Ladies Football
other way, to training and supporting our older players to get to the County Final in order to be promoted from Junior to Intermediate to Senior level. Those who train and encourage our teams are vital whether they be trainers, mentors, supporters or committee members. The common aim amongst all is: Enjoyment.
The following is a brief synopsis of a given match at each level of our club during 2010.
Under 8's
On a pleasant sunny summer's evening in August the U8's welcomed the Kinsale panel to Innishannon for a friendly game. A game enjoyed by both teams and the excitement and delight of these young players was truly infectious.
Under 10's
It was a bright, partly cloudy start which developed into lovely June sunshine, tempered only by a gentle breeze. Perfect weather for what transpired to be a perfect day for the first U10 Ladies football blitz of the season. Eight teams togged out and played on three pitches including teams from Clonakilty, Rosscarbery, Bandon, Kinsale and Dohenys all contesting the day.
Under 12's (A County and West Cork Finalists)
These girls travelled west to St Colums GAA grounds in Kealkil in August for a double match against Beara. It was a lovely sunny morning in a beautiful part of the county and thanks to the Beara club for organising this midway venue for these matches.
The Valley Rovers girls dug deep in a very tough match in very warm weather and they won the first match in a convincing fashion on a scoreline. After a break for refreshments the second game was even closer with Valleys leading at all stages and winning by the slightest of margins of just 1 point.
A very determined defence made up of Kate O'Mahony, Ellie Kiely, Marog Murphy, Meave O'Brien, Rachel O Sullivan, & Laura Brew held their positions well and ensured that scores for Beara were kept to a minimum. The hard-working midfield duo of Sarah Murphy & Michelle Cottrell showed great strength and stamina and fed some lovely ball to the forwards. These were Ciara Murphy, Aileen Cremin, Grace O Reilly, Helen Lynch, Ellen Casey & Eimer Kiely who kept the scores flowing. All subs, Aoife Reilly, Emma O'Brien, Flo Dorrington, & Darra Kiely were needed for both matches.
Under 14's (West Cork League Finalist; West Cork
Championship winners and County Semi-Finalist)
Our under 14 panel met Rosscarbery on a damp October evening in Ahiohill. The Valley Rovers girls started well and went ahead at the start of the match with three consecutive points, but Rosscarbery came back into the game with a goal. A game being played under wet conditions
meant that although Valleys were leading at half time by two points, the match could still be won by either team.
Everyone played with great team spirit. Valleys defence was very solid with Jessica Woods, Mary Ellen Sweetnam, Eleanor Murphy, Jennifer Murphy, Megan O'Brien, Leona Murphy and Caroline Murphy all playing well and although Ross had a number of shots on target, the Valley Rovers
goalkeeper Megan Collins made some brilliant saves during the match. Both mid-fielders, Lisa Lynch and Eimear Cummins did great work up and down the pitch with Eimear scoring a great goal in the third quarter. With the wind and rain scores were limited but forwards Ciara Richardson, Aoibheann Harte, Emily Palmer, Katie Lynch, Michelle O'Regan, Roisin O'Regan and Sophie Murphy never gave up.
The teams were level late into the final quarter when Valleys were awarded a penalty. Michelle O'Regan stepped forward and the ball found the back of the net. Valleys defence now came under renewed pressure from the Rosscarbery girls and every one of them gave one hundred and ten percent ensuring Valley Rovers took victory and the West Cork Championship at the final whistle.
This was an outstanding team effort based on a very solid defence, an excellent mid-field, and a forward line that was full of movement. Well done girls.
U16's (West Cork Championship winners and County Quarter-Finalist)
Our 16 team had their first home game of the current league v Kinsale in April at Innishannon. It was Kinsale who got a flying start hitting three early goals. But when our girls warmed to the task they started to claw back the deficit and teams were on par before half time.
The second half saw the Valley Girls being decisive in their play and combined well to control the game. This was a fine team performance with great team work throughout.
Making up the panel: Orla MacEnallen, Niamh Keohane, Laoighse McCarthy, Connie Hawkes, Joanmarie O'Leary, Leona Murphy, Molly O'Sullivan, Meg O'Sullivan, Tessa Crowley, Eimear Cummins, Julie Callanan, Michelle O'Regan, Aoife Cummins, Audrey Walsh, Orlagh Ryan, Niamh
Glavin, Emma O'Donovan, Aoibhinn O'Callaghan, Ruth Callanan, Mary Ellen Sweetman, Ciara Richardson, Niamh Morgan, Aoife Donegan, Katie O'Sullivan and Megan O'Brien.
