| Ballykelly 2-11 Naas 2-11 |
Report:
Ballykelly surprised everyone but themselves when drawing with championship favourites Naas in Naas on Sunday morning after a cracking encounter, on a scoreline of 2-11 apiece.
It says a lot for the calibre of the group though that the prevailing emotion was disappointment, as knowing the hard work that had been done during the year and quality of player that is now in a growing panel, the feeling had been that this was a game Ballykelly could win.
And they should have, leading by five points going into injury time and having had a superior cutting edge throughout. Unfortunately, injury time went on nearly 10 minutes and Naas showed their own ability and courage, pouring forward to score a goal and a couple of pointed frees.
Disappointment soon gave away to satisfaction though, as the performance confirmed Ballykelly's credentials as contenders for honours.
Of course previous performances don't count in teh present, and the girls will need to dig deep and work hard again in games against Castlemitchell, Suncroft and Athgarvan if they are to earn a coveted final berth.
Ballykelly led 1-7 to 1-4 at the interval and deservedly so as the entire forward division made chance after chance. Maire Dowling's intelligent runs got her in great positions and she shot points with left and right boot. Emma Sharpe showed very strongly and got a great goal, while Sinead Melia kicked one wondrous point. Vice captain Niamh Sinnott's strong carrying was drawing defenders and Emma Marron's strength was seen to good effect on numerous occasions. Roisin O'Connell scored one excellent point and had a hand in a couple more as she used the space well.
Sarah O'Neill and Mags McGillicuddy worked hard in midfield, while in defence Amy Lawler was immense, as was Sharon Melia - despite shipping some heavy punishment - Mary Kate 'Francie' Callanan at full-back and captain Sandra Prendergast. Katelyn Lawler played with her customary class and absence of fear and Gemma Bannon got on top in a relatively new position at wing-back, winning plenty of dirty ball and being fouled quite a bit, especially in the second half, when the dander was up.
Anita Dunne was safety personified in goals, catching every ball that came her way and making one vital foray out of her goals in teh first half to deny Naas a certain goal.
Joanne Kelly scored a brilliant point when coming on in the second half, while Emma Marron and Sinead Melia added fresh impetus out around the middle when moving out there.
Maire added to her points tally and Niamh scored a very opportunistic goal, finishing in customary clinical fashion. Sinead slotted a couple of frees as well.
Hopefully the girls can build on this now for the next game, about which there is some confusion about at county level (shock, horror), at the time of writing.
Ballykelly: Anita Dunne; Sharon Melia, Mary Kate Callanan, Katelyn Lawler; Gemma Bannon, Amy Lawler, Sandra Prendergast (capt.); Mags McGillicuddy, Sarah O'Neill; Roisin O'Connell, Niamh Sinnott, Sinead Melia; Emma Sharpe, Maire Dowling, Emma Marron. Sub: Joanne Kelly for Sarah O'Neill, Laura Coe, Karen Conway, Jenny Hall, Ashling Friel, Aoife Hennessy, Martina Foster, Denise Callanan
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