Spa Ladies suffered a narrow defeat to Fossa in the Bon Secours County Championship Junior Premier Semi Final, with a slow start ultimately leaving Spa with too much ground to make up.
Fossa started brightly and took advantage of their early opportunities, finding the back of the net twice inside the opening 15 minutes. Spa responded with points from Liadh Tobin and Saoirse Kelly, but Fossa continued to add to their tally and went into the break leading 2-6 to 0-3.
Despite the difficult first half, Spa came out with renewed energy after the interval. Liadh and Ciara O’Sullivan opened the second-half scoring with two quick points, before Saoirse Kelly added another to keep Spa within touching distance.
Fossa responded with two further points, but Spa continued to battle. Saoirse and Mairead Finnegan added scores, before a strong spell midway through the half saw Spa score six unanswered points, with Saoirse particularly influential in front of goal.
With the gap reduced to just two points, Spa pushed hard for an equaliser. A near-penalty opportunity for Mairead Finnegan almost gave Spa the chance to close the gap further, but time ultimately ran out.
Despite the disappointment of the defeat, Spa’s second-half performance showed plenty of character. Having trailed 2-6 to 0-3 at half time, Spa kept battling until the final whistle and outscored Fossa by 0-9 to 0-2 in the second half.
Fossa’s Ava O’Neill proved a constant threat in front of the Spa goal, while Saoirse Kelly was outstanding for Spa, contributing a series of important points as the team fought their way back into the contest.
In the end, the two first-half goals proved decisive, with Fossa holding on for a 2-8 to 0-12 victory.
A frustrating result for Spa Ladies, but plenty of positives can be taken from a determined second-half comeback.
Best of luck to Fossa in the final, where they will face Ballymacelligott.
Fossa started brightly and took advantage of their early opportunities, finding the back of the net twice inside the opening 15 minutes. Spa responded with points from Liadh Tobin and Saoirse Kelly, but Fossa continued to add to their tally and went into the break leading 2-6 to 0-3.
Despite the difficult first half, Spa came out with renewed energy after the interval. Liadh and Ciara O’Sullivan opened the second-half scoring with two quick points, before Saoirse Kelly added another to keep Spa within touching distance.
Fossa responded with two further points, but Spa continued to battle. Saoirse and Mairead Finnegan added scores, before a strong spell midway through the half saw Spa score six unanswered points, with Saoirse particularly influential in front of goal.
With the gap reduced to just two points, Spa pushed hard for an equaliser. A near-penalty opportunity for Mairead Finnegan almost gave Spa the chance to close the gap further, but time ultimately ran out.
Despite the disappointment of the defeat, Spa’s second-half performance showed plenty of character. Having trailed 2-6 to 0-3 at half time, Spa kept battling until the final whistle and outscored Fossa by 0-9 to 0-2 in the second half.
Fossa’s Ava O’Neill proved a constant threat in front of the Spa goal, while Saoirse Kelly was outstanding for Spa, contributing a series of important points as the team fought their way back into the contest.
In the end, the two first-half goals proved decisive, with Fossa holding on for a 2-8 to 0-12 victory.
A frustrating result for Spa Ladies, but plenty of positives can be taken from a determined second-half comeback.
Best of luck to Fossa in the final, where they will face Ballymacelligott.
