to go for goal.

In midfield there was no shortage of options as Sinead Daly who scored a goal and 2 points was full of running as Ribh Fournet stood up to the plate and they were supreme with ball distribution as the half forward line of Aisling Keighrey, Olwyn Kelly (1g & 1pt) and Laura Trappe (2 goals) looked a delight going forward. Up front the forward line of Erin Brogan, Emma Poland (3g & 1 pt) and Carla Hyde kept the Kilannin defence guessing as to where the next attack was coming, indeed the first half was all St Gabriel’s despite a gallant Killannin trying to muster attacks. Emma was able to pop up anywhere on the pitch as she was given a free roaming roll which gave her the opportunity of scores.

With options coming from the bench the let up in the second half wasn’t going to diminish as it progressed and it really is a credit to Kilannin as they kept the second half of the match to a draw between the teams. With Caoimhe Dunne performing well and Abby O’Connor who despite carrying an injury gave her all to keep the momentum going for the ‘Girls in Green’, as they both pushed the Ladies over the line to victory.

Final Score St Gabriels 7g & 4pts – 4pts Kilannin

Scorers - emma poland 3g-1pt, laura trappe 2g, sinead daly 1g-2pts, olwyn kelly 1g-1pt 

St Gabriels Junior B Ladies had a fantastic win in the second round of the championship and in their first game of the season. In Aughrim pitch on Friday 31st of August a large crowd of supporters attended where St Gabriels had a good start and by half time were 1g & 5pts to St Furseys 1pt.

A goal from Amy Kelly settled the team amid some excellent passages of play and saves by Laura Hession our goalie kept the momentum going for the team. In the second half St Gabriel's were the better team and the team worked hard to get some great scores.

The final score did not reflect the game and St Furseys girls defended very well in the first half and thanks to them for a sporting game. Strong performances from St Gabriel's Niamh Daly, Aisling Donnellan, Catriona Cormican and Laura Creaven.

Final Score was St Gabriels 4g & 12pts to St Furseys 2pts.

Scoring for St Gabriels Ladies were; Niamh Daly 2pts, Laura Creaven 2pts, Catriona Cormican 2g & 2pts, Antoinette Cormican 3pts, Amy Kelly 1g, Aisling Donnellan 1g & 3pts. 

The Team was: Laura Hession, Rachael Larkin, Niamh Donnellan, Leona Larkin, Grace Finnerty, Lauren Dolan, Rachael Byrnes, Aisling Donnellan, Catriona Cormican, Niamh Daly, Antoinette Cormican, Ciara Lohan, Eva Sinclair, Pearl Finnerty, Laura Creaven. Subs: Amy Kelly, Klara Donoghue, Linda Nevin, Laura Donnellan, Caoimhe Garvey.

Manager: Gerard Donnellan, Mentors: Della Finnerty, Martin Costello, Damien Finn.

St Gabriels 6g-2pts to Loughrea B 3g-5pts 

An amazing game of football that saw a real team effort from keeper to backs through midfield to the forwards with each player really putting in a shift to win this game. It was a very trying game with the very wet weather making for a greasy ball but the girls coped brilliantly well despite the conditions at St Brendans pitch in Loughrea.

With Joint captains on the night in Kiera Manning and Abby O'Connor marshaling the midfield they really took to their tasks and never stopped playing all match. With solid defensive work from the Backs Orla kenny and Rachel Malone it was Sinead Daly whom benefited being given licence to maraud up front and apply whatever pressure she could to the Loughrea defence and this she did relishing the task that brought a hat trick of goals and a point to set Gabriels on the road to victory.

Shola Cleary stopped everything that Loughrea could send into midfield playing like a rock in the game and Ribh Fournets energy levels didn't abate as her never say die spirit seemed to lift all around her in midfield with Laura Trappe energetic, tough and busy and Saoirse Conway playing her best game ever. With the team four points clear at half time Aisling Keighreys distribution with the ball was excellent and integral to Gabriels attacking play and playing style.

With Loughrea restricted to getting scores from free's through the game it was a real team effort that saw Jessica Jarvis make two superb saves to keep Gabriel's in touch in the match and even when Loughrea scored two quick fire goals after half time to go 2 points ahead it was all to play for even in the last five minutes as the game could have gone either way but with goals from Emma Poland (who ran her socks off), Erin Brogan, Emma Poland, Laura Trappe and the supreme Sinead Daly and a point from Caoimhe Dunne to set Gabriels on their way it was Gabriel's Ladies who ran out the winners in a highly competitive game and exciting match.

Team was - Jessica Jarvis, Shola Cleary, Ribh Fournet, Laura Trappe, Saoirse Conway, Sinead Daly, Emma Poland, Erin Brogan, Caoimhe Dunne, Orla Kenny, Rachel Malone, Kiera Manning, Abby O'Connor, Aisling Keighrey.

​Scoring- sinead Daly 3g &1pt, Emma Poland 1g, Erin Brogan 1g, Laura Trappe 1g, Caoimhe Dunne 1 pt.

