New York see off determined Dungiven
New York set the pace for feile in Dungiven with a blistering 3-16 to no score victory over Dungiven in O’Cahan park. New York got off to the best possible start with Mairead Ruane getting on the ball straight from throw in, making 30 yards on one of those trademark solo runs, before finding Mairead Hynes with a great ball who in turn launched an unstoppable shot into the Dungiven net. There was no respite for Dungiven with Ruane plucking the ball from the sky with a great catch and delivering the ball first time into New York ladies own superstar Johanna Levine who duly finished the ball into the net. However, it was not just the forwards the New York management had to thank for the Dungiven shutout, the NY backs were also to the fore with Lauren Mc Manus providing a great turnover in the tackle which set up Heather Durkan for the score of the half with a great 25 yard effort which sailed over the bar. New York added further scores to leave the half time score 2-06 to no score. Dungiven Ladies came out fighting in the second half and really made the New York girls work for every ball , getting some great turnovers.
Mairead Hynes put on a second half display that had the whole of Dungiven talking with some scores that are more often seen in Croke Park than in O’Cahan park. Hynes personal tally of 1-03 does not reflect the influence she had on the game with some real unselfish display of playmaking and defensive work. The deafening silence and stunned looks from the crowd that greeted her breathtaking 45 yard score was an amazing spectacle. Johanna Levine added a further 4 points in the second half to earn a well deserved MVP with an exhibition of fielding All Star Kieran Donaghy would be proud to call his own.
But what makes this panel of girls exceptional is that this is not a 1 , 3 , 10 player team but a true panel of 22 girls with every player capable of playing their roles perfectly to ensure the greater benefit to the team. The defence splitting pass of Kate Delaney for Levine’s 3rd point, Catherine Treacy’s well worked score from a tricky angle and Caitlin Mc Kenna’s four points from midfield are a credit to both the individual talents and dedication of the player’s and the abilities of the coaches to gel this team into a collective talent and make NY the early favourites to achieve the coveted Feile title. Credit also the referee, Sean Mc Intyre, for letting what was a very sporting encounter play out in the best footballing tradition.
Speaking after the game, Dungiven native Frank Treacy team manager, praised his squad for their performances to date “This was a great squad performance from 1-22, a great team effort, it is a true honour to be involved in managing such a great group of players.” Dungiven manager Eimear Murphy was also full of praise for the New York girls but praised her own team's never say die work ethic “Our girls found it tough today but we are delighted with our girls attitude in particular the work rate of our half forwards.” MVP Johanna Levine praised both sets of players and puts the team performance down to “the great team spirit in our squad, in fairness to the Dungiven girls they tried their hardest and made a real tough game of it, we want to be in Celtic Park on Sunday and that’s our goal.”
NY MVP Johanna Levine
Dungiven MVP Niam Mullins
New York panel: Jackie O’Shea, Margaret Brady, Nicola Dennison, Bridget Sorohan, Mary Kate Lisi, Shannon Hughes, Emily Russell, Mairead Ruane 1-02, Caitlin McKenna 0-04, Colleen Chrzanowski, Mairead Hynes 1-03, Heather Durkan 0-01, Catherine Treacy 0-01, Johanna Levine 1-05, Emma Clarke, Emily Skywark, Mary Ann Coleman, Lauren Mc Manus, Kerilyn O’Keffe, Marie Cox, Emma Mc Girl, Katie Delaney
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