Ladies Football Go-Ahead Adult League Division 4

Wednesday 14th July 2021

Ballyboden St Endas 2:07  Naomh Olaf 1:09

Ballyboden Ladies B renewed their rivalry with Olafs in a Division 4 League fixture on the Prunty pitch last Wednesday evening, just weeks after losing out to the same opposition in the Cup. The task was made all the more daunting by the loss of key players to injury and work commitments, so we were definitely going into the game as underdogs!

Our fears were realised when Olafs rattled off some early points, but resolute defending from goalkeeper Danielle and all 6 defenders ensured no goals were conceded. Olafs were the better team in the first half and had scored 7 points by half time. Despite many missed opportunities, Boden remained in contention thanks to a goal from our full forward Orlaith and a free converted by Áine.

A determined Boden team started the second half brightly, with points from Orlaith (3) and Áine (2). Olafs continued to press but our defence, who had all played well in the first half took defending to a new level with terrific work rate and with regular turnovers the game turned in Boden’s favour when a shot from substitute Rebecca Foley ended up in the back of the net. Rebecca, who was making her debut for Boden, followed up with what proved to be the winning point for Boden.

This writer has been involved as a mentor in Ballyboden now for 20 years with multiple teams and can honestly say that the work rate and never say die attitude of this team is the best he has ever seen. This was typified by the player of the match performance of Laura Basquel who won many of Boden’s kick outs, tackled and consistently won turnovers and had to get treatment at the end of the game for what looked like utter exhaustion.

All eighteen team members contributed to this win but special mention to Una, Rachel, Cathy, Elizabeth, Orlaith and Áine.

Thanks to Miriam Christie who as well as taking photos of the game helped with First Aid. For more photos, see here

Best wishes to Elizabeth who suffered a knee injury towards the end of the game.

Team: Danielle Aylmer, Rachel Basquel, Cliondha O’Sullivan, Kristine McGinn, Erin Christie, Una McGinn (Captain), Kelly Whelan, Aisling McElvanney, Laura Basquel, Elizabeth Manning, Cathy O’Neill, Megan Conway, Áine Duffy (0 3), Orlaith Keane(1 03), Eva Cunningham. Subs: Anna Nolan, Sinead Crowley, Rebecca Foley (1 01)