Point Scoring Extravaganza from Robinson powers Na Fianna to victory in Season Opener

Na Fianna 5-15; Charlotte 1-1

On the 15th of June, Na Fianna travelled to Charlotte to take on the local ladies team at the Overcash Soccer Complex in Game 1 of the Southeastern Divisional Ladies Championship. The game was brought forward to 12:30, so intense heat was expected for this season opener. Thankfully, the weather was strangely obliging on this occasion and the Atlanta ladies were able to give full vent to their skills, as indeed were the Charlotte ladies, without fear of collapsing from heat exhaustion. In the end, a point-taking display from Joanna Robinson proved to be the catalyst for a successful first venture away into North Carolina for Na Fianna.

It was not all plain sailing, however, and a somewhat nervy opening had some of the Atlanta fans fearing for their night out in Charlotte. Although Na Fianna was first on the scoresheet, courtesy of a point from Ms. Robinson, Charlotte pounced for a goal, and followed that up moments later with a point to put them solidly in the lead after roughly eight minutes of play. From that moment forward, Na Fianna took control of the game and never let their hosts back into game with all of the forwards and midfielders getting on the scoresheet, and Lil O’Sullivan adding a goal from her centerback position for good measure.

In goals, Shannon Scott was as dependable as ever, and apart from some shaky opening moments, her fullback line were equally as dependable. In particular, Charlotte played a lot of ball into Emily Ely’s corner, but she was never found wanting, and indeed, between herself and Jessica Ohmann in front of her, the right side of the field proved to be the source of some of Na Fianna’s best movements. Bridget Lawlor was solid at fullback, and Joyce Sweeney was rarely tested in the other corner, but passed with flying colours when she was.

The half-back line of Ohmann, O’Sullivan, and Sharon McAleer were solid throughout and cleaned up an amount of loose ball behind the midfield of Jen Beatto and Ivett Kyriacou. These five players were the platform which allowed the attack to express itself so fully. Robinson ran the show from centerforward, having a hand in nearly all of Na Fianna’s passing movements, picking the right moments to run at defence or play a direct ball into the inside forwards. In front of goals, she turned in an immaculate performance and kept the scoreboard ticking over with a string of points from play and from frees.

Kelly Kamees and Kim Wilkins swapped positions, with Kamees moving inside to the corner, and Wilkins moving to the wing. It was a move that would prove fruitful for both of them with Wilkins absolutely buzzing in her new position and Kamees harrying the Charlotte fullbacks and goalie any time they were in possession. Over on the other wing, Natalia Kyriacou added to work put in by Ohmann and Ely behind her, and was able to progress the ball into the full-forward line, where Karina Clarke continued where she left off from the week before, clipping points over from all angles. At full-forward Summer Porter provided a new dimension to the forward play of Na Fianna, offering herself as an excellent target for the players further out the field. Lauren Swilling, April Bruno, and Erin Whigham acquitted themselves admirably, and Swilling was unlucky not to add to the total when one of her shots whistled just wide of the butt of the left hand upright.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, we have no accurate account of the scorers, but we do know that Kim Wilkins, Natalia Kyriacou, Ivett Kyriacou, Karina Clarke and Lil O’Sullivan scored goals. Despite not having accurate totals, even a cursory at the game would have told you that Joanna Robinson led the way in scoring, and for this reason, and for her high standard of general play, she was the obvious and unanimous choice for MVP of this game.

Na Fianna, Atlanta is very proud to have been involved in the very first competitive game of Ladies Gaelic Football to be played in Charlotte, North Carolina. The local club hosted us in great style and provided great food and entertainment for the evening. Reports from Connolly’s on 5th have confirmed that the pub suffered no structural damage as a result of our trip. We look forward to returning the favour when they join us in Atlanta on July 21st, when we will host them at our sponsors the James Joyce Pub.

Na Fianna:
Shannon Scott,
Emily Ely, Bridget Lawlor, Joyce Sweeney,
Jess Ohmann, Lil O’Sullivan, Sharon McAleer,
Ivett Kyriacou, Jennifer Beatto,
Natalia Kyriacou, Joanna Robinson, Kelly Kamees,
Karina Clarke, Summer Porter, Kim Wilkins,
Lauren Swilling, April Bruno, Erin Whigham

Scorers: (without final totals)
Joanna Robinson, Karina Clarke, Kim Wilkins, Natalia Kyriacou, Ivett Kyriacou, Lil O’Sullivan, Jen Beatto, Kelly Kamees, Summer Porter

MVP: Joanna Robinson.