Killarney Athletic U13 Girls Triumph Over Castleisland AFC 5-2

In an exhilarating league encounter held at Killarney on 30th September 2024, Killarney Athletic U13 Girls showcased their prowess with a resounding 5-2 victory against Castleisland AFC. The match kicked off at 6:00pm, and the home side demonstrated their attacking flair and resilience throughout the contest.

Killarney Athletic set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for dynamic attacking play. Lori Rujevcan took her place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Lauren O’Donoghue on the right, Aoibhinn Heinhann and Regan O’Shea in central defence, and Fiadh O’Sullivan on the left. The midfield was anchored by Elizabeth Brosnan and Clodagh Hegarty, who were tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Evie Doolan on the right, Roisin O’Sullivan in the central role, and Erica Moloney on the left, with Leah Heinmann leading the line as the striker.

The substitutes for Killarney included Lucy Myles, Laura O’Sullivan, Robyn Higgins, Aria Sheehan, Emma Moynihan, Lorena Horena, Rachel Luchin, and Polly Jo.

The match began with Killarney Athletic asserting their dominance early on, and in the 12th minute, Erica Moloney opened the scoring with a well-placed effort, sending a clear message to the visitors. However, Castleisland AFC responded swiftly, equalising in the 18th minute through a determined attack that caught the Killarney defence off guard.

The visitors continued to build momentum and took the lead in the 27th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse from Killarney. With the score at 2-1 in favour of Castleisland, the home side faced a challenging situation as they headed into the half-time break.

After regrouping, Killarney Athletic emerged for the second half with renewed vigour. Just eight minutes after the restart, Erica Moloney struck again, bringing the score level at 2-2 and igniting the home crowd's enthusiasm.

The momentum shifted decisively in Killarney's favour when Evie Doolan found the back of the net in the 47th minute, giving her side a crucial lead. The home team continued to press, and in the 52nd minute, Lucy Myles added to the tally, extending Killarney's advantage to 4-2.

In the 54th minute, a substitution was made as Polly Jo replaced Roisin O’Sullivan, aiming to maintain the attacking threat. Killarney Athletic's relentless pressure paid off once more, with Erica Moloney completing her hat-trick shortly after, sealing a comprehensive 5-2 victory for the home side.

The match concluded with Killarney Athletic U13 Girls celebrating a well-deserved win, showcasing their attacking prowess and determination against a spirited Castleisland AFC side.