Tower U15 ladies win shield title

ROUND Tower U15 ladies footballers were celebrating on Saturday when they overcame Raheny 5-11 to 6-6 to secure the Division Three Shield.

It looked like Towers were cruising to victory at half time after a strong first half performance in defense with Mary Kelly, Jemma Pluck, Ashley Trusler, Ella Behan and Madison Farrell all standing out.

Two great saves from keeper Zoe O’Brien kept the Raheny attack at bay and goals from Tara Kelly and Neasa Breen and points for Neasa Breen, Orlagh Ní Dhubhain, Sophie Doyle, Saoirse Maher saw the Clondalkin side led by 10 points at half time.

Raheny had the better of the second half with a strong comeback which put huge pressure on the Towers defense and saw them register two goals and a point without reply.

However, the Tower’s girls rallied with points from Alannah Casey and points and a goal from Kitty Quinlan saw them establish a seven-point cushion.

The northsiders weren’t finished and raised a gear which saw them score three quick goals in succession.

But two points from Towers Neasa Breen made it a one-point game to Raheny with two minutes to go.

In a dramatic finish, Towers midfielder Orlagh Ní Dhubhain won a Towers kick out deep inside her own half and went on a solo run up to the Raheny 21 before passing the ball into full forward Kitty Quinlan who had no problem finding the back of the net.

Captain Saoirse Maher saw to one last rally from Raheny with a courageous block which surely would have been a score just before the referee blew the full-time whistle to the delight of the Tower’s players.

Neasa Breen accounted for a goal and six points for Tower’s while Tara Kelly scored (2-0), Kitty Quinlan (2-1), Alannah Casey (0- 1), Sophie Doyle (0-1), Orlagh Ní Dhubhain (0-1) and Saoirse Maher (0-1).

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