2020/21 MATCH REPORTS

JUNIORS RETAIN 'A' STATUS

 In glorious sunshine this evening in Killererin pitch in Barnaderg St Gabriel’s Junior 'A' Ladies had a hard fought win with St Marys ladies.  We led by 5pts to 3pts at half time with our Goalie Sinead Daly making some great saves  throughout the whole game.  Our back line came under great pressure and our ladies never relented in their determination to keep St Marys out. 

With Michaela Dunne having another great performance today and players like Holly Cafferkey stepping up, the game ebbed and flowed in the second half with good possession between the two sides. With the game entering a crucial stage it was St Marys who rallied and got a vital goal leaving only two points between the sides. With this St Gabriel's also upped their performance and with some other notable performances today from Ciara Dunne, Katie Malone & Katlin Cunningham they were able to counter whatever was thrown at them and were sublime to watch as they let their football answer any questions St Mary's launched at them. 

In the final quarter St Gabriel's were now on top but for all their play and opportunities  to score just couldn't convert their chances into points. It was eventually Aliesha Kenny who converted a much needed point to take our points into double figures and more importantly to put us 3 points clear on the scoreboard and to help give us the victory on the day. 

Super performances from Alice and Michelle Callanan, Becky Gilchreest, Aoife Quinn, Aisling Donnellan, Alanah Malone, Rachael Larkin and Sophie Cunningham and especially to our Lady of the Match Michaela Dunne. 

With so many injuries it's testament to the girls on the pitch how they have coped with Gabriel's missing some fine players and pushing on from there. We wish all of the following players speedy recoveries! Katlin Malone, Avril Keane,  Rosa  & Ellen Bleahene, Antionette Cormican, Leona Larkin, Laura Kenny.

Scoring for St Gabriel’s Ladies: 

Aliesha Kenny 2pts, Rachael Larkin 1pt, Holly Cafferkey 1pt, Aisling Donnellan 6pts, 3 frees.  

Thanks to Manager Declan Malone, Mentors: Luke O’Connor, Eoin Ward & David Malone for their dedication to this team all year.  

Thank You to Ballinderry Child Care for sponsoring this team. 

Thanks to everyone for a great performance and retaining our Junior A status today and finally a BIG Thankyou to our opposition today St Marys who battled well and really made us work for our victory today. 

U16'S ARE SHIELD WINNERS

If ever there was a game that embodied the ladies game it was this. Desperate weather conditions didn't seem to dampen the spirit of the two U16 sides who came to play football.

From the throw in both teams showed a determination to weather any storm that was thrown at them. Ladies sport is making the break through and with games like this to the fore then we certainly do have a sport to rival any.  Throwing in to really atrocious blustery rain in Aughrim the game saw St Gabriels get off to a flying start as they began to dominate possession in the early stages and this showed going into the break  with the home side having a commanding lead  St Gabriel’s Ladies 2g 7pts  to Michael Breathnachs  Ladies 1pt. With a referee who kept the ball moving  as much as possible despite the conditions, the visitors came back into the game with a well taken goal to give them confidence to surge back strongly. St Gabriels reacted well to counter any sweeping moves that endangered their goal and the back line held firm as they matched Micheal Breathnachs stride for stride in the latter stages of the game to win the contest on a scoreline of St Gabriel’s 4g 9pts to Michael Breathnachs 1g 6pts and pick up the trophy emulating our U12's  from last week. 

A fantastic work ethic and a mental toughness was on display on the pitch today in abundance and the age groups managers and mentors can be proud of their work with this group of players. A special mention to the referee, he encouraged those around him and made sure that free flowing football was the order of the day as he gave a display of excellent officiating and common sense as well as also giving a rousing talk at the presentation of the shield. His enthusiasm for the game shone through and his encouragement for both teams was not only heart warming but also stoic in these times of Covid. Our visitors provided brilliant sporting opposition on the day and as the referee said someone had to lose out today but not in any sporting way as they can be very proud of themselves as they made their long journey home.

Well Done to all and congratulate yourselves on the strength that you have all shown to see out an exciting season in these very trying and testing times.

coinnigh láidir agus sábháilte

YOUTHFUL GABRIELS UNLUCKY IN SALTHILL

St Gabriel's Junior A Ladies  bowed out of the Championship semi-final on Saturday 12th of September after their game with Salthill/Knocknacarra in sunny Salthill.  St Gabriel's started the better team with well taken frees by Aisling Donnellan and a great goal by Sophie Cunningham to take the lead going into the first water break with St Gabriels leading 1g 3pts to Salthill/Knocknacarra's 2pts.  

At the resumption Salthill/Knocknacarra settled into the game and came back strongly and it was level at half time.  St Gabriels 1g 4pts,  Salthill/Knocknacarra 7pts.

Salthill upped their performance and scored two goals in quick succession in the second half to put pressure on their visitors leaving Gabriel's ladies 6pts behind them.  St Gabriel's Ladies battled hard to come back within two points but were hit by a sucker punch when a penalty was awarded to Salthill. They scored it as St Gabriels Ladies lost to the better team. Salthill/Knocknacarra will play Naoimh Mhuire in the County Junior A Final next weekend and we wish them Good Luck. 

Despite the loss we saw some excellent performances from our back line as Leona Larkin, Niamh Donnellan and Klara Donohue worked tirelessly in defence.  Catriona Cormican and Aoife Quinn gave star performances on the day showing all their experience and ball handling skill around the pitch and our goalie Laura Hession showed what a good keeper she is moving athletically between the posts when called upon. With Aisling Donnellan's 8 points haul also being no mean feat it really was hard luck ladies as we saw a young St Gabriels Ladies team introduce some fine footballers from the Minor & U16's this year and they performed like they were regular selections for this side. The future really is bright for St Gabriels and these young players. 

Final score; St Gabriels 1g 10pts to Salthill/Knocknacarra 3g 9pts.  

Scoring for St Gabriels ;  Sophie Cunningham 1g, Rosa Bleahene 2pts, Aisling Donnellan 8pts. 

Thanks to Declan Malone who was team physio on the day. Best wishes to Antoinete Cormican who was injured for our game. We wish her a speedy recovery.  Thanks to Manager Gerard Donnellan, Mentors, Martin Costello, Kieran Mannion, Brian Lohan, Paula Larkin for their work all year with this team.  

St Gabriels Team sheet - Junior A County Semi Final 12-Sept-2020

St Gabriels vs Salthill Knocknacarra

Laura Hession 1

Caitriona Cormican 2

Emma Reynolds 3

Leona Larkin 4

Caitlin Cunningham 5

Katie Malone 6

Rachel Larkin 7

Alice Callanan 8

Aoife Quinn 9

Laura Creavan 10

Aisling Donnellan 11

Caitlin Malone 12

Sophie Cunningham 13

Niamh Daly 14

Rosa Bleahene 15

Aoife Keighrey 16

Ellen Bleahene 17

Avril Lohan 18

Klara Donohue 19

Niamh Donnellan 20

Sharon Lee 21

Megan Monaghan 22

Pearl Finnerty 23

Aoife Curly 24

Michaella Dunne 25

Antoinette Cormican 26

Laura Kenny 27

Michelle Callanan 28

Allie Glennon 29

Caoimhe Garvey 30

Manager: Gerard Donnellan

Mentors: Martin Costello, Ciaran Mannion, Brian

Lohan, Brid Donnellan, Paula Larkin.