Deen Celtic U-14s advance in Subway National Cup - Kilkenny Live

The Deen Celtic under-14 girls put in their best performance of the season on Saturday when they advanced to the second round of the Subway National Cup Trophy thanks to a 1-0 win over Tramore.

The game was all about two Katies - at the back Katie Mullins was cool, calm and collective with a string of telling interceptions and clearances; up front Katie Harnett was always a threat and capped an excellent display with the match-winning goal.

Celtic were on top from the start and were unlucky when Lucy Willoughby shot a shade too high from an assist by Katie Harnett. Livewire Ruby Mullins, the engine of the team, found herself in the clear only to see her effort shave the post. It was all Celtic as Tramore were restricted to breakaways.

Next it was the turn of Kaley Mooney to test the ’keeper after good work by Julia Healy. The deadlock was almost broken when the persistence of Ellie Roche created an opening however Ruby Mullins could only watch in agony as her fine effort rebounded off a post.

In the new half it was the visitors who enjoyed their best period of possession. Celtic keeper Caoileann Dowling’s handling and distribution was first class as she dealt capably with the best efforts of the Tramore girls. Ríonach Young, Eva Roche, and Gráinne Meagher were always in control as the tide began to turn. Grace Corbett proved her worth with strong goal kicks and free kicks, her dead ball deliveries set up numerous attacking positions.

Again, Celtic created and in the blink of an eye Katie Harnett shot straight at the keeper and then Aoibheann Brennan did likewise having been put in the clear by the hard-working Lucy Willoughby.

Soon after Ruby Mullins went close the goal Celtic deserved finally arrived. In a crowded goalmouth Katie Harnett swivelled excellently and was rewarded when her daisycutter eluded the Tramore ’keeper and nestled in the corner of the net. As the game wore on Celtic sub Mary Lou Rowe made a number of telling runs to take the pressure off the winners. Soon after the final whistle sounded much to the delight of the home support.

Team – Caoileann Dowling, Katie Mullins, Ríonach Young, Eva Roche, Ruby Mullins, Julia Healy, Grace Corbett, Gráinne Meagher, Lucy Willoughby, Katie Harnett, Kaley Mooney. Subs ; Ellie Roche, Ellie Shields, Mary Lou Rowe, Eve Kennedy, Aoibheann Brennan, Muireann Meagher, Sara Garcia.