Saval U16 Girls Progress to Championship Semi-Final

Saval U16 girls have progressed to the championship semi-final after a battling display this evening away to Saul. With both sides needing a win to progress to the next round, it was sure to be a close encounter. It certainly didn’t disappoint with plenty of scores for both teams. However in the end Saval girls proved too strong and came away with a 4-12 to 6-3 victory.

Saval started the game brightly with an early goal from Cassie McAloon. Saval were enjoying the lion share of possession – but Saul were fast on the counter attack and responded in equal measure with a couple of quick goals of their own. This was to set the pattern for an entertaining game of football with both sides exchanging scores – Saul faring two points better with a half time scoreline of 4-2 against Saval’s 2 goals and six points.

In such a close game it was clear that the winning side would be the team that displayed greatest character and resilience - indeed it was the Saval girls who rose to the challenge in the second half. There were some stand-out performances for Saval; Connie McGrath started to dominate the middle of the field and won countless kick-outs and high balls to feed the Saval forward line. Cassie McAloon was particularly dangerous up front registering three goals in total, while Ursula Hall and Aoife Quinn fought hard and showed some excellent link-up play to create openings and keep the scoreline moving in Saval’s favour. Niamh McGinley registered six points from free kicks and helped drive a lot of the Saval attacking play.

Elsewhere, Orlaith McGuinness worked tirelessly and ran multiple lengths of the pitch, winning balls, defending deep and feeding the forward line. Saval goalkeeper Katie Grant pulled off an outstanding save towards the end when Saul were through on goal, helping to maintain the lead for the team. In the end a late Aoife Quinn goal helped secure the victory for Saval and ensure the girls progression to the semi-final on 17th September.

Saval Scorers

Cassie McAloon 3-2

Niamh McGinley 0-6

Aoife Quinn 1-0

Orlaith McGuinnes 0-1

Connie McGrath 0-1

Sarah McGinn 0-1