Ladies victorious over Clane
Ladies victorious over Clane
July 16, 2008
NAAS 2-7 CLANE 1-5
In the 2nd round of Div 2 league playoffs, Naas ladies were up against Clane. Clane had scored a comprehensive victory over Naas in round 2 of the league, so the “re-match” was something that the Naas team were looking forward to.
Naas opened the scoring with a fine effort from Lisa Higgins after some great support play from the Trant sisters, Aofie at center back and Fiona at midfield.
Clane replied quickly with a move up through the field that showed both pace and power, and finished with a well taken score from their full forward. With a string breeze blowing into the Naas goal, the home side were always likely to be doing their share of defending in the first half. Clare Walsh had a tremendous game in the right corner during that half repeatedly clearing balls down her wing. Liz Graham was also on top in the left corner.
Up front, the attack were having to work hard for everything, but another sweeping move. starting from midfield with Mary Ambrose, moving through Caroline Hill, and Clionadh McSweeney, saw Dairine Hoban taken the final pass to rifle over a great point.
The Naas half back line of Hilary Piggot, Aoife Trant, and Kathrine Doyle were now really coming into their own, and with Fiona Trant and Mary Ambrose closing down the midfield area, Naas were more than holding their own in the first half. Rosin Conran worked the left wing tirelessly throughout, and was always available in the first half as an outlet for the defence. Rosin was unlucky to have a fine goal effort saved in that first half. Sarah Callinan shot narrowly wide, having taken up a great position to get on the end of a sprinting solo run from Lisa Higgins. Lisa Higgins completed the first half scoring with another well taken point.
In the second half, the intensity of the game stepped up a notch as both sides went for the win. Sarah Gormley was really vigilant throughout in the Naas goal, and her calmness and distribution were key to setting up many Naas attacks. Janet Noone was now commanding her area at full back. Clane kicked an excellent point early on, but this was matched by the score of the match shortly after. Lisa Higgins took a pass out of defence from Hilary Piggot and from forty yards out on the right wing sailed the ball over the bar. Naas were now starting to open up the Clane defence. Clionadh McSweeney came from deep to collect a number of passes, and with both wings, Caroline Hill, and Rosin Conran now moving at pace, Clane were in trouble.
On one of these defence splitting moves, Sarah Callinan was on hand to net the first of her two second half goals. A further point from a free pushed Naas further in front. Clane responded with a couple of points to keep the tie very much alive, but three balls in a row won by the half back line, where they had to put their bodies on the line to win possession turned the game for Naas. On one of these, Fiona Trant moved the ball quickly to Clionadh, who transferred it to Lisa. One more pass on to Sarah and the ball was in the back of the Clane net. Ailbhe Enrigth came on in defence for Naas and added some real pace in that sector to help the tired legs there. Ailbhe quickly got into the play moving the ball down the left wing, where Dairine Hoban used her pace to get out in front for the pass. The ball was moved through Roisin Conran to Sarah Callinan for another point. Clane to their credit did not give up and a tremendous drive through the field ended in a well taken goal, which just narrowly beat Sarah Gormley.
Naas were not going to let this one slip, and with Mary Ambrose and Aoife Trant closing any route up the middle there was no way back for Clane.
The game finished on a scoreline of Naas 2-7 Clane 1-5. These two teams could possibly meet in the Div 2 final. If that happens, what a game will be in store!
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