Division 1

Lucan Sarsfields 2-1  Kilmacud Crokes 0-3

Three scores apiece but for Lucan two of theirs were goals and that was the main difference between two evenly matched sides.

Crokes enjoyed the best of the opening 6 or 7 minutes but the only score on the board came from Caoimh Nic Eacháin after 2 minutes.  After that the scoring dried up for the Stillorgan crew and they would not raise another flag for all of 27 more minutes.

Not for the want of effort especially the talented Niamh Comerford who showed great leadership and skill throughout the game.

Lucan have created a knack of winning Féiles.  That self belief coming from the fact that they have been in the last nine finals winning five.  

A goal from Rebecca Flanagan after a defensive error put them ahead after 16 minutes and they were never headed after that.  Earlier Aoife Coffey had pulled the sides level with a pointed free.

All to play for in the second half but two minutes after the restart – Lucan struck a killer blow.  Games can turn on little things.  Crokes liked like launching a threatening attack but the player was penalised for overcarrying.  From the resultant free by Caitlin Maguire the ball was superbly collected by Cora O’Toole and she finished in style.

From there to the finish it was the turn of the Lucan defence to stand up.  A wonderful high catch by Roisin Egan stood out as Crokes pressed for scores.  Two fine points by Niamh Comerford cut the gap but Ali Dunne was a very sound keeper and protected her net.

Player of the Match – Niamh Comerford (Kilmacud Crokes)

Scorers:

Lucan Sarsfields: Cora O’Toole and Rebecca Flanagan (1-0 each); Aoife Coffey (0-1)

Kilmacud Crokes: Niamh Comerford (0-2); Caoimh Nic Earcháin (0-1)

Referee: Carla Hayes

Officials: Emma O’Leary and Eve Gilligan

Photos from Division 1 final

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Division 2

Castleknock 3-8  Naomh Bríd 0-3

Lots of stars in the making were on view in O’Toole Park in the four Féile na nGael finals played on Sunday.  One of them was a brilliant corner-forward from Castleknock by the name of Aisling O’Neill.

A beautiful wristy ciotóg, her every touch was classy and clever.  With the game in the balance for all of the first half, Aisling turned the game in ‘Knock’s direction just before the break when she doubled in the air just outside the small box to net a great goal.  She knew what she was doing and she knew she could execute the skill – it was no stroke of luck.  That put Castleknock 1-2 to 0-2 in front having trailed Naomh Bríd for most of the half.

Cora Galvin opened for the Russell Park crew after four minutes from a free and only for a fine save from Holly Hayes might have been further in front by the 5th minute.  Emma McMenamin displayed excellent footwork to earn herself the room to level the game in the 11th minute and four minutes later Castleknock were ahead when Caitlin Coffey stroked over a point.  But another Cora Galvin free brought parity before Aisling O’Neill’s intervention.

But after the break there was only one team in it.  Castleknock went from strenght to strength.  First a great catch and point by Emma Diamond followed by a point by Cara Feeney. Then Aisling O’Neill goaled in the 31st minute before two minutes Emma Stropp scored from from close range with assistance from Emma Diamond. 3-4 to 0-2 up and 8 minutes left was a big ask for Naomh Bríd but they battled to the finish especially Ava Duignan (daugher of former Dublin hurler Seán), Amy Quinn and Dara Loomes in goal.  Cora Galvin knocked over her third free to reduce the margin slightly.

Castleknock didn’t let up and a string of points from Emma Strappe, Sinead Waters, Emma Diamond and Emma McMenamin clinched a deserved victory.

Player of the Match: Aisling O’Neill (Castleknock)

Scorers:

Castleknock – Aisling O’Neill (2-0), Emma Strapp (1-0) Emma McMenamin (0-2), Emma Diamond (0-2), Sinead Waters, Emma Strappe, Cara Feeney and Caaitlin Coffey (0-1 each)

Naomh Bríd - Cora Galvin (0-3)

Referee: Fiona Dowler

Officials: Orla Beagan and Katie Feeney

Photos from Division 2 final 

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Division 3

Ballinteer St Johns 2-8  Good Counsel 1-2

Ballinteer St. Johns got off to the perfect start with an early goal from influential midfielder Jenny Grace Andrews. She also added a first half point. 2 points from Rachel Dolan and one from Ellie Dornan gave Ballinteer a 1-4 to 0-1 lead at half time. Good Counsel never stopped trying but all they had to show for their efforts at the break was a solitary point. This was a brilliant solo effort from centre back, captain and player of the match Eirin Kennedy who ran the length of the pitch to send over a delightful point. 

Photos from Division 3 final

Division 4

Lucan Sarsfields 0-8  Erins Isle 2-0

In this Division 4 final Erins Isle got off to the perfect start with a goal in the first minure from a long puck from imprerssive midfielder Molly King. But Lucan settled into the game and after 10 minutes had leveled the game with fine points from Kate Byrne, Phoiebe Shannon and Rachel Geoghegan. Isles went ahead again courtesy of a well struck 45 by influential captain Caoimhe O'Toole which ended up in the back of the net. Half time score Erins Isle 2-0 Lucan 0-3.

In the second half it was Lucan who were dominating the game and by mid way in the half they had levelled the game 0-6 to 2-0. isles had a great chance to go ahead immediately after this but unfortunately for them the well struck effort was just wide. Lucan tapped over 2 pointged freed to leave the final sacore Lucan 0-8 Isles 2-0.

Isles captain, putting her disappointment aside made a great speech as Gaeilge.

Scorers: Lucan Hannah Crowley 1-0, Phoebe Shannon 0-3, Rachel Geoghegan 0-2, Kate Bryne, Emma O'Connor, Lauren Dawson and Sinead Daly 0-1 each.

Erins OIsle Molly King 1-0 and Caoimhe O'Toole 1-0

 

Photos from Division 4 final

 

More to come