05/09/2026
Match Report – MSL U15 West Grading League
Temple Villa 4 v 4 Kinnegad Juniors
On Saturday morning, the regrouped Kinnegad Juniors Under 15 girls travelled to Temple Villa for their opening game in the MSL U15 West Grading League. With just the bare eleven players available, it was always going to be a difficult afternoon.
After just seven minutes, Zoe C suffered an injury and had to come off, leaving Kinnegad with ten players. Already without defensive mainstay Leah, we were forced into an early reshuffle. To their enormous credit, Temple Villa chose to withdraw one of their own players and make it 10 v 10. They did not have to do this, and the sportsmanship shown by their players and coaching staff was outstanding. It was a great example of putting the girls and the game ahead of taking an advantage.
Captain Lauren dropped back into the back three and was immense, while Katelyn moved into midfield. Skye, normally an energetic midfielder, continued in defence and was outstanding against Temple Villa’s most dangerous player. Their number 9 scored all four of their goals, but Skye never stopped battling and made sure she certainly didn’t have it all her own way.
Zoe B put Kinnegad ahead on 27 minutes and restored the lead on 35 after Villa had equalised. Temple Villa levelled again before half-time to leave it 2-2.
The second half followed the same pattern. Zoe completed her hat-trick to make it 3-2, before Villa equalised again. Katelyn then received the ball on the edge of the box and produced a superb looping finish for her first ever goal for Kinnegad Juniors. Kaka had arrived! Villa equalised again on 64 minutes to make it 4-4.
There were excellent performances throughout the team. Vakare was outstanding in goal, showing superb awareness, communication and bravery. Grace was, as ever, dependable and always in the right place. Sarah was constantly switched on, particularly defensively, while Pola never stopped running and working for the team. Lily put in a great shift in midfield and Katelyn adapted brilliantly to a new role. Bella worked tirelessly up front and was unlucky not to score, while Zoe B’s hat-trick provided the cutting edge.
Woman of the Match: A very difficult decision, with Vakare, Lauren, Skye and Zoe B all having strong claims. This week’s award goes to our captain Lauren. Asked to move from midfield into the back three after just seven minutes, she was exceptional throughout and led by example.
Team: Vakare, Skye, Grace, Zoe C, Lily, Lauren, Pola, Katelyn, Zoe B, Bella, Sarah
Darren, Stephen and Deirdre (Sinead and Greta absent today)
