ILLISTRIN CLAIMED the Donegal Women’s League U16 title last week for their first piece of silverware at this grade.
UNDER-16
Illistrin FC 5 Finn Valley 0
The Illistrin FC U16 girls team claimed their first ever U16 title last week with a comprehensive victory over a determined and youthful Finn Valley team in excellent conditions at the Illistrin pitch.
They controlled the game from start to finish with some neat football but credit to Finn Valley who defended superbly and were a threat on the break.
After a couple of good efforts it was influential midfielder Aislinn Coll who broke the deadlock with a fine strike after some good work by Ciara Doherty and Sophie Curran up the left. Indeed Coll swung in a great corner shortly after and Jade Stewart bravely headed to the top corner of the net to make it two-nil.
Emma Conaghan in the Finn Valley nets was having a great game and pulled off some great saves as she denied Coll, Erika Gallagher, Jodie McFadden, and Megan McDaid.
Illistrin welcomed Aibhe McDaid back after a lengthy injury and she performed brilliantly at the back and young keeper Aoibhin Randles did very well when called upon. Darcey Kelly and Emily Irwin were also solid in defence. Sarah McGinley and Nicole McDaid gave the team some new energy in the second half carrying the ball deep into the opposition’s half and these runs were rewarded as Illistrin increased their lead.
Jodie McFadden got in on the act after good work from Rebekah McGlinchey in defence which saw her through ball finding Erika Gallagher who in turn released McFadden. Gallagher got on the score sheet after reacting quickest to Aibhe McDaid’s long range effort. Aislinn Coll concluded the scoring with another great finish after an excellent pass from Aobha Gallagher.
Finn Valley’s Ava Dunnion played well in midfield along with Rachel Lawne and defenders Aine Irwin, Katie Gallagher, and Avelina Ward were excellent in defence. Keeper Emma Conaghan pulled off some brilliant saves throughout the 80 minutes.
Donegal Women’s League member Brid McGinty presented the League trophy after the match to a delighted Illistrin FC captain Orla Corry and her teammates.
Referee: Chrissy McLaughlin
UNDER-14
Illistrin FC 5 Lagan Harps 1
Illistrin FC U14’s advanced to this year’s U14 Terry Leyden Cup Final after a hard fought victory against a youthful but excellent Lagan Harps team. This game was in the balance up to the last ten minutes before the home team pulled away. A great contest from start to finish with some great play by both teams.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when an excellent turn in midfield by Katelyn Doherty saw her feed the ball to Ciara Molloy out wide and her excellent pass found Erika Gallagher. Her great strike found the top corner to make it one nil. Soon after good work by Emily Irwin and Nicole McDaid on the right side ended with the ball falling to Erika Gallagher and again she finished superbly.
Illistrin started the second half brightly but Lagan hit back after good work in midfield by Tanya Gillen released Niamh Ryan and she finished with a great shot. Lagan were well in the game now with Sophie Canning, Alalya Mustapha, and Mia Devenney performing well. Sarah McGinley played a great ball through to Leanne McGettigan and she finished to the bottom corner of the net. Soon after McGettigan turned provider as she squared to Ciara Molloy and she made no mistake from close range.
Great play by Claire Gallagher in midfield as she found Sarah Robinson and she played a great ball across to Ella McDermot, who had made a great run into the box, and she was unlucky not to score. Amy Doherty and Sonia Gallagher did well for Lagan when introduced. Illistrin scored in the last minute when Ciara Molloy’s free kick was well saved by Aoife Sweeney but the rebound came off the post and Aobha Harrigan made no mistake from close range.
UNDER-12
Illistrin 0 Mulroy Academy 3
Mulroy Academy put in an impressive performance against Illistrin on Monday. The Mulroy girls were in fighting form from the get go with Caoimhe Mc Laughlin in particular playing great football. Ella Martin was in fine attacking form up front but it was Lucy McGonagle who was first to see her name on the scoresheet. After a fine pass in from Maeve Sweeney, Lucy didn’t hesitate to take the ball and put it in the bottom corner of the net.
Defenders Kaylagh Sweeney, Caoimhe Friel, Leah Roche and Blathnaid Mc Ateer stood strong throughout leaving goalkeeper Mary Bridget Mc Geever to have a relatively quiet match. Maeve Sweeney scored Mulroy’s second goal leaving the visitors in a strong position at halftime.
In the second half, the Mulroy girls continued to dominate with Katie Shovelin, Laragh Blaney, Lucy Mc Gonagle and Caoimhe Mc Laughlin working hard in midfield. Up front Katie Gallagher and Gemma Mc Gonagle put in good performances.
The third Mulroy goal came from Katie Shovelin who saw her chance and took it leaving the final score 3.0 to the visitors. Great performances from all the girls with Caoimhe Mc Laughlin particularly impressive.
Bonagee United 4 Ballyraine 1
On a warm evening in Dry Arch Park both teams were raring to go from the start but it took a while for both teams to settle in and it wasn’t until after the first water break that both teams got a grip on the game.
Bonagee broke the deadlock when Tara McDaid who made a big step up to the U12 team tonight broke through and rifled into the bottom corner. Six minutes later, Bonagee went two up when Ellen Temple got her name on the scoresheet.
Bonagee’s debutant McDaid again came close just before half-time when she hit the post. The second half saw Ballyraine create a few chances and on the 37th minute Sarah McCarron went on a mazy run and slotted it past the Bonagee goalkeeper.
Ellen Temple responded three minutes later when she got her second of the night and followed up with two more close attempts in quick succession as she went in search of her hattrick. Tara Mc Daid came back on after a deserved break and quickly got her second.
Both teams battled well through the heat in what was an entertaining game of football.
