Our U16 LGFA team had their first outing of 2022 last night, Thursday, April 28th at home in Pairc Naomh Ultan. It was very much a game of two halves, played in brilliant conditions on what felt like a Summer's evening. Their opposition was Baile na nGalloglach, Milford who were unfortunately delayed due to heavy traffic in Letterkenny. The game got going eventually and Naomh Ultan were well warmed up and raring to go. Sarah Hegarty scored a goal in the opening minutes to get them off to a dream start. Milford responded with a point soon after but Clodagh Murray then popped up for Naomh Ultan's second not long after to stretch the lead to five points.
Hegarty then got her second of the evening when she rattled the net towards the midway point of the half. Milford got their second point of the game and it was Kelly Gallagher who matched that after working the ball up the field. Milford and Gallagher then exchanged two more points each to leave us at 3-2 0-4. Full forward, Sarah Fitzgerald opened her account for the evening getting Naomh Ultan's last point of the half. Milford did add another just before the half time whistle leaving it at 3-3 to 0-5 at the interval.
As mentioned it was very much a game of two halves, and given the fact that six of the Naomh Ultan team played a couple of games in a Cumann Na mBunscol competition earlier: it may have been down to tired legs. Milford were well loosened out at this stage after their long journey and really dominated proceedings from the restart. They scored a total of nine unanswered points in the half with Naomh Ultan struggling to get the ball moving up the field like the did in the opening half. They might rue a couple of chances that came their way but it seemed like it just wasn't meant to be for this side. After a fine second half performance Baile na nGalloglach where deserving winners on a scoreline of 3-3 to 0-14. Hard luck to our girls and their management team of Cathal Lowther & Sharon Cunningham, it's a quick turnaround now to their next fixture so they'll have to get their heads back up and focused on round two.
Next up is Gaeil Leitir Ceanainn, away in Pรกirc na nGael, Letterkenny this Saturday, April 30th. Throw-in is scheduled for 6:15pm, best of luck to the girls and their management in that one!
Naomh Ultan Team & Scorers -
Clodagh Byrne
Eimear Cunningham
Chloe Lowther
Kayla Boyle
Lisa Cunningham
Aoife Boyle
Clodagh Murray (1-0)
Kelly Gallagher 0-2
Rachel Murphy
Nicole Murphy
Cliodhna O'Shea
Sarah Hegarty (2-0)
Orlaith Gallagher
Sarah Fitzgerald (0-1)
Chloe McCallig