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Cardiff 5-7 Western Gaels 2-3
The Cardiff ladies team put in a storming second half display to ease to their first win in their final game of the season. After a slow start the Cardiff side outscored the opposition 4-3 to 0-1 in the second half to give them a comfortable and well deserved win after some free flowing football.
Western Gaels had the best of the early exchanges scoring 2 goals in the first five minutes to open up a six point lead before Cardiff even got out of the blocks. It took a few attacks before Cardiff eventually found their range with the lively Amy Bolton breaking through to get Cardiff off the mark with a well taken point. This was quickly followed up with 2 points from Sinead McKeown who caused all sorts of problems for the Western Gaels defence.
Western Gaels replied in kind with 2 points of their own but this would be the last time that they would score for over 30 minutes due to the fantastic work rate and application from the Cardiff defence. Leanne Walsh was fantastic throughout as was Katie Nic Aindreasa, both covered a lot of ground, and won ball after ball as they snuffed out attack after attack. Another point from Amy Bolton after great work by midfielder Katie Tanner brought the lead down to four points before a well worked move saw Karen Greene find the net just before half time with a tidy finish.
Cardiff have also unearthed a couple of gems in the form of students Eimear Crowe and Aofie Reilly, who both made their Cardiff debuts on the day. Although they have been in Wales less than a week, they played a major part in the win and both were brilliant in the Cardiff back line.
After half time Cardiff seemed to find their rhythm. Caitlin Ebbehoj was immense at midfield and worked extremely hard to turnover possession, allowing Cardiff to break at speed on a number of occasions. It was exactly that which allowed Katie Tanner to deliver a great ball to Elaine McCarron who took a fantastic score to get Cardiff on level terms for the first time in the game. This was followed up with a cracking goal from Sinead McKeown who, having taken a pass from Ailish Breen, broke though the Bristol defence before finding the top corner from 15 yards out to put some daylight between the sides.
Cardiff now had the bit between their teeth and a great run by Aoife Reilly saw her find Amy ‘the Hulk’ Bolton who beat her marker before despatching the ball to the net. This was quickly followed up by another goal from corner forward Karen Greene who grabbed her second of the game after some good work from Elaine McCarron and Katie Tanner.
A mini resurgence from Bristol saw Cardiff goalkeeper Sinead Whyte make a couple of great saves before Bristol eventually put the ball over the bar. Katie Nic Aindreasa, despite a slight knock, seemed to be in two places at once as she made countless tackles and blocks, determined to spurn any chances that Bristol managed to create . Great work from Eimear Crowe saw her dispossess her opposite number and with a pin-point pass find the relentless Caitlin Ebbehoj who put Sinead McKeown through and allowed her to score another belter as she drove the ball into the back of the net. Katie Tanner won the resulting kick out and fed the ball to Amy Bolton for another point before Sinead McKeown closed out the win with the final score of the day after yet another fantastic run by Galway speedster Aoife Reilly.
A great performance from Cardiff all round. Resolute and tough in defence, direct and confident in attack. It was that confidence that was the telling factor on the day. The Cardiff team backed themselves when in front of goal and they have reaped the rewards. This win will bring them more confidence which will in turn, inevitably bring them more success. Credit must go the the players for their hard work and to the coaches Martin Flood and Fergus O’Neill for their direction and guidance.
Well done to all of the ladies on a great year, you are a credit to the club. Lets hope for more of the same, Colmcilles Abu!
Cardiff St Colmcilles Ladies team and scorers: Sinead Whyte, Leanne Walsh, Katie Nic Aindreasa, Eimer Crowe, Aoife Reilly, Caitlin Ebbehoj, Katie Tanner, Elaine McCarron (0-1), Ailish Breen, Sinead Mckeown (2-3), Karen Greene (2-0), Amy Bolton (1-3)