St Gabriels Ladies Minor football team booked a place in the Minor B Cup championship final when they defeated Menlough/Skehanagh in the semi-final on 28/8/18 in Aughrim pitch at 7p.m. St Gabriels girls had a good start and were 1g and 2pts up to no score for Menlough in the opening minutes. A fantastic goal by Sophie Cuuningham and well taken points by Rosa and Ellen Bleahene settled the team down. Menlough/Skehana came back into the game and put the pressure on and at half time the score was St Gabriels Ladies 3g & 6pts to Menlough/Skehanagh 2g & 6pts. 

Some great saves made by our Goalie Aoife Keighery kept us in the clear leading up to half time. In the second half Menlough/Skehanagh came back strongly and went ahead by three points. St Gabriels had a purple patch in then second half and scored three goals in a short period to give them a nice lead after that initial spurt by Menlough/Skehanagh. There were some sublime goals from Pearl Finnerty and Rosa Bleahene as once again Menlough fought back and with two penalties awarded to them in the second half and one in the first half a great battle to the finish line ensued.

St Gabriels made it over the line on a score line of St Gabriels 8g & 10pts to Menlough/Skehanagh 8g & 8pts. Well done girls on a great win. Great performances from Rachael and Leona Larkin, Aisling Donnellan, Emma Reynolds and Leah Treacy. Star performances from Ellen and Rosa Bleahene and Pearl Finnerty. Best of luck in Minor championship final girls and Management.

Scoring for St Gabriels Ladies were; Ellen Bleahene: 1g 4pts, Rosa Bleahene:3g 3pts, Aisling Donnellan 1pt, Pearl Finnerty, 1g, Emma Reynolds 1g 1pt, Sophie Cunningham 1g. 

TEAM WAS: Aoife Keighery, Laoise Keane, Leahy Treacy, Leona Larkin, Rachael Larkin, Pearl Finnerty, Emma Reynolds, Aisling Donnellan, Laura Donnellan, Sophie Cunningham, Eva Sinclair. Rosa and Ellen Bleahene. Subs; Linda Nevin, and Aideen Monaghan.

An understrength St Gabriels U16 team were defeated by Glenamaddy/Williamstown in their shield semi-final this evening in Aughrim pitch despite a much improved showing in the second half. Glenamaddy with the aid of a strong breeze played the better football in the first half and were 5g & 9pts to Gabriels 1g & 3pts at half time. St Gabriels girls upped their performance in the second half and gave a better game to Glenamaddy/Williamstown.

Final score: St Gabriels 7g & 6pts to 6g & 16pts. St Gabriels U16 team were depleted in numbers this evening. Huge credit to the girls for fulfilling the fixture and giving a good performance. 

Thanks to Glenamaddy/Williamstown for a sporting game.

St Gabriels Ladies had a great win in their first round of the Minor championship in Caherlistrane on Tuesday evening last. The Gabriels Ladies with the help of the strong breeze blowing got a great start and were 1g & 7pts to no score in the opening ten minutes. Ellen and Rosa Bleahene scoring points and Rosa later finding the back of the net. Caherlistrane Ladies settled and scored 2g & 1pt unanswered. St Gabriels Aisling Donnellan and Ellen Bleahene then got goals apiece to give the team a bit of a lead at half time.

Half time score was St Gabriels Ladies 3g & 7pts to Caherlistrane 2g & 3pts.

In the second half Caherlistrane with the aid of the breeze came storming back scoring 2g & 1pt unanswered again on Gabriels Ladies. Gabriel's Goalie Aoife Keighery constantly came under pressure but pulled of some great saves and had a great game. Leona and Rachael Larkin and Laoise Keane battled till the end to keep Gabriel's in the picture at the end. Laura Donnellan and Linda Nevin worked tirelessly during the game. The Gabriels ladies rallied and with nine minutes to go and the sides level Ellen Bleahene was awarded a penalty and she duly put it to the back of the net.

Pearl Finnerty then scored two great goals and with a great point from Leona Larkin this put Gabriels Ladies on a finishing scoreline of St Gabriels Ladies 6g & 9pts to 4g & 6pts. Well done to our U16 girls on the team Sophie Cunningham, Katlin Cunningham, Aisling Dolan, Aoife Keighrey, Rachael Larkin, Ellen and Rosa Bleahene, who had played their own championship game Monday evening. Great performances from Amy Kelly, Leona and Rachael Larkin, Aisling Donnellan, Pearl Finnerty, Eva Sinclair, Ellen and Rosa Bleahene. Well done to Gerard Donnellan and Della Finnerty for Managing the girls on the evening.

Scoring for Gabriels : Aisling Donnellan 1g, Pearl Finnerty 2g, Leona Larkin 1pt, Ellen Bleahene 2g 3pts, Eva Sinclair 1pt, Rosa Bleahene 1g 4pts. 

Thanks to Caherlistrane for the very sporting game. 

St Gabriels Ladies play the winners of Glenamaddy/Williamstown v Menlough in next round of championship.