Cumann na mBunscol Finals: Girls complete memorable double for Moynalvey

GIRLS DIV 4

Eva Gannon produced a masterful display as Moynalvey completed a quickfire double at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday by claiming the Girls Div 4 title with victory over Carnaross.

Gannon finished with a remarkable personal tally of 3-8, but it was far from a one-girl show as Moynalvey had excellent performances all over the field, especially in defence.

Despite playing against the strong wind Moynalvey played well and opened up a six-point interval lead, but they didn't have it all their own as Carnaross had their moments.

Carnaross opened the scoring after three minutes when Lily B Lydon's shot hit the crossbar and dropped over the line for a goal.

Moynalvey's response was impressive with Eva Gannon getting them up and running with a point in the fifth minute before Aoife O'Shea added a second, via a deflection, two minutes later.

Moynalvey received the perfect boost when Gannon blasted her side's opening goal and when she quickly added a point they were 1-3 to 1-0 ahead.

Zara Donaghy had a goal chance for Carnaross well saved by Hannah Regan before a brilliant run by Anna Woods led to a superb point and when Katie Woods added another point in the 18th minute the deficit was reduced to 1-2 to 1-3.

However Moynalvey finished the half impressively with Gannon kicking two points before adding a superb goal a minute into injury-time for a 2-5 to 1-2 interval advantage.

Carnaross goalkeeper Grace Turner was tested 90 seconds after the restart by Chloe Heraghty and a minute later Aoife O'Shea added to the winner's tally.

Turner again excelled when she tipped Gannon's drive over the bar and in the 32nd minute Carnaross were given a life line when Cara Manning set up Riona Murphy for a goal which closed the gap to 2-2 to 2-7.

However, that hope lasted less than 30 seconds as Gannon responded with a point from a free before she repeated that trick two minutes later.

The issue was put beyond doubt when Heraghty finished to the net to make it 3-9 to 2-2, but Carnaross refused to give up and hit back with their third goal, a superb effort from Katie Woods after a mesmerising run.

However Gannon grabbed her third goal moments later and despite a point from Murphy, Moynalvey finished strong with Gannon and O'Shea on target to cap a wonderful day for the school.

Moynalvey NS - Hannah Regan; Zoe Drum, Sarah Clarke; Niamh Dabek, Áine Corcoran, Kate O’Keeffe; Aoife O’Shea (0-3), Rachel Treacy; Chloe Heraghty (1-0), Eva Gannon (3-8 three frees), Rachel Clarke; Kate Hussey, Ellen Byrne. Aoife Kennedy, Erin McHale, Ciara O’Shea. Mentors - Anna Flynn, Denis O’Shea.

Carnaross NS - Grace Turner; Aoife Kerins, Chloe Olwill; Emily Shortt, Danielle Kerrigan, Zara Donaghy; Anna Woods (0-1), Katie Woods (1-1); Cara Manning, Ríona Murphy (1-1), Jasmine Brainard; Lilly B Lydon (1-0), Elysha Doyle Daly. Caitlín Mynes, Katie-Anne Lydon, Grace Cole, Sally Reilly, Jessica Magorrian, Holly Lydon, Lucy Smyth. Mentors - Áine Tynan, Racheal Browne.

Referee - Eoin Joyce (St Michael's NS, Trim).