Rockland B 5-12 Kerry/Donegal 3-8
June 15, 2021 By Amy Brett
Rockland secured the first silverware of the season Sunday after impressively beating Kerry/Donegal in the New York Ladies GAA Junior League final.
The Rockland side, who are all under 18, proved that age was no barrier as they swept aside a vastly more experienced Kerry/Donegal team at Frank Golden Park in Queens.
Even more remarkable was the fact that this was Rockland’s “B” or second string “adult” team. Senior and junior clubs all competed in the Junior League this year including Rockland’s “A” team.
Kerry/Donegal’s Michelle Dowd opened the scoring with a powerful point having charged up up the field from her own full-back line.
Rockland soon began to take the lion’s share of first-half possession and Fionnuala Selby notched 2-2 on the day for Rockland – including a spectacular strike that nestled into the top left-hand corner of the Kerry/Donegal net.
Rockland’s Amelia Leyden appeared to play in a free role and popped up almost everywhere on the pitch. The team was also well anchored by goalkeeper Ava Fitzsimmons who pulled off a number of crucial saves throughout the match.
The Rockies went into the break ahead by 3-4 to 5 points as the morning temperature began to rise. The game’s throw-in time was 10 a.m.
Rockland extended their lead to eight points after halftime on a scoreline of 4-8 to 1-6 and seemed to be in total control of matters.
However, Kerry/Donegal then introduced Marie Dargen and she made an immediate impact on proceedings – notching one goal and two points within eight minutes which brought the deficit back to two goals.
Dargen then bagged another goal to leave a single goal between the teams.
It appeared as though the momentum was now swinging back towards Kerry/Donegal and a comeback was on the cards.
In the end, it wasn’t to be and the Rockland ladies showed maturity beyond their years and never panicked.
Maura Durcan netted her second goal of the game and the team chipped over an additional four points without reply to settle matters and clinch the Annie Kearney Cup.
Leyden, Grace Kelliher and Kailey O’Connor were the standout performers for Rockland and they were ably assisted by the sharpshooting Sarah Donoghue who scored 1-5.
Kelly Keating impressed in midfield for Kerry/Donegal while Sarah Roche played well in the backs. Up front Sonia Clarke was busy all morning, Eileen Egan bagged a goal and two points while Courtney Traynor scored a brace of points.
To keep up to date with all the latest fixtures and results please follow the New York Ladies GAA Instagram page.
To submit a match report, please contact Michael Dorgan via email at [email protected].
Junior Teams 2021
O Donovan Rossa
Manhattan Gaels
Shannon Gaels
Leitrim
Setanta (new team this year)
Rockland B
St. Brigid’s
Senior Teams 2021
Cavan
Na Fianna
Rockland A
Kerry Donegal
