Our Minor Girls opened their League campaign with an enthralling 5-15 to 5-15 draw at MacNean Park against Brookeborough on Wednesday evening. It was an action packed hour with some fantastic scores as the sides were level on several occasions throughout.
The opening 15minutes seen Belcoo hold sway 1-5 to 0-5. Three early points from Julijana McGourty, Lea Leonard and Ciara Parker had the home side on their way before McGourty hit the games first goal. Brookeborough had threatened but to this juncture they had been wayward. Meabh Howell, Aine Collins (3) and Meabh Donnelly got them off the mark with well taken scores while Ella McGovern and Megan Maguire slotted over for Belcoo.
The closing quarter of the opening half seen the defences take over, Belcoo only managed a Ciara Parker point in the 17th minute while the strong running Collins did likewise in the 22nd minute. The visitors would tie the game with the last play of the half weaving through to score a goal. Half Time: Belcoo 1-6 v 1-6 Brookeborough.
The second period turned into a shootout, both sides registering 4-9 as the lead changed hands several times. 40minutes in Brookeborough lead 2-9 to 2-8. The Belcoo goal scored by Lea Leonard with Ella McGovern accounting for the two points, the second, a booming long range free from the edge of the 40m arc into the wind.
By the 50th minute things were level again at 4-12 a piece. Further goals from McGovern & Leonard while McGourty had hit a trio of points, McGovern also on target. Two goals in as many minutes had brought the visitors back into it, this despite a number of saves from Belcoo’s keeper Katie McNulty in this period.
Ciara Parker gave Belcoo the lead on 52minutes, Brookeborough levelled then hit their 5th goal to move 3 clear. The next 4 scores were shared, two points each as the game ticked through to added time. There was a late stoppage for an injury. Brookeborough leading 5-15 to 4-15. It was a Brookeborough kickout, the referee says 19seconds left from the kickout. Belcoo had to turn the ball over, Belcoo had to score a goal to get something from the game, they did both these things as they gained possession from the restart and worked the ball upfield where Abbie McGovern slipped the ball into younger sister Ella McGovern who drove the ball low to the net. DRAW GAME.
Team: Katie McNulty, Lily-Mae McNulty, Orlaith McAloon, Amber McCann, Evie Savage, Cairenn McGrath, Zoe Lavery, Abbie McGovern, Emilie McCallion, Ciara Parker (0-3), Ella McGovern (2-5), Sasha McGillen, Megan Maguire (0-1), Julijana McGourty (1-5), Lea Leonard (2-1). Subs Used: Caoimhe Gilroy for S.McGillen (49), Casey Nolan for E.Savage (50). Unused Mary Kate O’Neill, Ava Lavery
