Last
year’s league winners, it was a shock to all to see NUIG in a relegation battle
with UCD this week.
After a good win against
Sligo IT last week, NUIG went into this game full of confidence on Tuesday
evening. Two goals in the first five minutes for UCD left NUIG with a mountain
to climb. Shauna Fox got a goal back for the tribeswomen with a header from a Lisa
Casserly corner. Evvie Lowndes was unfortunate not to bring NUIG level with UCD
as she saw her effort saved off the line. However, two questionable free kicks
led to two goals for UCD, and another goal just before half time to rub salt in
the wounds of the away team. The score line was 5-1 at half time.
The team re-grouped at
half-time. They knew it was going to be a tough half, but with a slight breeze
in their backs and belief from their management of John “Beano†Hynes and
Padraic De Burca, they started the first half optimistically. If UCD can score
five goals, why can’t NUIG? A credit to themselves, the girls had a “never say
die†attitude and pressed the Dubs the entire half. UCD’s playmaker and scorer
of two goals, Ciara Grant, was kept quiet in the second half. Louise Creaven
was barely tested in the NUIG goal. The pressure eventually led to Chelsi
Curran scoring a well taken volley. Next up was Casserly to make the deficit
smaller, and Laura Carroll scoring with her weaker right foot from a tight
angle to bring NUIG within one goal. With twenty minutes to go, NUIG had
belief.
Now playing three at the
back in Aoife Walsh, Fox and Ciara Lynagh, the Galway Girls were constantly
pressing and had all the momentum. Curran and Marley Duncan on the wings kept
UCD’s fullbacks busy. In the middle, Michelle Doherty and Alison McGonagle were
creating many chances. McGonagle came agonisingly close to bring the score to
5-5; however the team watched as her ball somehow curled the wrong side of the
post. Corners, 1-on-1s, free kicks and even an indirect free kick in the 6 yard
box, NUIG were severely unlucky not to bring the game to extra time. With
minutes on the clock and darkness falling fast, UCD sealed victory to send NUIG
down. Final score: UCD 6-4 NUIG.
The team have many positives
to take from a battling and valiant second half.
A special mention must be
made to veterans Rachel Keyes and Maebh Coleman, who came to support their
former teammates.
Team:
Louise Creaven, Aoife Walsh, Laura Carroll, Shauna Fox, Ciara Lynagh, Michelle
Doherty, Marley Duncan, Alison McGonagle, Chelsi Curran, Evvie Lowndes, Lisa
Casserly, Mollie Farrell, Shauna Gallagher, Emma Horgan, Ashley Stappenbeck,
Sarah Peters.