Roche Emmets 5-12 Clan na Gael 2-6

Erin Gorham struck an incredible 3-7 as the U14 girls picked up their first championship points with a fine win over Clan na Gael at Páirc de Róiste on Friday night.

Included in her fine tally was a fabulous volley from a Niamh Norton delivery as Roche took a firm grip on the game after half-time.

Kayleigh O’Hare, Zoe Treacy and Gorham (1-1) were Emmets’ registrars during the opening quarter as the exchanges proved to be hugely competitive – Roche taking a 1-3 to 1-2 lead to the waterbreak.

The conditions were slippery but both teams battled to a standstill, going in level at 1-5 apiece at the change of ends.

Though from the moment Gorham finished wonderfully to the net after the restart, Roche dominated – Caoimhe Dunne subsequently got her name on the scoresheet, while Norton found the net.

Gorham, Norton and Sophie Corcoran then struck points prior to Gorham’s hat-trick goal and a major by Ava Briscoe.

It was an impressive display, with Nicole Murray a driving force, especially given the absence of the team’s usual full-back line and that management had just 15 players at their disposal. Although injured forward Erin Grier was there to support the team.

Roche: Martina Kirk; Chloe Duffy, Evanna Corcoran, Cara McCourt; Aoibheann Reilly, Nicole Murray, Caoimhe Dunne (0-1); Ava Briscoe (1-0), Niamh Norton (1-1); Erin Gorham (3-7), Kayleigh O’Hare (0-1), Zoe Treacy (0-1); Sophie Corcoran (0-1), Courtney McNamee, Suranne Robinson

Referee: Paul Drumm