Eastern Gaels Ladies got our season off to a bright start on Friday night (February 28, 2025) with a good performance away to Carnaross, picking up three valuable League points in Division 8.
The visitors were quick out of the blocks with scores from Caoimhe Cairns and Aoibhinn Butler before debutant Kellyann Buchanan chipped in with a quickfire 2-01 to open up a nine point lead after ten minutes.
It wasn’t all one way traffic however and Carnaross soon had their first score, a point from play, before a smart Caoimhe Horan save denied the hosts a goal. At the other end Kellyann hit the angle of the post, then Emma O’Sullivan crashed the ball off the crossbar before Caoimhe put the ball over the bar.
Some good approach work by Siofra Murphy then saw Emma goal with Caoimhe adding a point from a free after a foul on Emma leaving the score at 3-05 to 0-01 at the end of the first quarter.
Emma added a point to our tally before a youthful Carnaross side hit a real purple patch. The home side reeled off 1-03 without reply in a productive five minute spell before Kellyann steadied the ship with a couple of excellent points from play. Alison Boyle was marshalling the Gaels defence well in tandem with Cliodhna Cairns in front of her, with their reading of the game snuffing out a number of dangerous attacks.
Wing backs Kate O’ Sullivan and Siofra Murphy made endless runs into the opposition half, carrying ball and linking with our midfield and forwards.
Some good work from Meg Sowray saw Kellyann palm the ball home for a first half hat-trick on 26 minutes. A couple of minutes later Caoimhe and Emma combined for the latter to slot another goal.
Carnaross came again before half time registering two fine points with a point from Emma sandwiched in between.
Half time: Carnaross 1-06, Eastern Gaels 5-09
Grace Milner and Caoimhe Walsh controlled the midfield in the first half and continued this throughout the second half, ensuring Gaels had a plentiful supply of possession.
We started the second half strongly with Annaleigh McGuinness and Kate O’Sullivan registering early points before Emma chipped in with a brace. Annaleigh pointed again before Kellyann capped an already memorable debut with a fourth goal.
Kate Ball and Katie Burke were solid in the full back line and linking with the half back line before Katie B had to retire with a bruised ankle.
On 18 minutes Caoimhe pointed a free before Carnaross got their first score of the half. Aoibhinn then saw a goal bound effort pushed over the bar before hitting the post and that completed the scoring for the Gaels.
The home side finished strongly however and scored two good goals in the last couple of minutes leaving a final score of Carnaross 3-07, Eastern Gaels 6-16.
The Ladies will play Kilbride away next on Sunday, 9 March.
Eastern Gaels: Caoimhe Horan, Kate Ball, Alison Boyle, Katie Burke, Siofra Murphy, Cliodhna Cairns, Kate O’Sullivan (0-01), Grace Milner, Caoimhe Walsh, Caoimhe Cairns (0-04, 2f), Emma O’Sullivan (2-04), Meg Sowray, Aoibhinn Butler (0-02), Kellyann Buchanan (4-03), Annaleigh McGuinness (0-02).
Ger Doyle, Megan Cromwell, Kate Cromwell, Amy Lowthe, Leah Maguire.
