STRENGTH IN NUMBERS RINGS TRUE FOR SENIOR GIRLS
Senior Cup
By Mr D . Lucas
Dunshaughlin C . C . 1 Maynooth P . P . 5
The senior girls got their cup campaign off to the perfect start against Dunshauglin on Wednesday . Hit by a plethora of unfortunate injuries and late withdrawals , the squad on the day amounted to just 13 names but quality over quantity saw them over the finish line .
Maynooth P . P . dominated the early exchanges and went close to taking the lead on several occasions but for some organised and committed defending from the Dunshaughlin back line and it was the home team that actually opened the scoring mid way through the first half and completely against the run of play .
Refreshingly , the heads did not drop and 5 minutes before half time , Aoife Murnane picked the ball up 20 yards out and drove into the box before slotting low and past the keeper . Maynooth P . P . continued their dominance in the second half creating chance after chance and it looked like extra time might be on the cards . 8 minutes from time , Maynooth finally broke the Dunshaughlin C . C . resolve . Two goals each from Anna Kelly and Ava Cullen painted a nicer picture on the scoreboard but in truth , it was no more than they deserved after a very calm , dogged display .
The defining moment for this team probably came after the full-time whistle , when two of our oldest squad members ( 17 & 18 ) nominated Sorcha Whelan , a defender and one of our youngest players ( 14 ), to be Player of the Match , a real indication of the spirit and maturity that makes this team special .
Well done to all and best of luck in the next round
Back Row ( L-R ): Eimear Quinn , Eve Conheady , Niamh Richardson , Sorcha Whelan , Noreia Stifter , Claire Hawkins , Roisín Nolan , Holly Keely , Ava Cullen Front Row ( L-R ): Aoife Murnane , Aoife Richardson , Anna Kelly , Sinéad Tureau , Saoirse Mullen