John Lockes add U16 A County Title to League Title won this year

John Lockes 2-9 Windgap 1-8 (AET)

By Liam Moore, John Lockes

On a bitterly cold December morning in Dunamaggin, with visibility low due to a freezing fog that never lifted, John Lockes captured the Roinn A county title after a titanic struggle that went to extra time.

Windgap were out of the blocks the quicker and raced into an early 1-3 to 1 point lead, with frees from Ciara O’Shea.

The Lockes girls didn’t panic and gradually took a grip on the game, with points from Aisling O’Sullivan, Emily Phelan and Leah O’Donovan drawing them level at HT, 1-3 to 0-6.

The game remained tight throughout until the Lockes went into a 2 point lead after a brilliant goal from Leah O’Donovan, who was a constant threat with her speed and direct play. Caoimhe Kelly won a great ball down the left, broke away and fed Leah who took on her marker and finished clinically to the net.

John Lockes were dominant now and had a chance to push the lead out to 4 points when awarded a penalty, however the brilliantly struck penalty from the outstanding Rachel Phelan shaved the post and went wide.

Windgap scored another 5 frees in the second half to leave the match tied at full time, 1-8 to 1-8.

Extra time remained a battle and neither side could get on the scoreboard. Then in final 2 minutes, Rachel Phelan pounced on a free that came back of the post to finish to the net. From the puckout, the Lockes girls attacked again, winning a free which was expertly slotted over by Aisling O’Sullivan.

The final whistle followed and John Lockes were deservedly crowned County Champions.

Scorers: John Lockes: Aisling O’Sullivan 0-6 (4 frees), Leah O’Donovan 1-1, Rachel Phelan 1-0, Emily Phelan 0-2

Windgap: Ciara O’Shea 1-7 (frees), Caoimhe Power 0-1

John Lockes – Ali Audoire, Chloe Tennyson, Maria Ryan, Farrah Ryan Burke, Eva Roche, Robyn Corcoran, Sarah Keher, Aisling O’Sullivan, Rachel Phelan, Aoibhne Corcoran, Emily Phelan, Abby Bryan, Leah O’Donovan, Caoimhe Kelly, Nessa Godden

Subs – Abby Egan, Ailish Mulcahy, Lily Quigley, Chloe Bailey, Claire Somers Saunders, Ellie Roantree, Isabelle Norris, Eadaoin Lynch, Ruth O’Sullivan, Robyn Donovan Cooke, Lily O’Shea, Isla Comerford

Windgap – Jenny Saunders, Cathy Power, Chloe Drennan, Ellie Brazil, Laura Doyle, Ona Kennedy, Moya Egan, Ciara O’Shea, Caoimhe Power (Capt), Kate O’Brien, Aisling O’Shea, Rachel Cullen, Ava Phelan, Alaina O’Shea, Shonna King

Subs – Ellie Power, Tamara Whelan, Kate Kelleher, Elena Saunders, Sarah Power, Lucy Crowley, Abbie Vaughan, Naveah Drennan, Lauren Enright inj, Anna Miller, Abby O’Neill, Lorna Miller, Jessica White