U12 Girls Cup Final

By admin

Brave Killala Girls Miss out on Glory

MANULLA 3 KILLALA 2
MANULLA were on the right end of an entertaining five goal contest at Milebush Park on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Hannah Flatley, two, and Emer Gilligan, proving the difference between the sides.

To their credit, Killala never gave up the battle, despite being three goals in arrears at the break, and no doubt the Yellow and Blue will be in another final in the not too distant future.

Despite the windy conditions at Milebush Park, Manulla began the game in positive fashion and just one minute into proceedings, they pinched the lead. Following some neat build-up play, Hannah Flatley won possession and she finished with some skill past Emma Munnelly.

Four minutes later, a cross from Megan Costello found Flatley but this time her header was saved by Munnelly.

Flatley was in inspired form and moments later, she was most unlucky to see her drive whistle inches wide.

Killala began to move the ball around the park with greater purpose as the half progressed and after some great work from Alison Munnelly, Ashling O’Donnell just missed out on guiding the former’s cross to the back of the net.

Manulla were wary of a Killala revival and on 14 minutes, Joe King’s troops added a second goal. A delightful through ball from Costello, released Emer Gilligan and after controlling possession, she unleashed an unstoppable effort beyond the reach of Emma Munnelly.

On 15 minutes, Manulla appeared to be out of sight, as they netted their third goal of the afternoon, courtesy of Flatley, who made a weaving run before applying a splendid finish.

Hannah Flatley almost completed a hat-trick shortly after, but this time her effort was thwarted by Emma Munnelly, with Flatley then seeing her rebound strike crash against the upright.

Manulla were eager to end the game as a contest and five minutes into the second half, they almost achieved that aim, but Chloe Tansey’s angled drive was thwarted by the alert Emma Munnelly.

As the half progressed, Killala upped the tempo and the coastal outfit went for broke. Alison Munnelly gave a busy display throughout this final and after making a neat run on 33 minutes (20 minutes per-half), she saw her strike hit the side-netting.

However, Killala did manage to peg a goal back on 37 minutes, courtesy of Collette Collins and this gave her team hope that all was not lost.

One minute later, Killala netted a second goal, as their captain Alison Munnelly’s sizzling strike hit the underside of the crossbar, before crossing the line, much to the delight of the Killala faithful.

During the dying embers of the game, Killala valiantly went in search of the leveller, but none was forthcoming, as Manulla held on to record the victory.

MANULLA: Jessica Nolan, Sinead Brennan, Chloe Durkan, Emer Gilligan, Megan Costello, Megan Staunton, Hannah Flatley. Subs: Lauren McLellan, Chloe Tansey, Kirsty Kelly.

KILLALA: Emma Munnelly, Alison Munnelly, Michelle Walker, Collette Collins, Niamh O’Donnell, Ashling O’Donnell, Caitlyn McLoughlin. Subs: Niamh Breslin, Ashling Bilbow, Rebecca Rooney, Shannon Cummins.

REF: Stephen Manning

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