Goals the difference as Portarlington get the better of Killeshin
Presentation Portarlington who got the better of Killeshin NS in the Cumann na mBunscol Cailíní Roinn 1 Shield final in Laois Hire O'Moore Park Photo: Alf Harvey.
Presentation Primary School Portarlington 5-7
Killeshin 1-12
PRESENTATION Primary School Portarlington are this year’s Cailíní Roinn 1 Shield champions after firing five goals past Killeshin.
Portarlington had to defend for their lives as Killeshin mounted a heroic comeback, cutting the deficit from eight points down to just three, but time ultimately ran out, and Portarlington were crowned champions.
The final got off to a flying start as Amelia Cruickshank opened the scoring for Killeshin before Pippa Bennett replied for Portarlington. Killeshin were excellent at taking their scores from distance, with Kate Kelly slotting over two superb points, one from a free.
Ava O’Dwyer responded for Portarlington before Killeshin kicked on with four points on the trot. Naoise Buckley scored three of those, with Kacey Lucas adding the other, as they opened up a five-point lead. Caoimhe O’Mahony was then denied a goal by a superb save from Aoife Murphy.
O’Mahony did manage to raise a green flag moments later, slotting the ball past Murphy. Kelly added another point for Killeshin, their eighth of the half, before O’Mahony struck again, scoring a goal and a point to leave Portarlington behind by a single point at the break.
Portarlington hit the front shortly after the restart, scoring 1-2 without reply. Abaigeal Carroll and Ava O’Dwyer got the points, while Megan McCausland struck a fine goal. Kelly replied with a free for Killeshin, but Portarlington then hit another purple patch, adding 2-2 to their tally. Roslyn Gallagher and Pixie Myhill both bagged a goal and a point to push Portarlington eight points clear.
From there, Killeshin launched their big comeback, Kelly pointing a free before firing in a goal, and Lucas adding two points, but it wasn’t to be, as Portarlington held firm to lift the Roinn 1 Shield.
SCORERS:
Portarlington: Caoimhe O’Mahony 2-1, Pixie Myhill and Roslyn Gallagher 1-1 each, Megan McCausland 1-0, Ava O’Dwyer 0-2, Abaigeal Carroll and Pippa Bennett 0-1 each.
Killeshin: Kate Kelly 1-5, Naoise Buckley and Kacey Lucas 0-3, Amelia Cruickshank 0-1.
PORTARLINGTON G.N.S: Anastasiya Lasiy, Aoife Cullen, Toria McDermott, Chloe O’Connor, Megan McCausland, Abaigeal Carroll, Emma Dunne, Ava O’Dwyer, Pippa Bennett, Caoimhe O’Mahony, Isabella Mooney, Rosyln Gallagher, Cara Cooper-Keogh, Roisin McCoubrey, Pixie Myhill, Holly McEvoy, Helen Emerson.
SCOIL CHOMHGHAIN NAOFA KILLESHIN: Aoife Murphy, Hannah Murphy, Freya Whelan, Aoibhinn Doyle, Evie Brennan, Lyla Smith, Mia Hurley, Polly McDonald, Lucy Brennan, Naoise Buckley, Kate Kelly, Amelia Cruickshank, Kacey Lucas, Ellie Nolan.
