The Bosco’s G4M&O team travelled to Finglas in Co. Dublin to play Erin’s Isle in their first match of the new season. Team coach Mo Rooney was full of confidence going into the game after a tough 8 week pre-season training programme. The game itself started well for the home side who were playing with a strong wind in their backs scoring 2 early points followed by a well-worked goal. But it was the visitors who finished the first period the strongest with a cracker of a goal from the returning Rhoda McArdle and a fine point from Aine Larkin as the whistle sounded.
During his team talk Mo just asked the girls to settle down and with the advantage of a strong wind let the ball do the work. His team talk paid dividends right from the throw-in as a long ball from Alice Tavey found Aine Larkin on the edge of the square who calmly rounded the keeper to slot the ball into the back of the net. The Bosco team now dominated for the next 15 mins and effectively killed off the game with another 3 points. Caoimhe Kearns, a new and exciting player, smashed home from close range with Alice Tavey, Roisin Hart and Ciara McKevitt scoring points and the second period ended with Aine Larkin scoring another goal.
With the third and final period looming Mo made a few positional changes to the team. Newry netball player Cathy Gorman moved into full back and her power in the air snubbed out attack after attack from the home side. Lorna Copeland, Lesa Rooney and Sinead Blair marked tight and gave the home forwards no space whatsoever to build any attacks. The best player on the pitch throughout the game was undoubtedly Laura McCreesh who won every ball that came her way. Her balance and vision on the ball was delightful to watch and her fitness is a credit to this full-time working mum.
As the final whistle blew both teams received a very warm and encouraging round of applause from the watching spectators. Speaking after the match Mo couldn’t speak highly enough of the hospitality from the Erin’s Isle club and thanked the home team for being great hosts but he highlighted the effort from each and everyone of his players in difficult conditions. Mo stated that he is in the process of rebuilding the team this season and was delighted at how his three new players performed. Next up for the squad is another away game, this time in Ballymun, Dublin.
