PRIMARY SCHOOLS FINALS Griffin inspires Gilson NS to victory
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Gilson NS’s Shauna Halpin is challenged by Yellow Furze NS’s Dainna Healy Sierakowski during the Girls Div 2 final at Pairc Tailteann. Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Gerry ShanahanImage 2 of 5
Gilson NS captain’s Ava Cahill and Delita Bendaraviciute received the Girls Div 2 Cup from Caroline Gibbons. Gerry ShanahanImage 3 of 5
Gilson NS’s Shauna Halpin received the Spirit of the Final award from the Meath Chronicle’s Tom Gannon. Gerry ShanahanImage 4 of 5
The Gilson NS Oldcastle players (from left) were: back - Bella Rose Gaffney, Marharyta Kovieria, Grace Smith, Dileta Bendaraviciute, Síofraidh Halpin-Murphy, Shauna Halpin, Dayra Schulek, Lucy Griffin, Edel Lynch, Ava Reilly, Nikki Zhang, Hollie Lynch-Walsh, Ava Cahill, Sophie Lynch, Grace Tuite, Penny Hamilton-Foster; front - Isla Smith, Lucy Smyth, Eliana Connell, Holly Mangan, Martha Tynan, Grace Clogher, Lexi Griffin, Eve Garrigan, Emily Clinton, Alanna Ní Fhlatharta, Elena Masnica, Caoimhe Rahill, Isabel Nulty, Alison Farrelly, Éabha Fitzpatrick, Naoise Tynan, Ellen Halligan. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net David MullenImage 5 of 5
The Yellow Furze NS players (from left) were: back - Roisin Crinion, Niamh Crinion, Erin Preissler, Lauren O’Reilly, Libby Smith, Maybel McCarthy, Lilly Coyle, Katie Concannon, Daina Healy, Isabelle Stafford, Lucy Hynes, Lucy Davis, Lexi Finnegan, Fiadh Stafford, Daisy Byrne, Molly Dowdall; front - Emilia O’Reilly, Tara Farrell, Kate Finnegan, Annie McCormack, Laura Davis, Grace Darby, Saoirse Clarke, Olivia Howard, Shauna Gallogly, Jo Jo Kidd, Lily Mae Keane, Lily Dowdall, Eleanor Carey, Kate Connell. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net David MullenGIRLS DIV 2
Lexi Griffin scored four goals to fire Gilson NS, Oldcastle to glory over Yellow Furze NS in the Girls Div 2 final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, writes Tom Gannon.
Oldcastle were quick out of the blocks and a fine first-half performance was crucial to their success.
Shauna Halpin kicked off proceedings with a well-taken free before Lexi Griffin scored the first of her four goals after two minutes. Halpin caused Yellow Furze a lot of issues early on and tagged on two more points to give Oldcastle an early 1-3 to 0-0 lead.
Lucy Davis responded for the girls in yellow and black with two points in quick succession before Griffin hit the back of the net once more. Halpin secured a long-range point and a few minutes later scored a stunning goal from distance right into the top left corner of the net. Davis pulled one back for the Yellow Furze to leave Oldcastle with a half-time lead of 3-4 to 0-3.
The sides traded points early on in the second-half before Griffin completed her hat-trick and quickly tagged on another goal for good measure.
Heading into the final 10 minutes, Oldcastle held a commanding lead of 5-7 to 0-5. Yellow Furze showed great resilience to hit 2-2 on the trot as Lily Coyle and Erin Preissler both found the back of the net in the closing stages. However, Oldcastle had built up an unassailable lead and held on well to take home the cup.
Gilson NS Oldcastle - Dayra Schulek; Holly Mangan, Síofraidh Halpin-Murphy, Lucy Smyth; Eve Garrigan, Grace Smith, Alanna Ní Fhlatharta; Dileta Bendaraviciute, Eliana Connell; Edel Lynch, Shauna Halpin (1-5 one free), Grace Clogher; Lucy Griffin (0-1), Ava Reilly, Lexi Griffin (4-1). Subs - Emily Clinton, Bella-Rose Gaffney, Martha Tynan, Sofia Demenkova, Éabha Fitzpatrick, Elena Masnica, Marharyta Kovieria, Ava Cahill, Alison Farrelly, Isla Smith, Caoimhe Rahill, Sophie Lynch, Isabel Nulty, Naoise Tynan, Hollie Lynch-Walsh, Penny Hamilton-Foster, Grace Tuite, Katie-Rose Halligan, Nikki Zhang; Mentors - P Galligan, T Harten, S Geraghty.
Yellow Furze NS - Katie Concannon; Róisín Crinion, Libby Smith, Laura Davis; Maybel McCarthy, Daina Healy Sierakowski, Isabel Stafford; Lucy Davis (0-3), Lucy Hynes (0-1); Lauren O’Reilly, Erin Preissler (1-1), Fiadh Stafford (0-1); Lexi Finnegan, Kate Finnegan, Lily Coyle (1-1). Subs - Kate Connell, Niamh Crinion, Annie McCormack, Grace Darby, Jo Jo Kidd, Saoirse Clarke, Shauna Gollogley, Olivia Howard, Mollie Darby, Lily Mae Keane, Lily Darby, Emily Rose Fallon, Eleanor Carey, Cara Farrell, Daisy Byrne, Amelia O’Reilly; Mentors - Liz Halpenny, Aonghus Byrne.
Referee - Máire O’Shaughnessy (St Seachnall’s NS Dunshaughlin).