Our championship campaign started with Round 1 v's Blarney on a damp muggy evening in West End.  Unfortunately due to holidays we had a bare starting 15 but 4 of our older U12 Panel stepped up to the mark and togged out for us. Blarney were in the same position with 15 players but no subs so it was all to play for. 

Blarney were first to hit the score board on the 2nd minute with a great point from play.  By the fifth minute Blarney were unlucky not to go ahead by 3 but struck 2 wides both from frees. Eva Lane opened the Carrig scoreboard in the 8th minute  followed by a second very quickly after. Blarney responded with lovely point from a free and a very quick goal rocketed to the back of the net. End to end play but Eva Lane made a fabulous run on her own and bursted straight through the strong Blarney defence and powered home a goal to the back right of the net. The final puck of the first quarter gave Blarney a point from free and the scoreboard stood at 1:2-1:3 in favour of the visitors. 

Both teams had an opportunity to settle at this stage so the second quarter was a quieter affair on the score board. Blarney opened up our defence and popped another goal to the back of the net.  A lovely strike from a Saorise free put Carrig on the scoreboard. 1:3-2:3 heading into the 3rd quarter.  As close a match as it could be. Unfortunately we gave away another free and were punished with a lovely score from Blarney early in this quarter. Saoirse was very unlucky to just go wide of the uprights with a well taken 45.  Blarney were on the attack again and a very well taken free dipped and went into the top left of our goal.  It was all still to play for and Jodi found herself in the perfect position, and despite a flurry of Blarney girls around her stuck the sliotar in the back of the net.  Saoirse again with a fantastic point from a free balanced the game back. Without doubt Blarney responded and that they did with a goal from play on the 28 minute mark.   2 further points by Eva before the final whistle blew with the score line 2:6 -4:3.

Overall we were absolutely delighted with the level of effort that went into this game by each and every player.  Despite the very close result the girls gave a massive account of themselves on the pitch last night. 

Cate, in goal was fantastic and made a few outstanding saves to keep Carrig in the game. Our back 6 of Zoe, Grainne, Emilia, Neasa, Eibhlin, and Kate B were rock solid but faced a dogged group of Blarney forwards.  Our midfield girls Saoirse & Libby covered every blade of grass on the pitch. Our half-forwards Sara, Eva & Abbey were dogged in their marking of Blarneys half backs and pushed on every ball that came to them.  Emily, Jodi and Grace in full forwards were very unlucky not be all on the scoreboard but Jodi took a fantastic opportunity and was awarded with a lovely goal.  

We were extremely grateful to Lauren, Emma, Faye & Holly from our U12 Panel who togged out last night.  Emma & Holly came on in 2nd half as subs and had a massive impact on the game.  Emma played out of her skin and Holly didn't let a ball past her.  Well Done girls. 

Huge thanks to all our supporters who were a great influence in supporting the girls from the sideline last night.  It was great to see such numbers there for the girls - and they didn't disappoint.  

There is such fantastic potential with these girls and in a few short weeks have made a massive improvement. 

Well done girls. 

Team:  Cate O'Connell, Zoe O'Donovan, Grainne Cuddigan, Emilia, Kate Bogue, Eibhilin O'Flynn, Neasa O'D, Libby Ring, Saoirse Murphy (0:2f), Abbey Madden, Eva Lane (Captain,  1:4), Sara Barry, Grace Collins, Jodi O'Connor (1:0), Emily Warren-Perry.  Subs:  Holly Forde & Emma O'Connor

Huge thanks to Edward Warren-Perry for the great photographs !