Cardiff St Colmcilles 6-3   St Albans St Colmcilles 5-16

What’s red on top, greene all over and scores goals? Karen Greene! 4 goals from the Tipperary sharpshooter inspired Cardiff into a great second half comeback in their second match of the inaugural Glo-Herts County League.

Cardiff had started the game in Sanatorium Road tentatively and found themselves behind early on as St Alban’s took the initiative and leapt into an early lead with 2 goals and a number of points unanswered. However, once Cardiff settled they began to really compete and threaten the St Alban’s defence. Cardiff’s work paid off as a short 45 taken by Sinead McKeown to Sarah Sheelan found its way to Karen Greene who took her chance to despatch the ball to the net to get Cardiff on the scoreboard.

This sparked the game to life and St Albans registered a few points despite some great defending from Triona Campbell and Aoife James in the full back line. Laura Perry also showed very safe hands and got distance and accuracy on her kick outs as she found her team mates and put Cardiff on the front foot.

A great dispossession by Ailish Breen saw her find Eimear Crowe who’s great run set up Cardiff for their first point of the game from Sinead McKeown. St Albans responded with 2 goals of their own and a couple of points before Cardiff yet again found the net through Karen Greene. A great ball from Eimear Crowe found Katie Tanner whose hand pass to the onrushing Sinead McKeown allowed the Antrim lady to pick out Karen Greene with a great crossfield ball. Once again Karen showed great composure to slot home her second goal of the game.

As referee Martin Doyle blew the half time whistle Cardiff had their tails up and, after a few wise words from Manager Sean Roddy, made their way back onto the field. Cardiff took the game to St Albans and scored an early goal as Karen Greene secured her hat trick with a neat finish after great work by Eimear Crowe and Katie Tanner.

St Albans kept the scoreboard ticking over with a number of points before Cardiff struck again. A great tackle by Aideen O’Brien resulted in Cardiff working the ball up the field via Laura Perry and Sinead McKeown before a pass from Dee Hickey allowed Karen Greene to bag her fourth goal of the afternoon.

A slight reshuffle by manager Sean Roddy paid dividends as Katie Tanner moved to midfield with Sinead McKeown and Leanne Walsh occupying the full forward line. Great Work by Katie Heffernan and Leanne Walsh set Sinead up to take her first of two goals before Leanne herself got on the scoresheet with a very well taken point as the final score of the game.

Cardiff can be very proud of their performance as they showed great heart to claw themselves back into the game and push St Albans to the very end. They have shown real progression and can go into their next game with a well earned feeling of self confidence.

There were some great performances especially from Triona Campbell, Ailish Breen, Eimear Crowe and Karen Greene. After the game there was a gourmet feast on hand for both teams provided by De Barra and Whyte Catering who deserve a big hand for their efforts. Onto the next game!

Colmcilles Abu!

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