Curraha/St. Vincents hosted Boardsmill in their opening game of the Jacksie Kiernan Plate, with the visitors edging a tight and eventful contest by a single point.

Boardsmill made the stronger start and dominated both their own kickouts and the Curraha/St. Vincents restarts in the opening ten minutes. That early control helped Boardsmill move into a 1-1 to no score lead.

The hosts settled well after that difficult opening spell. The half-forward line pushed higher up the pitch to compete for the Curraha/St. Vincents kickouts, and that change brought the home side into the game. Scores followed from Imogen Horgan, Ciara Morgan, Kirsty Greene and Katie Tuite as Curraha/St. Vincents turned the game around before the break.

Ciara Morgan was accurate from play and from frees, while Katie Tuite’s goal was a key score in the first half. Boardsmill replied with a point late in the half, but Curraha/St. Vincents went in with a five-point lead.

The hosts made the perfect start to the second half, scoring 1-3 without reply. Ciara Morgan hit 1-1, with Imogen Horgan and Katie Tuite also adding points as Curraha/St. Vincents stretched their lead.

Boardsmill responded well and hit 1-2 before the water break. After the restart, the visitors began to take control around the middle third and put together a strong attacking spell, landing seven points to move ahead by one.

Curraha/St. Vincents showed great character and responded through Katie Tuite, whose late point levelled the game. With two minutes left, Boardsmill won the resulting kickout and held possession patiently before working the chance to score what proved to be the winning point.

Curraha/St. Vincents won the final kickout but there was not enough time left to create another scoring chance.

This was Curraha/St. Vincents’ first game under the new rules, and they had a clear impact on the contest. Boardsmill had a player sin-binned for ten minutes just before half-time, while the ball was moved forward 50 metres on a number of occasions following dissent. Both goalkeepers were also called for crossing the 20-metre line on kickouts, and there were no two-point scores in the game.

There were also a number of key decisions throughout the match. Curraha/St. Vincents had two goals ruled out, including one in the first half for square ball. Boardsmill also made good use of the solo and go rule for a second-half score, while they were later called back on another quick restart. A Boardsmill player was also warned for two non-technical fouls.

Despite the narrow defeat, this was a hard-working performance from a young Curraha/St. Vincents side. When they moved the ball quickly and attacked at pace, they produced some excellent scores. Boardsmill’s experience, particularly in shot choice and in winning possession from kickouts, was a major factor in their comeback and eventual win.

Next up for Curraha/St. Vincents is an away fixture against Na Fianna’s in the first week of July.

Curraha/St. Vincents: Yanna Power, Ava Cleary, Ava Cleary, Maria Dardis, Larissa Carey, Phoebe Horgan, Ciara Burke, Shauna White, Lucy Andrews, Kirsty Greene, Katie Tuite, Imogen Horgan, Ellen Gough, Ciara Morgan, Ella O’Connor

Scorers: Ciara Morgan 1-5 (2f), Katie Tuite 1-3, Imogen Horgan 0-3, Kirsty Greene 0-1

Subs used: Ruby Andrews for Ellen Gough, Emily Mahon for Lucy Andrews.