Under 12 girls All County Championship Final
Killeavy 3-07 Crossmaglen 3-03
What a match this was! A talented Crossmaglen outfit gave their all but In the end it was the greater hunger and passion for success of the Killeavy girls that snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat. Killeavy have been unbeaten all year and were going into the game as favourites but they were rocked by an early setback when Crossmaglen goaled after only two minutes. Megan Boyle started the fightback with a strong run and shot that went narrowly wide but when she repeated her trick only a minute later, the ball sialed into the top corner and Killeavy were level. A Rebecca Gamble point had Killeavy in front only for Crossmaglen to come back with a similar score. For the remaining 20 minutes of the half it was all Killeavy and points from Colleen McVeigh, Orla McParland and Megan Boyle (2) stretched their lead before Bridgetta Quinn scored a marvellous individual goal on the stroke of half-time to send Killeavy in with a 7 point lead.
Proud Captain Meabh Quinn accepts the trophy.
Half Time: Killeavy 2-05 Crossmaglen 1-01
If the Killeavy support though the second half would be plain sailing it proved to be just the opposite as Crossmaglen came roaring back into the match. The first 20 minutes of the second half belonged to them as they won ball after ball in the midfield sector and took the lead with eight minutes to go. This period of the game could have been much worse for Killeavy had it not been for heroic defending, in particular from Anna O'Hare, Aine McParland, Chloe Baker and a couple of excellent saves from Gemma Callaghan. Killeavy got the break they needed when a misplaced pass in the Crossmaglen defence saw the ball break to Bridgetta Quinn. Thirty yards out from goal, there was only one outcome in her mind and she weaved past three Crossmaglen defenders before crashing the ball to the net to regain the lead. This score seemed to break the hearts of Crossmaglen and Killeavy finished strongly with Megan Boyle scoring two points from frees. Six nervous minutes of injury time were played before the final whistle which released the large Killeavy crowd into scenes of jubilation and some relief. For the second time in a week, Killeavy's ladies were crowned champions of Armagh. Chairman of the Ladies Board, Larry Crilly presented the trophy to captain Meabh King and the player of the match award to two-goal hero Bridgetta Quinn. Well done to players and management, Paddy King, Aine Gamble and Maeve O'Neill and thanks also to Gerry Watters for the post match barbecue back at the club. Special thanks to Andrew O'Keefe and the Corn Dolly staff for the celebration cake.
The Celebration Cake!
Killeavy 3-07 Crossmaglen 3-03
Brigetta Quinn deservedly wins the Player Of the Match award!