Aodh Ruadh Defeat Killeeshil In Ladies Championship

Thursday 20.08.2020

Championship Football

Aodh Ruadh made the short run to Killeeshil for their senior championship clash on Thursday night in confident mood. They started strongly with a goal after two minutes from full forward Aoife Mc Gahan who went on to have a very impressive outing. The Dungannon girls enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half with Rebecca Barker, Mary Cassidy, Emma Jane Gervin and Niamh Hughes making life difficult for Killeeshil. Dungannon moved 1-1 to no score in front after a fine finish from Eimear Lafferty before the home side hit four in a row to draw level. Catherine Mc Cusker, Grainne Rafferty (2) and Alannah Donnelly with the points.

Aodh Ruadh looked dangerous every time they broke. Their speed and exceptional handling set up chance after chance and corner forward Aine Mc Nulty hit her side’s second goal after a fine team move that moved the ball the length of the pitch.

Killeeshil continued to pour forward and won several close in frees. Grainne Rafferty converted three  in a row to tie the game but Aodh Ruadh finished the half strongly with a point from Mc Gahan and a goal just on the stroke of half time from the strong running Niamh Hughes. Half time score Aodh Ruadh 3-3, Killeeshil 0-8

The second half began with Aodh Ruadh on top as Aoife Mc Gahan, Niamh Hughes and Áine Mc Nulty added points to stretch the lead to seven. Shortly after that Mc Gahan took a lovely pass from Hughes to finish to the net and Aodh Ruadh found themselves ten points clear.
Killeeshil went for broke and points from Rafferty and Louise Kelly were followed by a goal from Ciara Donnelly to leave five between the teams. Suddenly Dungannon did not look quite as composed. Mc Gahan pointed to steady the ship but Killeeshil responded with points from Chloe Collins and Catherine Mc Cusker to leave five between the teams again. Killeeshil needed a goal and the chance presented itself with time running out and the light fading.

The home side were awarded a penalty which Grainne Rafferty converted excellently to leave two between the teams with time almost up. Killeeshil pushed up on the Aodh Ruadh kickout, turned the ball over and won a free twenty five yards out on the left. Grainne Rafferty’s effort bounced off the crossbar and in the mayhem that ensued Aodh Ruadh managed to clear the ball and won the game on a final score of 4-8 to 2-12.

A fantastic game of football between two very committed and talented teams.