Kildress ladies, Management, Parents and Supporters travelled to MISA for the Grade 1 Féile competition on Sunday 14 April 2024, what a massive achievement for this group of girls to bring back the Tyrone Féile Cup to Kildress for the third year in a row.
GAME 1
The sun was shining as Kildress took to the field for the opening game of Group 1 against Donaghmore. Playing against a strong wind in the first half the girls had to work hard supporting each other all over the Pitch. Therese Loughran opened the scoring with a well-placed point, the first of many scores she would accumulate over the course of the match, with the assistance of all her teammates. Both teams attacked and defended at pace, Kildress backs Ava Foster, Beth McNamee and Mia McDonald defended well, supported by Ella Rose Quinn’s safe hands in goals. Kildress scored a further 2 goals by Therese Loughran before the referee blew for half-time.
Half-time – Kildress 2-01 V Donaghmore 2-00
The second half throw in was contested in the air by the Kildress mid-fielders Aine MCCullagh and Jodie McAlinden. The girls broke the ball and Kildress again attacked hard in waves towards the Donaghmore goals, Aideen Corey placed the ball in the back of the net adding another goal to the scoreboard. Donaghmore kick outs were contested well by the girls breaking in numbers ending with one of the attacking plays seeing Alanna McCullagh kicked over a well taken point.
Substitutions for Kildress Grace Baines for Anna Rose Toner
Full-time – Kildress 4-01 v Donaghmore 2-00
GAME 2
Kildress took to the pitch for their second game in the competition against Omagh. The girls buzzing from their first game had fire in their belly’s and passion in the hearts as they took to the pitch. Kildress again contested for the throw in and won the battle in the air, this was 2 strong team battling for possession with strong defence. With some great passages of play and support from all areas, Therese Loughran opened the scoring with a beautifully placed goal. Pressure was put on the Omagh kickouts with Alanna McCullagh, Anna Rose Toner, Aideen Corey and Amy Loughran working well to prevent Omaghs kickouts getting out, resulting in another 3 scores before half time.
Half-time Kildress 1-03 V Omagh 0-00
The second half got underway and Kildres got of to a good start working the ball through the hands with some great supportive play resulting in Kildress scoring another point and 2 goals by Therese Loughran. Clara McCullagh, Ava Tracey and Aoibhean Murphy worked tirelessly in the half back line thoughtout the game supporting the forwards and midfielders in attacking play. Omagh came back in the last few moments of the game scoring 2 late goals.
Substitutions for Kildress Connie McCullagh for Therese Loughran, Ciara McNally for Anna Rose Toner, Lily Loughran for Ella Rose Quinn, Niamh McKenna for Aideen Corey, Katie Rose Gilmore for Ava Foster.
Full-time score – Kildress 3-05 v Omagh 2-00
GAME 3
Kildress third and final group game was against Aodh Ruadh. The game started well with many strong attacking plays towards the Aodh Ruadh goals, with all girls getting involved in the supportive play resulting in 3 points by Therese Loughran, 1 point by Aine McCullagh and 1 goal by Mia Mullan.
Half-time Kildress 1.04 v Aodh Ruadh 0.00
Rain greeted the girls for the start of the second half which made conditions a little slippery. Kildress battled hard and worked in a point by Anna Rose Toner to open the score in the second half. Pressurising and contesting the Aodh Ruadh kickout Therese Loughran scored a further 2 points in the second half. This did not deter Aodh Ruadh from attacking and a well-placed ball heading for the back of the net was saved and put over the bar by Ella Rose Quinn.
Substitutions for Kildress Connie McCullagh for Therese Loughran, Ciara McNally for Grace Baines, Ella Rose O’Connor for Mia McDonald, Alana McCullagh for Aideen Corey, Katie Rose Gilmore for Ava Foster, Aoife O’Connor for Mia Mullan.
Final Score – Kildress 1.07 v Aodh Ruadh 0.01
This saw the Kildress girl top group 1 and meet Dromore in the Tyrone GRADE 1 Féile Final.
FEILE FINAL
The 2 teams took to the pitch in what was anticipated to be a great game of football and for those who watched from the side-lined they were not disappointed. Both teams fought hard and contested every ball and there were well worked turnovers by both teams. The Kildress girls knew they would have to keep working hard and supporting each other in attack and defending as a team. A great one-two between Aine, Jodie and Therese saw a magnificent point from a run made just outside of the 21 by Therese and placed over the bar. Kildress pressured the Dromore kickouts which resulted in further points form Therese Loughran and Mia Mullan just before the half time whistle.
Half-time Kildress 0.03 v Dromore 0.00
The throw in for the second half was won by the Kildress midfielders and with a strong belief in each other the girls fought for every ball, tackling and defending well. This was a battle that the Kildress girls wanted to make their own. Second half scores saw Amy Loughran score a brilliant point. Passion burning in the girls hearts and the desire to win saw the final point of the game being score by Therese Loughran before the final whistle blew and the celebrations began.
This is an amazing achievement by this group of girls, to win a County Féile final is something they will remember for a lifetime. For some of these girls this is their first time winning this competition and for others they have had the privilege of knowing how it feels to win and go on to represent your Club and County in the All-Ireland Féile Competition. We thank all the Girls for their hard work, dedication and work rate both on the field and during training, we thank the parents for ensuring the girls make it to training and matches, we thank the Club for all their continued support and the Management for their hard work, training and support of the girls helping them to achieve their goals and potential on the football field. We end with a special note, wishing Mya McCullagh a speedy and successful recovery after surgery this week which kept Mya from being able to tog out and join her team mates on the field of play today. No doubt she will be with us on the next big adventure the All Ireland Féile later this summer.
