Write a comment
After waiting six weeks for their second league fixture of the season the Under 16 girls team had to cancel it due to a flooded Jack Mackin Park. A challenge match was arranged to get the girls back onto the pitch against Carrickcruppen. Exams meant not all the panel were available but 21 girls made their way up the Camlough road for the fixture.
Cruppen were quick out of the blocks and took the first score. Once the Bosco girls in midfield got organised they picked up where we left off our last matches. Scores from Olivia McAvoy, Piera Caffola and Terri Quinn were followed by a great goal from Piera dropping the ball over the keepers head from 25 yards out. Cruppen didn’t lie down and only great defending from the Bosco full back line of Taylor McConkey, Alex Shorthall and Niamh O’Reilly, forced their forwards to snatch at shots with resultant wides. The Half back line of Sinead Patterson, Carly Gibney and Sinead O’hare provided good protection and a launching pad for the attacks.
Nicole Osbourne played well in particular winning opposition kick outs allowing Bosco to keep the pressure on.
Half TimeBosco1 -8Cruppen0-4
At half time changes were made to introduce all players to the Bosco team and a number of positional changes made too. This allowed Cruppen to build and put the re organised Bosco defence under pressure. After Cruppen got an opening point, Bosco conceded 5 goals in quick concession.
Good work by the half backs and midfield put early ball in to Lydia Leary who had moved to the edge of the square and resulted in a well taken goal. Aoife Jackson was reintroduced and she continued her opportunist goal scoring run, with two well taken goals from around 20 yards out. A finely balanced match entailed with Bosco scraping over the line to win by 2 points. Giving manager Italo Cafolla and acting captain Terri Quinn an early birthday present.
Full TimeBosco 4- 15 Cruppen 5 -10
Bosco Players
Roisin Kelly, Sinead Patterson, Alex Shorthall, Sinead O’hare, Carly Gibney, Naoimh O’Reilly, Taylor McConkey, Lydia leary (1-0), Olivia McAvoy (0-3), Terri Quinn (0-3), Piera Cafolla (1-3) Dearbhla Quinn (0-4) Nicole Osbourne, Vicky Gratton (0-1) Aoife Jackson (2-0), Niamh Hughes (0-1), Niamh McCullough, Milly Gilbert, Lauren Kelly, Clionagh Doherty, Caoimhe Larkin
U 14’s
Early in the league campaign and in their first meeting, Saval finished that bit better and were much more economical with a more efficient conversion rate. Unfortunately on Wednesday past it was a case of déjà vu as Bosco seemed to be rusty and unwilling or unable to deliver the basic footballing skills that were required.
They started enthusiastically with Toby Woods securing a free that was converted in the 12th minute by Micheal Dillon. Indeed Micheal was to be one of the few Bosco lads who provided a consistent and workmanlike performance throughout the entire game.
The scrappy first half ended level but the second period was pretty flat with Bosco missing numerous opportunities including several frees that might have left teams sharing the spoils. Mention should be made of Ciaran Byrne who denied Saval a certain score and Stephen O’Connor who managed to convert a lovely point under pressure. Se Irwin was also in good form harrying at all opportunities and generally making life difficult for his markers.
This is a short match report that reflects that, all in all, this was a pretty dismal and frustrating performance from this squad who have proven before that they have the ability to win the difficult games. A much greater effort and significantly more courage in 50/50 situations will need to be applied if they are to remain in the top slot of this league.
Final score Saval 4:5, St. John Bosco 3:6
Nest scheduled competitive fixture is home to Baileghlas Monday 25th June
U 12 Girls
The Bosco u12 girls scoring a resounding victory in this Inter County fixture against Crossmaglen Rangers played in the Armagh Athletics Ground as part of the Senior Ladies Ulster Championship final day.
Aoibheann Quinn opened the scoring with a well taken goal following an accurate through ball from Orlagh Burke in midfield. Crossmaglen responded with a great goal and a point from Ciara McSorley. The level of skill and commitment on display by both teams was excellent but the Bosco forwards of Amy O’Hanlon, Aoibheann Quinn and Nicola Downey continued to linked up extremely well and Nicola found the net with goal number two. At this stage Crossmaglen began to apply pressure through Colleen Daly but the Bosco backs of Eden Casey, Sarah O’Hanlon and Rebekah Doyle stood firm and Goalkeeper Rachel Hanna pulled off a number of great saves. Aine McCabe supported the forwards from midfield and her work rate was rewarded when she found the net following good work from Nicola Downey. In the final minutes, with Crossmaglen pressing for a score the Bosco Girls moved the ball quickly down the pitch and Aoibheann Quinn scored her second goal after her attempted fist over the bar came back off the crossbar.
This was a proud day for the Bosco girls and the large group of parents and family who made the trip to Armagh and the girls enjoyed the experience of playing in front of a large championship crowd. There is no doubt that in the future many of these girls will return again to play on Ulster finals day, but this time as senior players in the red and black of County Down.
The girls were presented with their medals by Hugh Devenney from the GAA Ulster Council
Final Score: John Bosco Newry 4 : 0Crossmaglen Rangers 1 : 1
U 10s
The Under 10 tournament is being held on Sunday 1st July in St Patrick’s Primary School. Starting at 11:30 a.m. teams confirmed to date include Ballyholland, Mayobridge, Saval and Warrenpoint with one more team to confirm.
