Portlaoise girls go down fighting after long lay off MSL

U/16 Girls League
Portlaoise girls go down fighting after long lay off MSL

Portlaoise AFC PAFC U/16 girls team that played Temple Villa at the weekend

Portlaoise AFC 1 

Temple Villa 3 A

FTER a nine week break since their last outing the league game against Temple Villa had a bit of a pre-season feel to it for PAFC. Results have proven elusive for the PAFC U/16 Girls team this season and starting 2025 against high flying Temple Villa was always going to be a big ask.

Leah Gibbons was welcomed back in goal. She lined up in goals behind a newly formed back 4 Millie Kehoe, Roisin Devoy, Ava Donovan and Moya Ramsbottom. The midfield was unchanged with Sarah Mousley keeping her place in the starting line up to join Clodagh Booth, Zoe Dumbrell and Lola Conroy. Charlotte Lalor and Erin Kavanagh completed the starting line up.

The opening 20 minutes were by far the best start that PAFC have made to a game this season. They played on the front foot and were a constant goal threat. Erin Kavanagh picked up the opening goal of the game with an excellent finish. Between Kavanagh and Charlotte Lalor they had three or four excellent chances to add to the lead, but the Temple Villa keeper came out bravely to save each time. Midfielders Clodagh Booth and Zoe Dumbrell also went close with long range efforts.

Temple Villa are not near the top of the league for no reason though and their midfield worked their way into the game as the half went on. A great ball down into the corner got Temple Villa in behind the PAFC Defence. An excellent ball was sent across the near post. It had to be dealt with, but the ball was unfortunately deflected past Leah Gibbons for an own goal. It was a tough way to concede a goal, but Temple Villa probably deserved it on the balance of play.

To get some badly needed game time into the players PAFC rotated all of their subs in before the half time break. Leah Brophy, Hannah Scully, Demi Byrne, Juliet Hajdukiewicz, Katie Holland and Katya Buckova all came in to get valuable minutes.

Temple Villa kept the pressure on at the start of the second half. The Portlaoise Midfield kept battling hard, but Temple Villa kept finding gaps and their passing worked some good chances. The second Temple Villa was a bit of PAFCs own making. A kick out routine went awry and a second chance to clear the lines was not taken. An excellent strike from just inside the box gave Leah Gibbons no chance in goal. A third goal came not long after. Again, the ball might have been cleared, but then a close range shot hit a hand and a penalty was awarded. No mistake was made with the finish to put Temple Villa 3-1 up.

PAFC continued to make changes and managed to find a better rhythm for the last 20 minutes of the game. Clodagh Booth was outstanding in midfield, ably supported by Zoe Dumbrell. Charlotte Lalor and Erin Kavanagh gave PAFC a goal threat throughout the game. Leah Brophy and Millie Kehoe both showed some lovely touches.

As always, every player worked their socks off. Clodagh Booth and Zoe Dumbrell are getting stronger and better with every game. Moya Ramsbottom and Ava Donovan did well for their first time out as a centre back pairing. All the midfielders battled hard and are always looking to play good passing football, even against very strong opponents whenever they get the chance. Players were asked to play in different positions and figure things out as they went, and all adapted well. Leah Brophy played 20 minutes at fullback, Erin Kavanagh cover both Midfield and Centre Forward. Clodagh Booth was excellent again and is starting to add some good passing as well as a decent effort on goal to all the great hard work she does every time she pulls on the jersey.

PAFC PoM – Clodagh Booth PAFC U/16 Girls: Leah Gibbons, Roisin Devoy, Hannah Scully, Ava Donovan, Aoibhe Ging, Clodagh Booth, Katya Buckova, Leah Brophy, Zoe Dumbrell, Juliet Hajdukiewicz, Moya Ramsbottom, Demi Byrne, Lola Conroy, Sarah Mousley, Katie Holland, Marvellous Aransi, Erin Kavanagh, Charlotte Lalor, Millie Kehoe, Precious Nhleko.

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