PRIMARY SCHOOLS FINALS: Ward inspires Killyon to thrilling victory
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Killyon NS’s Ella Williamson is in control during the Girls Div 5 final. Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Gerry ShanahanImage 2 of 5
Killyon NS captains Ella Williamson and Éilis O’Donnell received the Girls Div 5 Cup from Liz Halpenny. Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Gerry ShanahanImage 3 of 5
Killyon NS’s Aine Ward received the Spirit of the final award from the Meath Chronicle’s Fergal Lynch. Gerry ShanahanImage 4 of 5
The Kilbeg NS players (from left) were: back - Rida Rahman, Riah McGovern, Aire Gudziunaite, Kate Crosby, Sophie Lynch, Hazel O’Connor, Anna Gaffney, Emma Jane Sheridan, Lexi Brady-Shankey, Kathia Farrelly; front - Abbie Jackson, Michaela Carolan Robertson, Kaylah Weldon, Kayla Farrelly, Una Uradnikova, Nicole O’Connor. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net David MullenImage 5 of 5
The Killyon NS players (from left) were: back - Áine Ward, Ella Williamson, Mary Ward, Beth Feeney, Lily Heneghan, Charlotte Hevey, Mai Brady, Éilis O’Donnell, Saoirse Flanagan; front - Lauren Heeney, Anna Coleman, Evelyn Ayres, Aimee Dowdall, Erin McCormack, Lily Gilsenan, Emily Quinn, Amber Victory, Kayleigh Dowdall. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net David MullenSeven years since their last victory Killyon NS returned to the winners enclosure inn the Girls Div 5 as they held off a strong Kilbeg challenge at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
Aine Ward was the star for Killyon with a personal return of 3-7, but this victory was also founded on the outstanding defending of Mary Ward and Beth Feeney as well as the tenacious attacking of Erin McCormack.
Kilbeg opened the scoring inside 30 seconds when Kathia Farrelly pointed, but Killyon responded almost immediately with Aine Ward surging forward for a fine goal.
Eight minutes Aine Ward put Killyon in the driving seat with her second goal and when Erin McCormack added a point the lead was extended to 2-1 to 0-1.
Kilbeg did go close to bagging a couple of goals but on two occasions Una Uradnikova was denied by superb saves from Lily Heneghan.
Aine Ward stretched Killyon's lead with a point under pressure before Abbie Jackson finally added to Kilbeg's tally with a point after a great move.
However Killyon finished the half with a flurry as Erin McCormack won possession brilliantly and bagged a goal before she then added a point with the last kick of the half to make it 3-3 to 0-2 at the break.
Kilbeg gave themselves hope seven minutes after the restart when Una Uradnikova buried the ball to the net after Abbie Jackson had hit the crossbar.
Aine Ward replied with a point, but three minutes later Kilbeg had a third goal, an almost exact replica of their second as Una Uradnikova hit the crossbar and Kate Crosby followed up with the rebound to the net to make it 2-2 to 3-4.
Two more points from Aine Ward were followed by a goal for Abbie Jackson which closed the gap to 3-2 to 3-6, but in the closing minutes Killyon and Aine Walsh found another level with the top scorer adding another three points while Ella Williamson was also on target.
The closing score was Aine Ward's hat-trick goal which was fitting given the excellence of her display.
Killyon NS - Lily Heneghan; Evelyn Ayres, Mary Ward; Beth Feeney, Charlotte Hevey, Éilis O’Donnell; Ella Williamson (0-1), Áine Ward (3-7 one free); Erin McCormack (1-2), Mai Brady, Emily Quinn. Saoirse Flanagan, Kayleigh Dowdall, Amber Victory, Aimee Dowdall, Lily Gilsenan, Lauren Heeney, Katie Murtagh, Anna Coleman; mentors - Angela Sheerin, Michelle Brady.
Kilbeg NS - Hazel O’Connor; Anna Gaffney, Kayla Farrelly; Emma Jane Sheridan, Kaylah Weldon, Abbie Jackson (1-1); Kathia Farrelly (0-1), Aire Gudziunaite; Kate Crosby (1-0), Una Uradnikova (1-0), Sophie Lynch. Nicole O’Connell, Michaela Carolan Robertson, Lexi Brady-Shankey, Riah McGovern, Rida Rahman; mentors - Jennifer Farrelly, Thomas Farrelly.
Referee - Mary Coyne (St Ultan’s NS Bohermeen).