All the latest news from the Cavan Ladies

All
the latest news from the Cavan Ladies

 

 

Division
4 ladies league final St Finbarr’s 1-09 Killinkere 0-12

A gripping encounter was witnessed on Saturday last as
St Finbarrs and Killinkere fought it out for the division
four title which ended in a draw leaving the teams to
do it all over again in a replay. Before the game, Killinkere
would have been tipped as favorites, but it was their
opponents that led the game, and were unlucky not to have
come away victorious.

The game was played at a tremendous pace despite the wet
under foot conditions. It was St Finbarrs that started
the livelier team with three unanswered points from Kathleen
Smith, Sarah Reilly and Laura Fitzpatrick. Indeed St Finbarrs
should have had a goal but for the brilliant cave from
Killinkere goalkeeper Eleanor Smith. That save gave Killinkere
great momentum and points followed from Emer McGovern
and Edel Donnelly. But Pamela Crowe quickly slowed down
the Killinkere attacks with a point from a free in the
20th minute. Then minutes later Kathleen Smith got her
hand to a long ball into the square to punch the ball
into the net for a goal for St Finbarrs.

Killinkere tried to counter this and were unfortunate
when Sinead Denning shot for goal only to see the Michelle
O’Hare make a super save and clearance out of the goalmouth.
With half time approaching Killinkere pressed forward
again and converted a free after Orla Sullivan was fouled.
The score finished up at half time 1-04 to 0-03 to St
Finbarrs Killinkere started their fight back straight
from the outset of the second half. Edel Donnelly scored
two points to narrow the scores followed by a point from
Emer McGovern to leave the only one point between them
much to the delight of the traveling supporters. Edel
Donnelly then put Killinkere up by one point with two
great scores from play. Killinkere, the junior championship
finalists and Division three 9-a-side winners were hotly
tipped to take the crown but county captain Pamela Crowe
and her team had other ideas.

Sarah Reilly scored a point in the 15th minute to equalize
matters before Pamela Crowe edged St Finbarrs ahead with
a point from a free. Emer McGovern equalized for Killinkere
in the 25th minute before Sarah Reilly again put St Finbarrs
ahead with a point. Edel Donnelly responded straight away
for Killinkere when she put the ball over the bar to leave
both sides even. The final few minutes were as exciting
as one gets. With either side using all their passion
and strength to find the winning score it was St Finbarrs
that scored a point from substitute Sinead Galligan in
what looked like a winning score. With the game now in
injury time it looked like St Finbarrs were on course
for a win but Killinkere bravely fought on and managed
to get the ball down the field quickly where Emer McGovern
latched on to a hand pass to fire the ball over the bar
for a late equalizer.

St Finbarrs: M OHare, C Kissane, K O Hare, D Sheridan,
L Brady, A Moore, P Crowe, U Cusack, S Reilly, D Fitzpatrick,
K Smith, L Fitzpatrick
Killinkere: E Smith, L Clarke, C Delaney, V Kettyle,
A Duff, A Clarke, E McGovern, L Clarke, E Donnelly, L
Smith, S Denning, E O’Reilly, O O’Sullivan
Referee: Micheal Lyons (Drumalee)

Minutes Silence: There was a minute’s silence held
before the game commenced when players and patrons alike
stood to attention as a mark of respect to the late Claire
Kelly from Killinkere who passed away recently.

Division 1 final this weekend: Lacken and Knockbride
will come face to face this weekend when they meet in
the division one league final. An intriguing contest is
forecasted as both sides aim to make up for their championship
performances this year. Last years winners Knockbride
will be hoping to bring the cup back home and will be
looking to players like Carmel Rodgers, Claire Murtagh
and ace free taker Aisling Traynor. Up front the dynamic
duo of county forwards Emma Clarke and Elaine Costin will
be a major threat for Lacken and if these two players
are on form then the opposition will have their hands
full. Lacken on the other hand will have the assistance
of Donegal woman Debbie Lee Fox who will surely be called
upon to make a huge contribution for her new club. Lacken
will also look to sister’s Rosemary and Miranda Crowe
as well as Eireann Galligan and the O’Keefe sisters Roisin
and Sinead. Whilst they have a very young side they are
also very talented and will be just as confident of victory
as Knockbride. A Royal battle is predicted as these two
great teams battle it out for the last major honour of
the year. Debbie Lee Fox has a major influence on any
team and is a great addition for any team she plays for,
but will it be enough to stop the Knockbride experienced
players from claiming another title.

Ladies Shield Final Preview: Ballyhaise and Gowna
will contest this years Shield final this weekend. Gowna,
fresh from their recent D3 league title will be hoping
to add to their trophy trawl. They will be depending on
the Lynch sisters Patricia, Katie, and Anne Marie as well
as the Fitzpatrick sisters Paula and Niamh. Aishling Harton
will lead the defence and with Laura Pearson on the wing
give Gowna a great chance of beating the odds Ballyhaise
will be hoping to put recent defeats behind them and enter
the game as favorites. They will be hoping Julie Leddy,
Elaine Reilly, and Aileen Smith will be on form to launch
attacks up to their forwards. With names such as Roisin
Greenan, Blathnaid Dunne, Collette McCaul, and Aoife Costello
Gowna are sure to have their hands full trying to curtail
these stylish forwards.