On a scorching hot spring morning, the Ballymun ladies soccer team made their long journey down the N4 towards the all-Ireland indoor ladies soccer tournament. The team consisted of Marie Lynch (Captain), Vanessa Kiernan, Erica Farrell, Rebecca Daly, Cassie Crosby & Jessica Judge.
In the ladies first game they played against Naas Youthreach. The ladies gave a dominant performance with superb individual performances by Jessica in goal and Marie who score 6 of the 8 goals the girls had put past the Naas Goalkeeper. The final result finished at 8-1.
In the ladies second game, they were up against a tougher and solid defense by the Donegal Youthreach who looked to be favorites to win the tournament. The ladies fought hard and with fearless goalkeeping by Jessica and stubborn defense by Cassie the girls held off numerous attacks from the Donegal players. Unfortunately they were finally broken and Donegal just seem to be the stronger side, delivering a 5-2 defeat to the Ballymun ladies.
In the third game, the ladies were up against Mayo Youthreach. This affair was very tight. Both teams gave solid defensive performances and there was no sight of a goal to be scored. However, Marie had other plans and with a piece of great interchanging link up play with Vanessa and Rebecca, Marie pounced in on a through ball and broke the deadlock. The girls were relentless in defense and as tension grew towards the final whistle, Naas took advantage of a free kick and caught the Ballymun defense off guard, sneaking an equalizing goal. The final result finished at 1-1.
In the ladies final game they sat in joint 2nd place in the table alongside Mayo. It was foreseeable that the two would most likely meet again in a playoff for 2nd place if the Ballymun Ladies could get past their next opponents from Meath.
The game started off at a lightning pace with Ballymun smashing in two goals in quick succession. The goal from the team was to try get all the girls on the scoreboard in this game. In which they did. It was a penalty strike that seen Erica be the final player to get on the scorecard. The strike was kept low and to the left of the goalkeeper. The girls were on their way to another showdown with Mayo. The final result finished at 6-0.
Well down to all the girls involved and thanks to our own Jack, Dave and Frank Brady at Ballinrobe Youthreach.
