The Railyard senior ladies team made the trip to Blessington at the weekend to take part in the annual Mick Reid seven-a-side competition which was hosted by Blessington ladies football club with the proceeds going to local cancer fundraising.
The Railyard ladies are very experienced at the seven-a-side game having claimed the All-Ireland intermediate sevens title in 2006 and were unlucky to lose out at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Brian Borus of Tipperary in 2009 and Banner Ladies of Clare last month. In 2007 Railyard travelled to New York and shocked all with a series of wins before defeating favourites Cavan in a cracking final to claim the North American seven-a-side crown. Compared to battles such as these last week’s tournament in Blessington was played in a great spirit but nonetheless Railyard were determined to claim the trophy for a second time having won the tournament in 2006. Teams from Bray, Baltinglass, Blessington, Valleymount and Eadestown (Kildare ) completed the line up and the sun shone throughout on the excellent facilities at Blessington GAA club. With many of the girls lining out with St Martin’s u21 camogie team on the day Railyard were without a number of key players but with the tournament organised to fund raise for a worthy cause the girls were able to call on the services of two of their county colleagues and Martina Maher of Muckalee and Jenny Reddy of Thomastown came to the rescue. Reddy has been in superb form for Thomastown and Kilkenny all year while Martina Maher who had already won championships in Laois and Kilkenny with Railyard from 2001 to 2006, claimed this year’s county junior title with her native Muckalee last month.
In their opening game Railyard accounted for host side Blessington with ease rattling in 10-6 to Blessington’s 1-5. All the Railyard players got on the scoresheet with Miriam O’Keeffe, Sara Buggy and their guest forward Jenny Reddy leading the charge with a string of scores each. Round 2 proved a tougher affair against Wicklow senior finalists Valleymount. Martina Maher took up duty at the back for Railyard and foiled several Valleymount attacks with a string of timely tackles. Unusually for a seven-a-side game no goals were scored and the final whistle sounded at 0-7 apiece although the two sides were of the opinion that Railyard had pipped it by 0-8 to 0-7. The result however was immaterial as both sides were now into the semi finals. This time Railyard faced Valleymount’s B side and won easily 7-6 to 0-3. Once again Miriam O’Keeffe and Sara Buggy led the Railyard attack while the Wicklow girls could not match the pace of Jenny Reddy who covered acres of ground as well as chipping in with a brace of goals. April Purcell and Grainne Daly were unbeatable at the back and raided up the wings at will while Michelle Dowd and Laurena Murphy were well in control at midfield. The final saw Railyard square up to Eadestown of Kildare who were also unbeaten and have a great record at club competitions having won the All Ireland junior club championship in recent years. Eadestown were on the attack from the start and opening the scoring with a well taken goal but Martin Buggy used his panel well interchanging regularly for the entire twenty minutes. Michelle Dowd and Laurena Murphy were towers of strength at midfield and grabbed a stranglehold on the game to set up Miriam O Keeffe and Jenny Reddy for 1-1 apiece to put Railyard narrowly ahead at the break. With Purcell and Daly in sublime form in defence Martina Maher and Sara Buggy entered the fray and added to Railyard’s tally with two points from 16 year old Buggy while Maher soloed through from midfield to plant the ball beyond the Eadestown keeper to seal the game for Railyard on a 3-4 to 1-3 scoreline.
The teams were treated to refreshments after the game while medals were presented to the finalists. Margaret Reid presented the Mick Reid memorial cup to Laurena Murphy while Noelle Curran received the player of the tournament award. A very enjoyable day was had by all the teams involved and some much needed funds were raised for the Mick Reid cancer charity.