Minors (County Finalist)
Glanworth were our opponents in the County Semi-Final. The game was played in October in Glanmire. From early on we dominated and thankfully had recovered our point scoring form, with a substantial lead at half time the second half was a more even affair and we ran out comfortable winners.
The Squad are: Tessa Hawkes, Jessie Hawkes, Audrey Walsh, Julie O'Mahony, Fiona O'Sullivan, Joan-Marie O'Leary, Ena Coughlan, Julie Callanan, Eimear O'Regan, Katie Richardson, Aoife Cummins, Tessa Crowley, Marie Forde, Niamh O'Shea, Connie Hawkes, Emma O'Donovan, Niamh Glavin, Orlagh Ryan, Meg O'Sullivan, Molly O'Sullivan, Ruth Callanan, Laoighse McCarthy, Michelle O'Regan, Eimear Cummins, Leona Murphy, Ciara Richardson, Mary Ellen
Sweetman and Megan O'Brien.
At the time of submitting for publication we now face old friends Gabriel Rangers in the County Final Replay.
U21's (2009 County Winners)
It was not until March 2010 that the 2009 panel played and won the Under 21 B County Final v. Mallow.
This was a wonderful team performance from Tessa Hawkes in goal and excellent defence of Julie O'Mahony, Vivien Melia, Aisling Glavin, Shauna McCarthy, Lucy Hawkes, Ena Coughlan.
The hard working Eimear O'Regan & Anne O'Donovan at midfield and a buzzing forward sextet of Claire Palmer, Katie McCarthy, Katie Richardson, Marie Barrett, Maryanne Hawkes & Orla Deasy captain. There were also great performances from the substitutes Tessa Crowley, Emma
O'Donovan, Jessie Hawkes, Elaine Forde, and Niamh O'Shea. The club has an abundance of talent with the remaining members of the panel Marie Forde, Fiona O'Sullivan, Connie Hawkes, Julie Callanan, Aoife Cummins, Audrey Walsh and our injury victims Sile Johnson & Sinead O'Shea.
Intermediates (Division 2 League Winners and County Finalist)
Valleys Intermediate team topped the league with Nemo Rangers and met in the final in Ballincollig in June.
Having repulsed a few Valley Rovers attacks Nemo started the better with a goal by Helen Jones and a point by Niamh Dwyer. Gradually Valley Rovers worked their way into the game with a point by Tessa Crowley and a cracking goal by Maryanne Hawkes. The remainder of the half was a ding dong battle with Valley Rovers wasting chances by going for goals. The scoring was restricted
to 2 points for each side Maria Gibbons and Geraldine Rea for Nemo, Anne O'Donovan and Sile Johnson for Valleys. Half time scores all level at 1-03 each.
Nemo again started the second half the better. A fisted goal by Geraldine Rea was followed by a point and the pressure was back on Valley Rovers. They responded well with 3 points from Anne O'Donovan (2 from frees) and 1 from Sile Johnson to tie the game. Katie Richardson scored a wonderful point for Valley Rovers but Nemo responded with a point. Katie McCarthy chipped in
with a point and Sile added another point. Kelly Sugrue had a great shot turned over the bar by Tessa Hawkes in the Valleys goal as the tension mounted. Anne and Sile added 2 points for Valleys and the game finished in a welter of excitement as Nemo threw everything into their efforts for a equalising goal and they could not have gone closer hitting the underside of the crossbar and the
upright with two separate shots. The final whistle saw Valley Rovers celebrating but both sides benefiting from a very competitive game.
Valley Rovers had a very solid defence in Julie O'Mahony, Vivien Melia, Ena Coughlan, Shauna McCarthy, Lucy Hawkes (Capt.) and Eimear O'Regan. The hard working Liz Bugler, Clodagh Deasy, Sarah O'Donovan and Orla Deasy. But this was a victory for the whole squad Emma O'Donovan, Fiona O'Sullivan, Marie Barrett, Jessie and Connie Hawkes, Elaine and Marie Forde, Niamh and Sinead O'Shea, Aisling Glavin and Audrey Walsh.
