Terrific treble for St Mark’s U13s

ST MARK’S under 13s completed a terrific treble with a 0-13 to 2-3 win over St Kevin’s/Killian’s at Kingswood Park on Sunday.

A point in the dying minutes from forward Kiana O’Connor put daylight between the sides as the Springfield side stormed to the Under 13 Division Eight Cup title.

Having won the camogie equivalent seven days previous, St Mark’s added the football cup to the league silverware they claimed earlier on the season.

Despite this, St Kevin’s/Killian’s, who were on their home turf, brought the game to Mark’s from the very first whistle and a titanic battle ensued as the two teams locked horns over an hour for the spoils.

It was a very tight game with the two well matched teams trading scores in a tit-for-tat clash in front of a full crowd.

At the break, the teams were inseparable and just like they had on several occasions throughout the year, St Mark’s found an extra gear on the second-half.

The powerhouse coupling of Debbie Adesaye and Holly Doyle in the half-back line ensured that very few Kevin’s/Killians deliveries got through their defence.

Midfielders Abigail Byrne and Grace Green grew into the occasion and really found their rhythm when their team needed them most, putting enormous pressure on the Kilnamanagh backline.

St Kevin’s/Killian’s never went away and kept looking for openings, but with pressure mounting, the dam finally burst with only minutes left.

The ever-skilful Layla Murphy was relentless in the half-forward line with her numerous runs and dummy solos, and with lightning speed behind her, she catapulted Mark’s into the lead.

And despite the huge effort needed to carve out a three-point lead, it was only when Kiana O’Connor stepped up and swung over a vital point from play that Mark’s could relax in the final seconds.