Tullamore Town U11 girls ended the season on a high with a brilliant display to win the U11 Cup in Stanley O’Hara Park today.
Against a much bigger and physical side, the Tullamore girls passed the ball around the perfect surface and in the end the result was no surprise.
Tullamore started brightly and took the game to Kinnegad from the off.
All their hard work was rewarded when Clodagh Merriman’s well-struck shot went over the line, and in off the post.
Tullamore were now in command and were unluckly not to add to their lead in that opening half.
However, their resolve was tested when a corner from Kinnegad fortuitously found it’s way to the net early in the second half.
Tullamore were undeterred and continued to press for the winner.
It looked like Tullamore would take the lead again midway through the second half when a great effort from Michelle Dunne was saved and then Clodagh Merriman was well denied by the keeper with the follow up.
In that period, Michelle Dunne, Emma Francis and Clodagh Merriman were all to the fore as they looked for the winner.
The defence was not found wanting either with Niamh Power, Isabelle Keyes and Lisa Sinclair all performing heroicly.
Isabelle McCumiskey also provided a great outlet up front and worked tirelessly throughout the game. Holly Dollard and Karolina Mazurek also played their part as they kept Kinnegad at bay.
Aoibhe Ryan had a great game in goals and came up with a brilliant match-winning save from a pile-driver of a shot midway through the second half.
That save spurred Tullamore on and they always looked the likely winner after that.
With a massive amount of frees in their favour, it looked like a set-piece would decide it for Tullamore.
And the winner duly arrived with just three minutes left, when another foul on a Tullamore player resulted in a free in an opportune spot.
Emma Francis stepped up and drove the ball to the net, with the keeper unsighted in a congested box.
Tullamore never looked back and held out for a memorable victory against a very tough Kinnegad side.
Tullamore Town: Aoibhe Ryan, Isabelle Keyes, Niamh Power, Lisa Sinclair, Emma Francis, Michelle Dunne, Clodagh Merriman, Isabelle McCumiskey, Holly Dollard, Karolina Mazurek.
Referee: Tom Cunningham
