All Ireland Champions.

Boherlahan Dualla U10 Girls Indoor Soccer team has been crowned All Ireland Champions! This super bunch of girls were superb in their march from the county finals in February, to then becoming Munster Champions in April in Tralee and finally receiving gold at the All Ireland finals on May 26^th in University of Limerick.

On 19^th April in Tralee, the girls were up against Kerry Champions Listowel. From the start, their fantastic coaching and tactical play was evident and they were comfortable winners 4-2. The semi-final against Waterford Champions Clonea/Rathgormack was up next, and again, the girls were the stronger team, winning 5-0. The Final was against the reigning Munster Champions Caherdavin from Limerick. These were a tougher challenge and despite the girls being the more dominant team, it was 1-1 at half time. However, once the second half got underway, the girls’ superior possession and tactics paid off and they won 4-2!

Many weeks of dedicated practice followed using Golden and Littleton indoor courts as the girls prepared for the All Ireland Finals. Their semi-final opponents were Connaught Champions Salthill from Galway. Disaster when Salthill hit the net first to go 1-0 up. However, the girls didn’t panic and brought it back to 1-1 at half-time. An encouraging team talk from Jimmy and Annette was delivered, and the girls went back out, and soon they pulled ahead and finished 3-1 winners.

In the Final they were against Ulster Champions Killoe from Longford . From the start, there was no doubt which was the stronger team and the girls were 2-0 up at half time. They pushed on and scored again and the parents and supporters at the sidelines counted down the minutes anxiously until the final whistle was blown. 3-0 Final score and the celebrations began!

The team comprised of Abbie Horgan, Neasa Dwan, Sophie Moynihan, Blaithin Shelley, Grace Power, Robyn Leahy, Aoife O Donnell and Leah O Connell. Huge thanks are owed to their mentors Annette O Donnell, Jimmy Murray and Melissa Foley – the girls’ superior tactical play and formation was a credit to their coaching and dedication.

The girls were presented with a beautiful kit for the All Ireland finals by Brian Horgan and Tony Lacey of B and T Sports – a fantastic memento of their achievement.

Audrey Leahy presented the girls with sports bags kindly sponsored by Boston Scientific.

The parents of the girls were incredibly supportive bringing the girls to Golden and Littleton halls for practice. Friends and siblings of the girls were a huge help in providing opposition for the girls at training, as were Ballingarry boys U10 indoor soccer team who provided the girls a tough match in their preparation for the All Irelands!

Thank you to Boherlahan Dualla camogie club for the use of jerseys for the Munster and All Ireland Finals. Unfortunately Blaithin and Melissa were unable to attend the All Ireland Finals and were missed by all!