Diminutive Davis the star, as St. Mary’s Garristown shine

St. Brigid's GNS, Glasnevin 2-02

St. Mary's NS, Garristown 3-05

The girls from Garristown survived a second half scare this afternoon as they hung on to defeat St. Brigid's Glasnevin in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Finals.

St. Mary's started the match at 100 miles an hour and it wasn't long before Holly Davis had the ball in the Brigid's net. They continued to dominate proceedings in the first half as St. Brigid's had no answer. Davis quickly followed up her goal with a point. It was clear she was going to have a big say in this game. Adaora Okonkwo was a real force around the midfield area for St. Mary's. She was a constant outlet for her defence and linked up well with the attack. Shortly before half time St. Mary's grabbed their second goal. Centre forward Kayla Bell, who had a magnificent game, carried the ball from her own half back line right up the field before laying it off to full forward Isobel Andrews who stroked the ball home. As half time came St. Mary's were in total control. Whatever was said to the St. Brigid's girls at half time clearly worked as they came out of the blocks firing in the second period. Lead by full forward Rachael Hargan, St. Brigid's came storming back into the game. They got their goal through midfielder and captain Ava O'Shea who really upped her game in the second half. A game that looked like it was going to be a comfortable win for St. Mary's now hung in the balance entering the final quarter. With the match there to be won, it was full forward Andrews who popped up with her second goal to put some daylight between the two sides. However it was the performance of Holly Davis that stood out, the smallest player on the pitch, but the most effective, kicking 1-2 and constantly troubling the St. Brigid's backline. Fair play to St. Brigid's though, at half time they looked down and out, but they came out in the second half and had a real go, they made a good game of it in the end, but unfortunately they didn't have enough to get over the line. St. Brigid's GNS, Glasnevin Subs: 16. Maggie Stafford Hoey 17. Sophie McManus 18. Niamh Anello 19. Grace Spall 20. Meisha Crealy                                 21. Lucette Grange 22. Ella Hazel St. Mary's NS, Garristown Subs: 16. Sarah Mapzimaka 17. Shona Davis 18. Lucy Byrne 19. Jaslene Bakumba 20. Ally Carberry