Ballymackey welcomed Lough Derg to a breezy Ballinree for a 12.15pm kick off. Both sides just managed to field the requisite 9 players which meant a full hour of game time for all the girls involved. Ballymackey made their now customary slow start at this level. Playing against the wind in the first half the home side were behind after 2 minutes. Alannah O'Dwyer then scored a quite bizarre own goal which ended up in the back of the net to make it 0-2 to Lough Derg after only 4 minutes.

Then Ballymackey decided to play football. Putting the calamities to the back of their minds Alannah went on to have a terrific game at left back. Lisa Fitzgerald who was a late addition to the starting line up was solid at right back and player of the match Jenna Hackett completed the back three at had one of the best defensive performances it has ever been my pleasure to witness.

Of course goals win matches and with the defense shored up it fell to the midfield and strikers to play their parts. Quick thinking on an indirect free kick saw Sadhb Connolly set up Mioda O'Shea to finish smartly and get the come back started in the 14th minute. The sides were level in the 20th minute as Sadhb turned scorer this time closing the centre back down well. Ballymackey went in ahead at half time as Sadhb scored again in the 29th minute finishing with her left foot after the keeper saved her initial effort.

Playing with the breeze for the second half it was all Ballymackey as they pressed home their advantage. Sadhb scored again to complete her hat trick after 7 minutes of the restart. Brilliant work on the right hand side by Grace Quinn lead to consecutive corners which allowed Aisling Kennedy to earn a richly deserved goal in the 16th minute to make it 5-2. Mioda O'Shea playing with the iconic no.7 on her back deserved to increase the lead as the visiting keeper made some good saves and the frame of the goal denied her.

The scoring was completed just before the final whistle as Ella Frend who ran Jenna very close for the player of the match accolade finished well cutting in from the right hand side.

It was a brilliant performance by all 9 girls and a thoroughly deserved victory.

[14:36, 3/7/2020] Kieran O Rourke: Full squad: Ava O'Rourke in goal. Lisa Fitzgerald, Jenna Hackett, Alannah O'Dwyer, Grace Quinn, Aisling Kennedy, Mioda O'Shea (capt), Ella Frend and Sadhb Connolly.