Women's and Schoolgirls Roundup
Seaview Celtic who played Kilmacow in the clubs first ever U13 Schoolgirl League fixture.
After the latest round of fixtures, the League title is down to a two-way race as both Benfica and Dungarvan United won to stay joint top of the table with two games left to play. The two sides will meet in the final game of the Senior League season, and it promises to be a cracker.
Dungarvan were first to play as they travelled to Ben Wadding Park to play Bohemians. The visitors opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Lily McGill pounced in the six-yard box after Jessica Volden had saved to slot home from close range. On the half-hour mark, the Old Borough outfit doubled their lead through an unfortunate own goal. Both sides enjoyed periods of possession, but with seventeen minutes left Dungarvan killed the game with their third when McGill raced clear and after rounding Geraghty she fired home. Four minutes later, Karen Delahunty capitalised on a defensive mix-up to place her shot past Geraghty to make it four. Hayley Phelan was next on target on eighty-five minutes and it was Mary Kate Morrissey who rounded off the scoring in the final minute when she had an empty net to score into after Phelan squared to her.
On Sunday morning kept up their title claim as they were too strong for Park Rangers with captain Lisa Dower to the fore as she netted four times. Dower gave her side the lead in the opening minute from Doireann Phelan's pass and just five minutes later she had added her second. Benfica were in control from start to finish and by the tenth minute, they were three goals ahead when Aleisha Cullen found the net with Dower this time turning provider On 13 minutes the game was over as a contest as Benfica rattled in their fourth. Cullen was the provider setting up Phelan who made no mistake slotting past Aoife Bolger in the Rangers goal. With 28 minutes on the clock the home side had further added to their lead as Niamh Taylor Hughes put in Leah O Donoghue who shot post Bolger.
Dower claimed her hat trick after 54 minutes and Sophie Power made it seven on the hour mark. Dower hit her fourth after 70 minutes and it was Rangers who claimed the final two goals of proceedings through Yvonne Power and Laoise McLoughlin.
Seaview made their bow at U13 level in Annestown on Sunday morning in heavy rain and wind but put in a stellar performance to claim the points. After a scoreless first half the hosts took control and they scored thee times without reply. Kate Dwan, Lily Byrne and Orla Eldridge were all on the scoresheet in their sides historic fixture.
Saviours made the trip across the bridge to South Kilkenny and they left Suir Crescent with all three points after edging out the home side by the odd goal in three. Caoimhe Dwyer was first to score for Saviours with Angel Smith scoring the winning goal for the city based outfit.
It was a profitable trip to the seaside for Dungarvan as they ran out 4-0 winners at Graun Park. Abbey Duggan and Rojin Cambeg both grabbed a brace of goals to give their side the points.
There were goals galore at St. Laurence's Hall with Khalessi Ryan for the second week in a run showing her goal scoring class. Ryan was on target four times to add to last weeks hat trick with Béibhinn Hayes and Kaitlyn Kinkead both scoring a double each for Villa.
Rangers got their campaign off to the perfect start as three late goals gave the win over Southend at the Glen. Mia Verwijs broke the deadlock after 55 minutes from Emilia Cala's pass. Cala notched Rangers second on the hour mark and Cala completed the scoring with two minutes left for her second goal and her sides third.
The Rams were in top form at St. Nicholas Park as they scored five without reply. Freya Cusack, Ciara O Donovan, Nicole Cullinane and Lily Higgins were all on target for the visitors..
Despite the very poor conditions Carrick United were happy after their visit to Graun Park as they opened their season with a strong performance. Grainne Phelan netted twice with Imogen Power, Sienna Power and Sive Jennings also all on target.
Ballinroad kick started their campaign in winning fashion against a fancied Southend side on Sunday as they came out on top against their city opponents. Leah Kiely hit a double with Ellie Mae Doherty, Isobel Daly, Taliah Akehurst and Aoibheann Fitzgerald also scoring with Lucy Batchelor and Emily O Regan replying for the Tangerines.
