Banner Ladies 7 - 4 Burren Gaels 2 - 2

Playing with the wind in the first half an early score was vital for the Gaels but their early sorties forward were emphatically rebuffed by the excellent Banner full back line of Áine Ó'Shea, Elaine Casey and Emma Neylon. The early dominance of Burren's Katie Connole and Bronagh Considine at midfield soon began to wane as the Banner's Aoibhinn Malone and Marie Clune began to take control in this vital area.

This dynamic duo began to land ball after ball in the North Clare danger area and while Burren full back Caoilfhinn McCormack was playing a stormer and clearing all before her something had to give eventually. The inevitable thus happened when the Banner captain Aisling Cahill latched onto a loose breaking ball to secure her side's second goal. The town side added further points from Clune and Eva O'Dea before Sinéad Quinn again evaded the defence to score her side's third goal. The Gaels were now in deep trouble but the fought on gamely and were rewarded with a good point just before the interval to give them renewed hope.

The Banner girls however started the second period just as they had left off in the first and were in for a quick-fire goal from Sinéad Quinn to really dampen the Burren side's comeback hopes. A further point from Malone and two excellent green flags from the same player ended the game as a contest. Sinéad Quinn finished the scoring for the Ennis side with another good goal with seven minutes remaining. In fairness the Burren Gaels side battled on and were rewarded for their tenacity with two excellent late goals and a point.

Following the match the Clare Ladies Board chairman Johnny Hayes presented the championship trophy to Banner Ladies captain Aisling Cahill. A word of praise to referee Eimear Considine from Kilmihil who was refereeing her first ever county final. The current Clare intermediate county star did not put a foot wrong and added to the enjoyment of proceedings for the large crowd in attendance.
Banner Ladies: Amy McNamara, Áine Ó'Shea, Elaine Casey, Emma Neylon, Aoife Keane, Eimear Rutherford, Marie Clune, Aoibhinn Malone, Eva O'Dea, Laura Chesser, Ailish Counihan, Aisling Cahill (capt), Sinéad Quinn.

Subs Used: Shauna O'Connor, Emily Maloney, Eve Copley, Emily Tone, Aisling Maher, Rachel Coote, Claire Talty, Megan Fitzgerald, Megan Crowley, Jessica Donnellan, Orlaith Martin, Nicole Dinan.

Burren Gaels: Laura McGann, Amy O'Brien, Caolfhinn McCormack, Ella Barrett, Roisín Kelly, Joanne Howley, Katie Connole, Bronagh Considine, Blathnaid Sheedy, Sarah O'Gorman, Shannon McCormack, Nicole Dannaher, Niamh Brennan.

Dr. Paul McKenna
Secretary/PRO,
Banner Ladies Football Club
www.bannerladiesfootball.com