U14 East Cork Championship Final Youghal Vs Watergrasshill

Youghal 1-4 Watergrasshill 1-6


A very determined U14 team went to Watergrasshill on the 2nd November to play in the East Cork Final. In front of a very big crowd of supporters, something not witnessed in ladies football at this level, really added to the occasion for the Youghal girls. Coming into this final Youghal competed in 7 games over 3 mth period and with every game came harder battles. A challenge game the week before against Inch Rovers in the “Sheila Shield” tournament (Held every two years between Youghal and Inch) really set the Youghal girls with very good preparation for the final. This Youghal Team really have a committed set of parents and support travelling the length and breadth of East Cork to all games and creating real positive memories in Ladies Football.


The game itself was a dogfight from start to finish. Most of the Youghal Girls experiencing their first East Cork Final at this grade had a difficult start with the majority of ball with WGH attack. But the Youghal girls eventually broke out of their own defence and scored the first point of the game nearly 10 mins into it. This was the story for the entire game, nip and tuck no one getting any great leverage over the other. At half time we were a point down and made a switch at centre back for the second half. This settled us a bit more and the girls really took the game to WGH. A free awarded at 10 mins inside the 13 yard line saw Youghal lob the goal keeper for a goal and we went ahead by 2 points. We got great encouragement from this and drove on but WGH never gave up and continued to pedal back the deficit. An error by Youghal saw WGH capitalise with a goal and they took the lead by 1pt. Youghal girls never gave up at this stage of the game and battled very hard to bring it level but after many attempts at working the ball inside against a very strong back line WGH broke out to finish the game with a final point at the death and they landed the Cup.


To put this game into context last April we had a panel of 9 girls after losing some at the start of the year and a decision was made to consult and work with U12 management to build a team for championship. Since that decision the Youghal Girls played games en route to the final something not even considered last April, in fact we didn’t think we would get passed first round.


The Final was a great experience for all involved and we went all out for the day to remember it as a good memory regardless of the result. Huge thanks must go out to all the committed parents who have travelled all over following and believing in what we are doing in ladies football. The Executive of Youghal GAA for their commitment to these young girls.

Also I would like to give a huge thank you to Pat Ryan of KIA Garage for his support providing a Coach for our big occasion.
Here’s wishing you all well in 2015, Gordon, Marie & Finbarr