UL Battle Back to earn First Points of the Campaign

Maguires Pitch 1

UL 2-5 DCU 0-11

UL came from behind to earn their first point of the Division 2 ladies football league. This game was a slow burner initially which may have been due to the fact that the game started half an hour late as the referee arrived late.

Both teams employed a sweeper as scores were at a premium in the opening half. DCU started quickly and hit the opening score of the game before UL’s Roisin Ambrose brushed off several defenders to level the game. UL struggled to create scoring chances as their final pass was not coming off. DCU took the lead once more from a free before the hard-working Norma Mahony levelled the game for the second time.

DCU enjoyed a purple patch as they hit three points in a row in a ten-minute spell. UL struggled to create opportunities and were guilty of some poor shooting during this spell of the game. They kept pressing and scored a wonderful team goal. Beatrice Casey cut out a dangerous attack before the home side worked the ball up the field in to the hands of Roisin Ambrose. The tireless midfielder weaved her way past three defenders before slotting the ball under the DCU goalkeeper. This was the final score of the half as the teams were level at 1-2 to 0-5.

DCU started the second half strongly and hit two points in a row. UL struck back through Norma Mahony before the sides traded points, Kiara Giles curling over an excellent point for the hosts. DCU hit two more points to put them two ahead as their runners from deep were causing problems for UL’s defence. A frantic minute of action saw UL goalkeeper Rachel Mulvihill made an excellent low save to deny DCU before UL turned the ball over and almost scored a goal themselves. They pointed the ’45 to reduce the gap to two before DCU pointed a free.

DCU lead by three but UL went close to a goal when Aoife Stapleton’s shot went agonisingly wide of the far post. UL were not to be denied however as a flowing team move, started by goalkeeper Rachel Mulvihill eventually saw the ball break to centre forward Kiara Giles who expertly placed the ball low in to the bottom corner of the net to level the game. UL continued to push for a late winner but in the end they earned a share of the spoils and their first point of the league campaign after an opening day defeat to Sligo IT.

Rachel Mulvihill
Meadhbh McCarthy
Aodhnait McAdam
Emma Gildea
Gráinne Ryan
Beatrice Casey
Cora Maher
Roisín Ambrose (1-1)
Tara Kelly
Katie Mahony
Kiara Giles (1-1)
Norma Mahony (0-2)
Aoife Stapleton
Ciara Hickey (0-1)
Caitriona O’Reilly

22.Emma McCarthy for 2. Meadbh McCarthy

Lisa Reid for 14. Ciara Hickey
Orla McHale for 12. Norma Mahony
Chelsey Blade for 10. Katie Mahony

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