DUBLIN LGFA JUNIOR CLUB STARS
WHITE STARS 2-12
NAVY STARS 1-14
By Daire Walsh
Rebekah Fitzpatrick struck a late goal as the White Stars came from behind to earn victory over the Navy Stars in the Dublin LGFA Junior Club Stars match at the DCU Sportsgrounds on Sunday afternoon.
11 points adrift at half-time before being nine in arrears with just eight minutes of normal time left to play, the White Stars registered 2-4 without reply to ultimately claim the spoils in an entertaining clash. Bench power proved crucial for the winners with an astonishing tally of 2-7 coming from the substitutes used by the White Stars management.
In addition to a 2-1 salvo by Fitzpatrick, Erin Lambe and Naoise Finnegan contributed 0-4 and 0-2 respectively as replacements. The Navy Stars had gotten themselves in a strong position thanks to the scoring prowess of Emily Burke and Chloe Kiernan.
Between them, the inside duo amassed a combined haul of 1-11 over the course of the action.
Comprising of players from Junior C level downwards, this final was kick-started by a point for the White Stars from Emma Howe inside the opening 30 seconds. The Navy Stars were eager to lay down a maker of their own, however, and a purple patch gave them a strong foothold on the proceedings.
In the space of just three minutes, Kiernan, Ellie Haran, Eadaoin O Snodaigh and Round Tower Clondalkin ace Burke (two) found the range in successive fashion. Ellen Kirwan rattled the crossbar at the opposite end in the ninth-minute, but did at least come away with a point from the ensuing rebound.
Although this kept the White Stars in touch, the Navy women re-established their authority when Burke cut inside from the right-flank and fired a low shot beyond the reach of Sinead Kellet for a 15th-minute goal. St Finian’s, Swords representative Howe provided the White Stars with some solace by converting a free just past the first-quarter mark, only for the double act of Burke and Kiernan to flex their muscles once again.
Complimenting a Burke brace, Man-O-War sharpshooter Kiernan kicked three points for the Navy Stars. Nicola Douch Staunton did get her name on the scoresheet for the White Stars, but another two-point blitz from Kiernan ensured the Navy Stars established a 1-12 to 0-4 cushion.
The White Stars management team of Micky McGuigan (Castleknock), Eric Haughan (St Finian’s, Newcastle) and Ava Pollock (St Anne’s) dipped into their reserves on the restart in a bid to work their way back into contention.
This gave them a new platform in the attacking half of the pitch with Fitzpatrick (free), Finnegan and Lambe all posting consecutive points. The Navy Stars management of John Walsh (Thomas Davis), Ciaran Pollock (St Anne’s) and Ursula O’Donnell (St Sylvester’s) also made their share of alterations, but it was the dependable Burke who got their first point of the second period on the stroke of 40 minutes.
Eight minutes passed before the next score arrived and it was the lively Lambe who came up with a much-needed contribution for the White Stars. Nevertheless, the Navy Stars remained in control when Crumlin’s Alanna Hodgins registered a close-range point on 52 minutes.
Yet unanswered efforts from Finnegan, Lambe and the industrious Ciara Burgess (who was named player of the match in the aftermath of the game) offered the White Stars renewed hope, in advance of Fitzpatrick breaking free for an outstanding 57th-minute goal.
The prospect of a dramatic comeback was suddenly on the cards and Lambe was somewhat unfortunate to see her strike floating just over the crossbar on the hour. However, there was one final opportunity for the White Stars and Fitzpatrick emerged as the match-winner when her looping shot got the better of Trinity Gaels’ Niamh Byrne.
The Navy Stars did their best to conjure an equaliser in the closing seconds, but a resolute White Stars defence (for whom Templeogue Synge Street’s Sarah Staunton made an impact as a substitute) dug deep to record a one-point success.
Scorers – White Stars: Rebekah Fitzpatrick 2-1 (0-1f), Erin Lambe 0-4, Emma Howe (1f), Naoise Finnegan (1f) 0-2 each, Nicola Douch Staunton, Ellen Kirwan, Ciara Burgess 0-1 each. Navy Stars: Emily Burke 1-5, Chloe Kiernan 0-6, Ellie Haran, Eadaoin O Snodaigh, Alanna Hodgins 0-1 each.
WHITE STARS: Sinead Kellet (Whitehall Colmcille); Leah McEneaney (St Peregrine’s), Kate Keogh (Na Fianna), Bronagh Neary (Round Tower Lusk); Balathaid Ni Scanaill (Fingallians), Rachel Howard (Fingallians), Catriona Murphy (Na Gaeil Aeracha); Jessica Wall (Croi Ro Naofa), Erris Smith (Lucan Sarsfields); Nicola Douch Staunton (Thomas Davis), Emma Howe (St Finian’s, Swords), Ellen Kirwan (St Patrick’s, Donabate); Nicki Carr (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh), Ciara Burgess (Castleknock), Rachel Roe (Crumlin). Subs: Amy Colman (St Monica’s), Rebekah Fitzpatrick (Ballinteer St John’s), Helen Barron (Clanna Gael Fontenoy), Lauren Coleman (Shankill), Sarah Staunton (Templeogue Synge Street), Sarah O’Neill (Round Tower Lusk), Kati O’Rourke Keane (Scoil Ui Chonaill), Fiona Power (Erin Go Bragh), Erin Lambe (St Jude’s), Sarah Ross (St Vincent’s), Naoise Finnegan (Erin’s Isle), Niamh Egan (Kilmacud Crokes), Gemma Kilduff (St Finian’s, Newcastle).
NAVY STARS: Niamh Byrne (Trinity Gaels); Orla Walsh (St Anne’s), Sinead Murray (Craobh Chiarain), Aoife O’Connor (Wanderers); Avril Holmes (Ballymun Kickhams), Fiona Craddock (Cuala), Lauren McDonnell (St Margaret’s); Ellie Haran (Garda Westmanstown Gaels), Megan Connolly (Naomh Mearnog); Ellen Quinn (Beann Eadair), Eadaoin O Snodaigh (Na Gaeil Oga), Ally Gormley (Garristown); Emily Burke (Round Tower Clondalkin), Sarah Brennan (St Sylvester’s), Chloe Kiernan (Man-O-War). Subs: Eva Coughlan (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Aoife Allen (Robert Emmet’s), Caoimhe Healy (St Mary’s, Saggart), Emer Fitzsimons (Stars Of Erin), Rachel Herlihy (St Patrick’s, Donabate), Katie O’Rourke (Whitehall Colmcille), Ciara Mangan (Clontarf), Sophie Kelly (Naomh Olaf), Sarah Nyhan (St Brigid’s), Saoirse Lawlor (O’Toole’s), Jane O’Donoghue (St Brendan’s), Orla Regan (St Margaret’s), Alanna Hodgins (Crumlin).
Referee: Ciara O’Brien (Garda Westmanstown Gaels).