Abbeydorney capture the Intermediate Crown

 

 

Abbeydorney
2-13 Clann Eireann 1-5

Abbeydorney of Kerry added the Ladies football All Ireland
Intermediate crown of 2005 to their 2004 junior title
in a scintillating display of team football in Banagher
today when they defeated Clann Eireann of Armagh on a
2-13 to 1-5 scoreline.

Both sides exchanged wides in the opening minutes before
Noreen Fealy opened the scoring with a pointed free on
the tenth minute. The opening quarter was very closely
contested with both defences on top; the game had all
the appearance of a tight low scoring game but this all
changed in the 17th. Minute when a brilliant passing movement
by the Kerry forwards opened the Clann Eireann defence
and Noreen Fealy slotted home a goal, a minute later Denise
O Hagan in the Armagh net was unlucky to see a high ball
from Sinead Bunyan hop on the edge of the square and float
over her head into the back of the net. The Kerry halfback
line of Jackie Murnane Natlie O Connor and the outstanding
Laura O Mahony kept the Armagh forwards well in check
meanwhile the Armagh backs had no answer to slick passing
and movement of the Kerry forwards and Katie Kennelly
tagged on four more points.

The Armagh girls rallied and centre forward Maighdlin
Mc Alinden opened their account on the 26th. Minute, they
were unlucky to see a shot come back off the crossbar
and a minute later Maria Donnelly pointed a free. Abbeydorney
struck three injury time points to leave them with a comfortable
half time lead of 2-9 to 2 points.

With five of the Armagh Junior All-Ireland team in their
ranks this Clann Eireann team were not going to lie down
and they came out in the second half with all guns blazing
with Shauna O Hagan the driving force from midfield. Marie
Donnelly was unlucky to see her third minute free come
back off the angle of the goals, but when she was fouled
in the square minutes later she took full retribution
by slotting home the resultant penalty, and added a pointed
free.

The Abbeydorney girls had weathered the storm and points
from corner forwards Sinead Buynan and Laura Ross stretched
their lead. Maighdlin Mc Alinden made a determined run
through the Kerry defence and was unlucky to see her powerful
shot flash across the goals. Edel O Connell who had played
a captains part all day driving her team on from midfield
pointed in the 20th. Minute. With five minutes remaining
Natlie O Connor was taken off injured to be replaced by
Eimer Mc Elligott.Gemma O Sullivan brought off a great
save from Victoria Hannon, Maria Donnelly had two pointed
frees but fittingly the final say of the match was a point
from player of the match Noreen Fealy who exuded class
with every touch of the ball.

Final score Abbeydorney 2-13 Clann Eireann 1-5

Abbeydorney: G O Sullivan B, Slattery, H McKenna,
M Shanahan, J Murnane, N O Connor, L O Mahony, E O Connell(0-1),
D Shanahan, K Kennelly(0-4), C Sexton, S Delaney, S Bunyan,(1-2),
N Fealy (1-5) L Ross (0-1).
Subs C O Regan, E McElligott for N O Connor, M Leen for
Delaney, C Collins, E O Mahony, S Collins, C O Connor.

Clann Eireann: D Hagan, A Mc Crory, A Kearney,
A Purdy, L Brown, S Mc Cleary, R O Mahony, S O Hagan,
M Moriarty, G Mc Alinden, M Mc Alinden(0-1), V Hannon,
O Donnelly, Maria Donnelly(1-4), M Hoye.
Subs E Maye for Purdy, Z Skelton, C McIikenney for Hoye,
E Hagan, O McConville, S Bell, F Beatty, C McAllinden,
E Bown L Hoye, S Henderson.
Referee: Peter Daly Westmeath.