Crettyard crowned Junior champions after superb performance against Portlaoise

Crettyard have been crowned Junior Ladies champions for 2023 after a comprehensive victory over Portlaoise in today’s Junior decider in Park-Ratheniska.

Two first-half goals from Crettyard saw them on their way to victory although Portlaoise did mount a strong second-half but Crettyard held on to win by nine points.

Crettyard 3-10

Portlaoise 1-7

Crettyard opened the scoring with a placed ball as Carrie Murphy pointed a free. They would hold a three-point lead by the 10th minute as Patrice Whelan and a free from Roisin Allen put their side in control early on.

Portlaoise finally registered their first score after 10 minutes as Rachel Glynn’s effort rattled off the crossbar before going over the black spot. Aoife Hyland Conlon was then called into action as she saved from Kay Curran. Portlaoise added to their tally with another score from play as Becca Keane split the posts.

Crettyard hit the front as they fired in 1-3 without any reply. Carrie Murphy pointed two frees with Kay Curran also raising a white flag. Roisin Allen showed immense strength to burst through the Portlaoise defence before rattling the back of the net.

Rachel Glynn got two points back for Portlaoise before Crettyard were given a golden opportunity to get their second goal. Curran was fouled in the square with Patrice Whelan making no mistake from the spot. Crettyard held a healthy lead at half-time, 2-6 to 0-4.

Portlaoise knew a fast start would be needed if they’d any chance of getting back into the game and they did just that. Amy Byrne passed the ball into Clodagh Power, who drilled the ball beyond Katelyn Kelly in the Crettyard net.

Power quickly added to her goal as she raised a white flag to reduce Crettyard’s lead to four points. Roisin Allen (free) and Grainne O’Reilly traded scores while Glynn kicked her fourth point to put three points between the sides.

Crettyard weathered the Portlaoise storm as they kept them at bay for the remainder of the game. Roisin Allen, Eadaoin Brennan and Carrie Murphy all raised white flags as Portlaoise knew that more goals would be needed.

Those goals didn’t come however as Crettyard fired in a late goal to put a gloss on the scoreboard. Roisin Allen lobbing the ball over Hyland Conlon to secure the Junior title for Crettyard.