We played our 2nd match of the JC league at home in our own pitch. Conditions were okay on the day. We started the first half well. A sideline ball taken by Sinead O Driscoll was picked up by Niamh Barry who buried the ball in the back of the net, which resulted in the first score of the match. A point followed soon after again from Niamh. Our opposition Skibbereen tried to breach our defense but Caroline Broderick wasn’t having any of it and cleared the ball back up the pitch. Noelle Kearney was tormenting the Skibbereen backs and scored 3 points in as many minutes. Skibbereen sneaked in a goal midway through the first half but the Rovers ladies were not to be deterred and with some lovely passing from Emma O’ Keeffe and Shelley McAteer, Sinead O’ Driscoll slotted over 2 points in succession. Both teams fought hard for the ball, Noelle scored another two points to give us a comfortable lead. With five minutes to go in the first half, there was no stopping Shelley tearing down the centre and driving the ball to the back of the net to give Bride Rovers there second goal of the match. To finish the first half Colette Hogan put over a point to keep us in a sound position.
To start the second half Emma O’Keeffe was quick to put over a point a minute into play. For the next few minutes our backs were kept busy with a surge from Skibbereen who scored two goals, but the Rovers backs did not give the opposition another chance to score again. There was some great defensive play by Catherine McHugh who was in mighty form today. Our UK contingent of Niamh Barry and Sinead O’ Driscoll scored in the next 10 minutes 1-5 between them. Niamh Barry was putting points over from every angle of the pitch. In the last few minutes of the match Carrie O’Leary sneaked a goal past the Skibbereen, goalie which resulted in Bride Rovers girls having a very comfortable win over the West Cork Ladies. There were some fantastic individual performances from the ladies and lets hope that we will be able to maintain our winning form.
Team: Arlene O’Callaghan, Trish Kearney, Catherine McHugh, Karen Grumbridge, Imelda Dorgan, Bridget Forde, Caroline Broderick, Emma O’Keeffe (O-1), Shelley McAteer (1-0), Colette Hogan (0-1), Niamh Barry (1-5), Sinead O’Connor, Sarah Walsh, Sinead O’Driscoll (1-4), Noelle Kearney (0-5) Subs: Carrie O Leary (1-0), Clodagh Butler, Laura O’Keeffe, Catherine Kearney, Michelle Boyce, Katie Kelleher, Lisa Foley, Trisha Arnold, Carol Marie Dooley.
Our next match is on 11/04/04 against Carrigaline, so will players please attend training every Monday and Friday night at 7pm sharp!