Ballymackey Women got there final bit of prep for the new Combined Counties Football League Season which starts next week, when they travelled to Frank McEvoy Park to take on Killeigh Ladies. A few late injuries and illness saw what was a small travelling party further reduced to the bare 11 players, but Ballymackey still lined out a well balanced side.
Ballymackey found themselves with work to do just 2 minutes in as the hosts took an early lead. Ballymackey soon got into their rhythm and took the game to Killeigh. Seonaid McGuigan, Amber De Lewis, Leah Darcy and Christine O Keefe all had sights of the Killeigh goal before Aoibhín Delaney slalomed through the home defence to equalise. On 30 minutes Ballymackey lost a player to injury and with no replacements they played a player down for the remaining 60 minutes. After some tactical adjustments Ballymackey got back on the front foot and Seonaid McGuigan put Ballymackey into the lead before the half time break with a great finish after she got behind the Killeigh rearguard. Ballymackey had a very strong second half managing the game very well building play through the thirds of the pitch and looked good value to see the match out but deep in stoppage time Killeigh got an equiliser with the last kick of the game.
It was a great performance by a young Ballymackey side that had 5 changes to the side from their last outing the CCFL Cup final in late May, with the younger girls showing they will be well capable of making a telling contribution to the side this Season, with Thia McCarthy Emma Nolan, Seonaid McGuigan and Amber DeLewis all outstanding. We also had an excellent Club debut for Emma Darcy who had a very quick turn around from inquiring about playing with the side to lacing up her boots for her first match. Thanks to Killeigh for hosting us for what was a well contested sporting game and we look forward to locking horns with them and all the other Teams in what looks likely to be a very competitive League this Season.
Ballymackey found themselves with work to do just 2 minutes in as the hosts took an early lead. Ballymackey soon got into their rhythm and took the game to Killeigh. Seonaid McGuigan, Amber De Lewis, Leah Darcy and Christine O Keefe all had sights of the Killeigh goal before Aoibhín Delaney slalomed through the home defence to equalise. On 30 minutes Ballymackey lost a player to injury and with no replacements they played a player down for the remaining 60 minutes. After some tactical adjustments Ballymackey got back on the front foot and Seonaid McGuigan put Ballymackey into the lead before the half time break with a great finish after she got behind the Killeigh rearguard. Ballymackey had a very strong second half managing the game very well building play through the thirds of the pitch and looked good value to see the match out but deep in stoppage time Killeigh got an equiliser with the last kick of the game.
It was a great performance by a young Ballymackey side that had 5 changes to the side from their last outing the CCFL Cup final in late May, with the younger girls showing they will be well capable of making a telling contribution to the side this Season, with Thia McCarthy Emma Nolan, Seonaid McGuigan and Amber DeLewis all outstanding. We also had an excellent Club debut for Emma Darcy who had a very quick turn around from inquiring about playing with the side to lacing up her boots for her first match. Thanks to Killeigh for hosting us for what was a well contested sporting game and we look forward to locking horns with them and all the other Teams in what looks likely to be a very competitive League this Season.
