PRIMARY SCHOOLS FINALS: Matthews rescues draw for Boyerstown against Oristown
GIRLS DIV 4
Not once, but twice all looked to be going Oristown's way in the Girls Div 4 final, but on both occasions Boyerstown found a way to claw their way back and force a draw at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
With just seven minutes remaining in a low-scoring contest Clodagh Carry picked up loose possession and moved Oristown 1-3 to 0-3 clear with a fine point.
Boyerstown peppered the Oristown defence, but they squandered chance after chance and kicked wide after wide. That was until Lana Conaty unleashed a shot from distance which found its way to the net to restore parity.
Undeterred Oristown hit the front again when Pia Clarke's dipping free was tipped over the bar.
Surely that would be enough to win it!
Boyerstown had other ideas. They launched yet another attack and this time Erin Matthews kicked a superb score to level it up once more and ensure a replay.
While there was a shortage of scores in the opening half it certainly wasn't lacking in effort and entertainment as both sides defences excelled.
It took almost nine minutes for the opening score and it was a rather fortunate one with Pia Clarke's free from distance deceiving everyone and dropping to the net to get Oristown off the mark.
Boyerstown responded five minutes later with their opening score from Kelly Smyth and four minutes later they added to their tally with Erin Matthews on the mark.
Both sides went close to adding to their tallies, but Seoidin Cassidy for Oristown and Hannah Callaghan for Boyerstown led their defences brilliantly as Oristown took a 1-0 to 0-2 interval lead.
Grace Byrne extended Oristown's lead two minutes after the restart while down the other end Aimee Grimes did well to deny Kayla Fitzpatrick.
Clodagh Carry powered through to make it 1-2 to 0-2 and that three points remained when Sadie Callaghan and Clodagh Carry traded points, but then the late drama ensued and ensured a replay will be necessary to separate these two excellent sides.
St Joseph's NS Boyerstown - Zara Kearney; Ava Callaghan, Hannah Callaghan; Lucy Lynagh, Sadie Smith, Sadie Callaghan (0-1); Kelly Smyth (0-1), Zara Metry; Erin Matthews (0-1), Lána Conaty (1-0), Kayla Fitzpatrick; Sally Buchanan, Mia Keating. Lucy Dunne Christie, Aimee Connell, Kate Geraghty, Holly Rogers, Katelynne O’Brien, Sophie Keelaghan, Amelie Dillon, Maisy Brady, Aoibhinn Buchanan, Olivia Callaghan, Eve Cleary, Ava Rose Lynch, Isabelle Smyth, Chiara Santoro, Alannah Dunphy, Abbie Gleeson, Florence Duffy, Kate Bray; mentors - Deirdre Forde; Cathal Ó Bric.
Oristown NS - Aimee Grimes; Seoidin Cassidy, Eimear Curley; Sadie Morris, Sadhbh McKenna, Laoise Farrelly; Hannah Byrne, Pia Clarke (1-1 frees); Emily Dorran, Clodagh Carry (0-2), Aoife Byrne; Grace Byrne (0-1), Ella Rose Carpenter. Penelope Thompson, Annie Rooney, Emily Walsh, Ellie Quail, Katie Morgan, Evie McBride, Niamh Thornton, Méabh Norris, Alice Hodnett, Casey Halligan, Grace Hanley, Sadhbh Byrne; mentors - Aisling Rooney, Labhaoise O’Connor, Robert O’Kelly-Lynch.
Referee - Jimmy Walsh (St Mary’s NS Ashbourne).