LADIES GAA | Gilmore’s goals lead Glyde/Westerns girls to U14 Division Four title

U14 Division Four League Final | Glyde Westerns 6–10 Hunterstown Rovers 4–10

The Glyde Rangers/Westerns combination took the Louth Ladies U14 Division Four League title after a thrilling final in Ardee on Wednesday evening.

A good sized crowd saw both sides serve up incredible entertainment with the unlucky losers taking a two-point advantage into the break thanks to an Amber Quaile goal on the stroke of half time.

It took a while for the mid-Louth combination side to get going as Hunterstown started the better and they raced into a 2–2 to 0–1 lead after 16 minutes with Ava Crosbie and Naoise McDonnell getting the goals.

The Tallanstown outfit got themselves back into the game with goals of their own from from the impressive Sarah Gilmore and Sarah Freeman to give them a 2–5 to 2–4 lead by the 26th minute.

An early Gilmore point, followed by a fine goal by Naoise McDonnell put the Glyde/Westerns back in front but Rovers hit back with another well taken goal by Ciara Martin.

This score signalled the start of a 15 minute purple patch which saw Glyde/Westerns take complete control and hit 3–2 to a single point in reply to put the tie beyond Hunterstown.

To their credit, Rovers never gave up and hit the last three points of the match but try as they might they just could not find the goal which would have set up a grandstand finish.

Glyde/Westerns were well served by the outstanding Sarah Gilmore who hit 3–7 of her side’s tally and by Katie Finlay and Sarah Freeman in defence. Up front, Naoise McDonnell and Ellie Smyth also performed well.

After the game, Louth Ladies Co Board Chairman Dermot Woods presented the trophy to joint captain’s Leah Halpenny and Amy Farrell.

GLYDE/WESTERNS: Orla Haughey, C McCullagh, C Thornton, Katie Finlay, Shauna Lynch, Sarah Freeman (1–0), Erin Brennan, Leah Halpenny, Amy Farrell (0–1), Sarah Gilmore (3–7), Rebecca Watters (0–1), Ava Crosbie (1–0), Charlotte Osbourne, Naoise McDonnell (1–2), Ellie Smyth (1–0).

HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS: Rebecca O’Brien, Niamh Finnegan, Ava McNally, Ella Duff Fedigan, Chloe Lynch, Amber Quaile (1–0), Ella Gallagher, Samantha McCann, Aoibheann Carolan (1–4), Ciara Martin (1–1), Niamh O’Boyle, Orlaith Carolan (2–2), Rebecca McCarron (0–1), Ruth Gillespie (0–1), Ranalat Kako (0–1).

REFEREE: Jim Shannon (Magheracloone).