17/05/2023
This was a tough match, well done to the Senior Ladies ❤️✨
Rostrevor 1-9 v St. John's 1-8
Rostrevor faced an in form St. John's team on Saturday at Pettit Park. Fresh from a big win against Saval on Thursday evening, St John's lived up to their favourites tag as they went into an early lead. Bree McKee powered through the Rostrevor defence to put over the bar, and done the same again when she raced clear to set up early goal for the Johnnies.
Ash McGeough (2) Eimheir Toal (1) and a Colleen Belt free kept Rostrevor in touch, but it was St.Johns that were still on the front foot with scores of their own keeping the lead at 5. However with the half coming to a end a great Reds team goal dragged Rostrevor back into the game. Good work down the Rostrevor right, starting with a clever ball from corner back Orla Farrell was collect by Sinead Scullion. Her strong run and well timed pass released the excellent Aoife Murphy, she in turn found Ash McGeough who beat the last two defenders and finished in style.
To their credit St John's replied with a well taken free just before the half time whistle to give them a 3 point lead at the break
Rostrevor 1-4 v St. John's 1-7
The second half would prove to be a much tighter affair. Both defences were excellent on the evening. Kerianne Parr distribution in nets was again first class. Defensively Orla Farrell, Grace Tinnelly, Gemma Magee, Colleen Mulholland, Lianna Farrelly & Carina Russell were all on form once again. Its no fluke that Rostrevor have the best defensive record in the league and the work this defensive unit puts in, is the reason for this.
Maeve Murdock was doing an unbelievable job at tracking the impressive Bree McKee, but unfortunately for the Johnnies when McKee went off with an injury early in the second half much of their attacking threat left with her.
Tara & Cristin Brown along with Colleen Mulholland at centre back were all instrumental in taking the game to St. John's in the second half controlling midfield and the game.
Annamarie Magee was once again the driving force in the Rostrevor attack. Her pace was causing no end of problems for the St. John's defence, and one of these trademark runs set up a score for Colleen Belt to cut the lead to 2.
St.John's fought back and tried to breach the Reds defence but great blocking and ferocious tackling kept them out.
The Johnnies did get the next score to give them the 3 point gap back. Youngsters Anna McDonagh and Sarah Doyle were brought on to add fresh legs and both impressed with their displays.
Both teams were giving no quarter but it was definitely Rostrevor on the front foot now.
Two more Colleen Belt frees cut the gap to 1 but with time running out it looked as if all Rostrevor's efferts would just fall short.
But with several stoppages in the second half Rostrevor kept the pressure on and to the delight of the Red supporters on the bank another Annamarie run ended with her being brought down and Colleen Belt made no mistake from the free to level the scores.
With added time almost up a great ball over the top found Aoife Murphy free of the St. John's defence, she raced onto goal and only was denied by a great save by the Johnnies keeper. Colleen Mulholland done amazingly well to recycle the ball and find Sean Mulholland in space. The half back showed her finishing skills as the ball sailed over the black spot to give Rostrevor the lead deep into injury time. A double fist pump by Mulholland showed what it meant to her and her team mates, as well as the jubilant fans on the bank and send Rostrevor back to the top of the league.
A great game with two excellent teams. Rostrevor wish Bree McKee all the best and hope her injury doesn't keep her out for too long.
Football is definitely a panel game now and Rostrevor have such a strong squad that players Tracey Rice, Hannah Gilsenan, Leah Scholes, Claire Doyle, Eileen Rice & Charly Jo O'Hanlon, all who would grace most teams in this league, did not feature. All drive the team on in training and during the game and were as much a part of this win as anyone.
