U11 Girls V BT Harps

Our U11 girls were at home to Bt Harps this morning in Ballinree. This game was played on the astro in very tough conditions. With a strong wind blowing up the pitch one half was always going to be easier than the other. We played with the elements in the first half and therefore started the better. Even though we were well on top we had trouble converting all our chances and we very nearly conceded ourselves but for a fine save from our great goalie Lily Murphy! We did eventually break the deadlock through a fine movement that started deep in our own half and working it's way through midfield found our striker Caoimhe Manley who then took on a few players and stuck the ball in the net. A brilliantly taken goal by Caoimhe who worked really hard all day. The second half saw Bt dominate and it was our turn to batten down the hatches! They also found it hard to score and that was no surprise when you're up against a back line like Katie Hartnett, Kate McGrath, Anna Gleeson and Amy-Louise O'Dwyer. These girls were tackling like tigers all day each getting better and better. Our midfield girls of Katie Ryan, Sadhbh Kennedy, Holly Fitzpatrick, Saoirse Haverty, Molly O'Brien and Katie Ryan were working extra hard covering loads of ground because of the elements. Midway through the second period Lily Murphy made one of the bravest saves we've seen in ages when she put her body on the line to an attacker coming in at full speed. Lily got a foot straight to the face but she somehow managed to keep the ball out. Not long after though Bt got the break they were looking for. One of our girls was unlucky to handle the ball in the danger area and the free kick that followed took a deflection and ended up in our net. It was 1-1 and it stayed this way until the end.
A tough game in tough conditions will only strengthen those involved!
Many thanks to Bt for a sporting game.