Rockvale Rovers finish strongly to claim U21 Division 4 crown

Rockvale Rovers 4-17
Aherlow 3-9

Rockvale Rovers were crowned TLGFA John Kennedy Motors U21 Division 4 champions after a powerful second-half display saw them pull clear of Aherlow in an entertaining final.

Aherlow battled bravely and were well in contention for long spells, leading by two points at half-time, but Rockvale Rovers found another gear after the interval. A devastating scoring burst, led by Áine Finn, Caoimhe Troy and Rebecca Moylan, turned the game decisively in their favour as they ran out 11-point winners. 

Rockvale made a dream start when Caoimhe Troy struck for goals in the third and fifth minutes, giving her side an early 2-0 to 0-1 advantage. Aherlow, however, responded through the excellent Róisín Carew, who kept her side in touch from frees before raising a green flag of her own in the eighth minute.

Carew was central to everything good about Aherlow’s attacking play. She finished with a superb personal tally of 2-7, including two goals from play and seven pointed frees. Chloe Sheehan also made a significant contribution, scoring 1-2, including a second-half goal that briefly gave Aherlow renewed momentum.

The first half developed into an absorbing contest. Rockvale’s early goals had put them in command, but Aherlow gradually worked their way back into the game. Points from Carew and Sheehan helped Aherlow move ahead, and when Carew struck her second goal in the 22nd minute, the home side led 2-5 to 2-4.

A point from Áine Finn levelled matters shortly after, but Aherlow finished the half strongly through frees from Sheehan and Carew to lead 2-7 to 2-5 at the break.

Rockvale began the second half with purpose. Finn opened the scoring after the restart, and although Chloe Sheehan’s goal in the 37th minute pushed Aherlow into a 3-7 to 2-6 lead, it proved to be their last major surge.

From there, Rockvale took control. Heather O’Neill, Rebecca Moylan and Finn added important points before Finn struck a crucial goal in the 51st minute. That score put Rockvale ahead 3-11 to 3-8 and shifted the momentum firmly their way.

The winners continued to press home their advantage. Finn added further points from play, while Moylan was accurate from frees and then delivered the decisive blow with a goal in the 58th minute. Late points from Finn and O’Neill stretched the margin, with Carew landing Aherlow’s final score from a free in added time.

For Rockvale, Áine Finn was outstanding at full-forward, finishing with 1-8, all from play. Troy’s early double-goal salvo gave them the perfect platform, while Moylan’s 1-3 and O’Neill’s two points were also vital. Ailín Kennedy added a first-half point from midfield.

Aherlow will take credit for the character they showed, particularly after conceding two early goals, but Rockvale’s greater spread of scorers and dominant final quarter proved decisive.

Scorers — Rockvale Rovers: Áine Finn 1-8, Caoimhe Troy 2-2, Rebecca Moylan 1-3, Heather O’Neill 0-2, Ailín Kennedy 0-1, team score 0-1.
Aherlow: Róisín Carew 2-7, Chloe Sheehan 1-2.