Brave Ballyer fall just short in final

BALLYFERMOT United U11 girls fell just short of a DDSL Division 4 & 5 cup title this weekend in a 2-1 defeat to Greystones united after extra time in Clonshaugh, in the AUL Complex, reports Rory Merriman.

The game got off to a slow start when a mix up between players in the Ballyer defense allowed for an easy effort for Greystones to put themselves 1-0 at the 20 minute mark.

Despite trailing at the break, the Dublin 10 side came out all guns blazing in the second half when Ballyfermot’s Holly Moore connected with the end of a corner outside the box to level the scoring.

Steady at the back, Greystones held on to the draw undeterred by Ballyer, who were doing everything right accept hitting the target.

The full-time whistle echoed around the AUL complex, signifying one thing, extra-time.

Extra time in the DDSL U11 girls’ final consisted of an additional 10 minutes of football, five minutes a half.

Unfortunately for Ballyfermot united, a free kick on the edge of the box in the first half of extra time was enough to secure a 2-1 victory for Greystones as the Dublin side failed to capitalize on any of their chances on goal in the 10 minutes.

Ballyfermot United lost out 2-1 in a close contest with Greystones United

Greystones were crowned Division 4/5 champions in what was a dog fight of battle in the DDSL U11 girls final.

“Look, I couldn’t have been prouder of the girls on the day,” Ballyfermot manager Paul Moore told The Echo.

“Greystones are in Division 4 and we’re in division 5 so to put in a performance like that against a team in a division ahead of us was great.

“We’re the first schoolgirl team in Ballyfermot to make a cup final, not to mention that was the girls’ first loss in two years as a team,” he added.

“I felt that we deserved a win after that performance, but to be fair to Greystones, they were excellent.

“Myself and my management team Eimer Kelly, Gary McKenzie and Daryl Henderson couldn’t be prouder of the girls,” Moore concluded