ESB ladies v Stabannon Gaels
The ESB ladies took on Stabannon Gaels, the Louth Intermediate Champions, in the first ladies match at the annual ESB v NIE event. The ESB team was mainly made up of the finalists of the Sevens Championship, winners ESBI and runnersup ICT.
The difference in standard was obvious but the ESB girls, most of whom are not club footballers, battled bravely with Claire Mulholland, Niamh Holmes and Shauna Brady doing well in defence despite being under severe pressure.
ESB were on the back foot for most of the first half and struggled to get many attacks going. Rose Griffin fielded well in mid-field and was ESB's best threat going forward, becoming the first to get on the scoreboard for the visitors. Some positional switches at half time saw a more attacking style from ESB in the second half with Emer Brogan taking a point to finish off a good move.
Eileen Morgan featured strongly, starting off a lot of the ESB attacks from half-back and a well-worked move saw Sandra Howard finish to the back of the net.
All the attacking did leave ESB vulnerable at the back and tired legs started to tell as Stabannon created numerous chances. Their first goal had a bit of luck attached to it, as a long range kick from outfield dipped just under the crossbar. Stabannon continued to make chances and added another goal and numerous points and ran out easy winners in the end on a score line of 1:13 to 1:02.
It was a valiant performance by the ESB girls considering the quality of their opponents who had only been knocked out of the Leinster Intermediate Championship the week before.
