DERVLA CARR reports from Newcastle

In a thrilling encounter in Newcastle, St Finian's emerged victorious over the St Brendan’s Ladies Football 2nd XV, Sponsored by Bartra Healthcare, with a narrow three-point win in a match that was as unpredictable as the weather.

St Brendan’s began brightly, putting St Finian's under intense pressure in the opening minutes. 

Their high press forced two early chances, and it wasn’t long before the breakthrough came. Chloe Kennedy turned over possession brilliantly in midfield, feeding Niamh O’Dowd who rifled the ball into the net to open the scoring in style.

As the rain briefly poured down on the pitch, so too did the scores begin to flow. St Finian's responded well with their opening point, but Brendan’s kept their foot on the pedal. 

Niamh Cooney found the posts to stretch the lead before Áine Cleary added another. A dominant kick out win saw Brendan’s maintain momentum, and Niamh Duo soon slotted another point over the bar.

St Finian’s fought back, earning a free inside the D which they duly converted. Despite being turned over in their own half, Brendan’s were let off the hook when the resulting attack from Finian’s drifted wide. 

However, Brendan’s couldn’t fully capitalise, with a series of missed opportunities hampering their efforts to pull away.

St Finian’s made them pay with a fine score from a 45, closing the gap further. Niamh O’Dowd again proved crucial, adding another point to give Brendan’s some breathing room. 

But Finian’s weren’t done yet, two quick fire points brought them right back into the contest, cutting the margin to just two. 

Just before the break, St Brendan’s were boosted by the return of Saidbh McDermot from injury, who made an instant impact by getting on the scoresheet.

Half-Time Score: St Brendan’s 1-5 St Finian’s 0-7

The second half was a much tighter affair. Finian’s struck early, with their number 13 finding the net to give them the lead for the first time. They added a point soon after, putting real pressure on Brendan’s.

St Brendan’s responded through a well taken free from Karen, but it wasn’t enough. St Finians showed great composure in the closing stages, adding another score to seal a hard-fought 1-9 to 1-6 win.

It was a game of two halves Brendan’s dominated early on, but missed chances proved costly as Finians grew into the game and finished stronger!

Final Score from Newcastle: St Finians 1-9 St Brendan’s 1-6.