20/05/2026
Competing in the NEFL UHY Farrelly Dawe White Division 1 Shield, Carrick Rovers Senior Ladies faced Kinnegad at home on Monday night, May 18th 2026, in wet and miserable weather conditions. Heavy rainpour, and a soaked pitch made football difficult from the first whistle, but it was the drama before kick-off that really tested the home side.
Just minutes before the game, Carrick Rovers were dealt a huge blow with the news that they had no goalkeeper available. The pressure instantly mounted on the team, with players and management scrambling for a solution. In stepped Kelly Lynch, who despite never having played in goals before, bravely volunteered to take on the role for the team.
From the outset, Kinnegad looked to use the conditions to their advantage, putting early pressure on the Carrick Rovers defence. After just six minutes, Kinnegad got the break they were looking for and found the back of the net to take an early lead.
But Carrick Rovers responded immediately and showed tremendous character. Just two minutes later, Carrick came back fighting with a brilliant move finished by Nadine Cathcart after a perfectly timed assist from Grace Elliot, levelling the game at 1-1 and lifting the spirits of the home side and supporters alike.
Kinnegad continued to press hard, moving the ball quickly and effortlessly around the pitch despite the difficult conditions. Their pressure paid off again when they grabbed a second goal on the 22nd minute from a free kick before adding another on the 26th minute, leaving Carrick Rovers trailing 3-1.
However, Carrick struck back once again before the break. On the 29th minute, Tracy Clarke delivered a lovely switch of play from the left side across to Grace Elliot on the right, who effortlessly found the back of the net to pull another goal back for Carrick.
Just before the break, Carrick suffered another setback when a heavy tackle on Kelly Ward left her unable to continue. She was forced to come off and was replaced by Kate Burns, who would later make a huge impact on the game.
Frustration began to creep in as the first half wore on, but the fight never left the Carrick side. Up front, Abbie Shields continued her relentless work rate, chasing every loose ball and battling defenders at every opportunity. Her tireless tackling and determination eventually saw her receive a yellow card on the 37th minute after another committed challenge. The scoreline now stood at 3-2, giving the home side renewed belief heading towards half time.
Going into the second half, nerves were high in the Carrick camp. Three substitutions were made at the break, but as a team Carrick Rovers were determined to bring the game back to a scoreline that reflected the incredible work rate being shown all over the pitch.
That determination paid off almost immediately. Just four minutes into the second half, Kate Sullivan-Burns delivered a superb cross into the box which found Nadine Cathcart, who calmly finished on the 49th minute to pull Carrick back into the game. The scoreline now stood at 3-3, and suddenly the momentum had shifted.
The comeback gathered even more pace just a minute later. Lynch drove the ball up the pitch from goals where it found rovers getting awarded a free kick just short from the half way mark, golden feet, Grace Elliot, stood up to take the free and beautifully placed the ball into the top corner of the net after a free kick was awarded. Suddenly the game was well and truly on, with the scoreline now standing at 4-3 and Carrick Rovers roaring back into contention.
Rovers continued to press hard, piling pressure on the Kinnegad defence, but being caught offside on numerous occasions made it difficult to fully capitalise on their attacking runs and get the scoreline to where their performance deserved.
Kinnegad, however, refused to back down and kept applying pressure of their own. Their persistence eventually paid off in the 76th minute when they struck from just outside the box to level the game once again at 4-4 in what had become a thrilling contest despite the awful conditions.
The terrible weather made flowing football nearly impossible, turning the game into a gritty and physical battle. Carrick Rovers dug deep throughout the pitch, with every player putting in a huge shift for one another. Defenders threw themselves into tackles, midfielders battled tirelessly in difficult conditions while carrying injuries and illness, and the forwards worked relentlessly to relieve pressure whenever possible.
Abbie Shields was outstanding throughout, working tirelessly from the first minute to the last. Chasing down every ball, closing defenders at every opportunity and never giving them a moment’s peace, she proved to be an absolute nightmare for the Kinnegad back line. Her determination and fighting spirit perfectly summed up the attitude shown by the entire Carrick Rovers squad.
Despite the odds stacked against them before a ball was even kicked, Carrick Rovers showed tremendous spirit, teamwork and resilience throughout the 90 minutes. Special credit must go to Kelly Lynch for stepping into an unfamiliar position and giving everything for the team in extremely challenging circumstances.
While the conditions may not have allowed for beautiful football, the commitment and determination shown by the Carrick Rovers ladies was something everyone at the club could be proud of. It was a night that showed what true teamwork and heart looks like.
⚽️⚽️🗓️Next Game
Monday the 25th of May, home match V Torro United, K.O @ 7.30pm, all support welcome.
