Indoor Soccer

Girls are Munster champs!

On Easter Saturday we made the trip to Tralee as our girls U13 squad were representing Limerick in the Munster finals. The draw was not a favourable one as we faced Kerry champions Beaufort in the quarter final with the winners to play Cork. We lined up with Noirin in goal, Katie and Aoife in backs, with Anna and Laoise up front. Orlaith, Una and Reba were in reserve. The game started very evenly but as the half wore on we started to come under pressure from a skilful and physically imposing Beaufort team. Our opponents made this period of dominance count as they scored two superb goals from distance to leave us 2 down. It was important we got a foothold in the game and just before half time we got a breakthrough when Katie found herself in an attacking position and got on the end of a Laoise cross to finish expertly into the far corner. Half time 2-1 to Kerry and in truth it could have been worse for us. The intensity of the game didn’t drop for a second as we entered the second half. Within 5 minutes of the restart the gap was back to two as Kerry scored again. At this stage the prospects of progression to the semis looked grim, but the girls dug in and fought harder for every ball. Anna soon reduced the deficit and that was quickly followed by another from the impressive Katie. The game was up for grabs now and the atmosphere inside the hall was electric. With five minutes remaining, Anna popped up with the lead goal to send the Croagh/Kilfinny supporters wild with delight. The remaining minutes were tense and nervy but we defended brilliantly and hung on to the final whistle to secure an epic win. Final score Limerick 4, Kerry 3.

Enniskeane from Cork were our semi final opponents. The game started slowly and it seemed as though the Kerry match had taken something out of the girls. We were on top and dominating possession and chances but a combination of poor finishing and some lapses in concentration allowed Cork to take a 2-1 lead to half time. Aoife scored our goal with a rocket from the half way line.

We picked things up as the second half progressed, with the introduction of Orlaith up front and goals from Aoife (pen) and a brace from Anna had us 4-2 ahead before Cork scored a late goal to make the final score Limerick 4 Cork 3. In truth the scoreline didn’t reflect our dominance, but a win is a win and we now found ourselves in the final.

After wins over Clare and Tipperary, Dungarvan from Waterford were our final opponents. The girls were keen to take this opportunity and from the start had the upper hand. We led 3-0 at half time with goals from Anna and 2 penalties converted by Aoife. Early in the second half Waterford conceded another spot kick and Aoife completed her hat trick from the spot to put the game beyond doubt. We scored another 4 before the end (all from Anna) and subs Orlaith, Una and Reba were all brought on before the final whistle.

After the game the girls received their gold medals from co-ordinator Patsy O’Connell and captain for the day Aoife raised aloft the Munster shield to the delight of all our supporters. The girls now go on to represent Munster at the national finals in Athlone on the weekend of May 25th/26th. Well done girls on a fantastic achievement!

A special word of thanks to all our supporters (young and not so young!!), who travelled to Tralee to cheer on the girls, and who brought colour and excitement to the competition. At times during the games they gave the team the lift they needed to push on. Hopefully they’ll all be in Athlone at the end of May, so start making the flags and banners now!!

Thanks to the co-ordinator Patsy O’Connell and referee Damien O’Sullivan for their time and efforts during the competition.

Finally, a big thank you to manager Tom Hayes for his time, effort and commitment to this team.

Squad: Aoife Molyneaux, Anna Shanagher, Orlaith Kelleher, Laoise Shanahan, Noirin Lenihan, Una Kiely, Katie Condon, Reba Kenny. Manager: Tom Hayes.

TALENT

Group Singing county success!

Congratulations to Edel Kelleher, Aoife Murphy and Laoise Shanahan who will represent Limerick at the U14 group singing competiton in Athlone at the end of May. This is following their victory at the county finals held in Askeaton recently. The girls performed a lovely rendition of “See Beneath Your Beautiful” by Emeli Sande and Labyrinth to impress the judges on the night. Well done girls and best of luck at the national finals! Aoife also competed in the solo singing category but despite performing superbly she was not in the medals on this occasion, reflecting the high quality on show in this category on the night.

Art

A big well done to the following boys who won medals at the county Art finals held in Rathkeale recently. Billy Lenihan – silver in boys U8 and Kevin Dee – bronze in boys U12. They received their medals at the presentation ceremony held in the Woodlands House Hotel last week.

KILFINNY N.S. – PARENTS ASSOCIATION

Munster Champions

Congratulations to Aoife Molyneaux Captain Laoise Shanahan, Una Kiely, Orlaith Kelleher, Anna Shanaher, Reeba Kenny, Katie Condon, Noirin Lenihan and Coach Tom Hayes who won gold medal in Tralee on Saturday last for 5-side indoor soccer.

Cake and Plant Sale

Please note that our cake and plant sale has been postponed to a later date. New date will be confi-rmed next week.