Banner win Clare Junior B Final

Date: November 4th 2007. Venue: Kilmihil. Referee: Orlaith Griffin
(Fergus Rovers). The Banner 4 – 10 Burren Gaels 1 – 4 Although
the Banner, captained by Rachel Hobbs, ran out convincing winners
in the end this highly entertaining and sporting game remained
competitive until the final quarter. In this final fifteen minutes
the greater overall level of fitness of the Ennis team shone through
and their flagging North Clare rivals could not maintain the pace
and thus conceded some significant late scores which put a flattering
look on the scoreboard for the winners. Played in ideal conditions
in Kilmihil on Sunday the game got off to a brisk start with play
sweeping from end to end. The Banner posed the most significant
early threats but the game remained scoreless for the opening
ten minutes thanks to some resolute defending by the Gael’s backline
for whom K. Dowling was having a storming game at full back. Eventually
the Banner broke the deadlock with a Louise Woods point from play
on eleven minutes which was quickly followed by a Lauren Dooley
pointed free.

The Gaels answered with a Megan Byrne pointed free before Louise Woods found the net to give the town team a 1 – 3 to 0 – 1 lead after twenty minutes. It was nip and tuck from here to the interval and despite the Gaels having L. Carrucan sin binned on twenty four minutes they remained very much in touch. Both teams added points in this period to leave the score 1 – 4 to 0 – 3 at the interval. Everything was still to play for as the sides retired to their respective dressing rooms. The Banner were first to score on the resumption with another Woods point but then the Gaels hit back with a good goal which was palmed to the net by corner forward B. Linnane following a good save in the Banner goal by Aidín Shannon. Indeed Shannon had come to the Banner’s rescue with a fantastic under the crossbar save in the dying minutes of the first half to ensure their half time lead. Shortly after the Gael’s goal further misfortune was to strike the Banner when they had wing back Caoimhe O’Dea sin binned and the Gaels struck over a pointed free. Thus with ten minutes of the half played the score read The Banner 1 – 5 Burren Gaels 1 – 4 and the game was in the melting pot. However the fourteen girl Banner side suddenly seemed energised and really stepped the pace of the game up a notch or two. Quick fire goals came from the boots of Alice Lynch and Louise Woods while Lauren Dooley and the newly introduced Rebecca Culligan added points. Twenty minutes into the half the Banner had established an unassailable 3 – 7 to 1 – 4 lead and were coasting. Try as they might the Gaels could not penetrate the Banner rearguard for whom Deirdre Kelleher in particular at centre back was having an outstanding game. The Banner finished in a flurry and had further points from Culligan, Woods and Dooley before Mary Allan cracked home a late goal. Thus at the final whistle the Ennis based side were worthy and deserving winners on a 4-10 to 1-4 scoreline. Best for the winners were in defence goalkeeper Aidín Shannon and backs Laurie Ryan, Caoimhe O’Dea and the outstanding Deirdre Kelleher. Louise Woods played a storming game a centrefield and was ably assisted up front by Mary Allan, Kim Moloney, Lauren Dooley and Alice Lynch.

Banner Captain Rachel Hobbs

For the losers midfielders L. Carrucan and A.O’Sullivan played their hearts out and neither goalkeeper Tiana Flanagan nor full back K. Dowling could be faulted. Up front Megan Byrne and Katie O’Brien tried hard. Following the game newly appointed Clare Ladies Football Board Chairman Johnny Hayes presented the championship trophy to a delighted Banner captain Rachel Hobbs. Referee Orlaith Griffin, in charge of her first major adult final, did very well even if she was a little fussy at times and could possibly have allowed the game to flow with better use of the advantage rule. The Kilmihil pitch and grounds were in excellent order for this match and great credit is due to the local club for this.

Banner: A. Shannon, N. Walsh, L. Ryan, M. Conway, C. O’Dea, D.
Kelleher, R. McNamara, L. Woods (2-4), A. Martin, K. Moloney,
M. Allan (1-0), A. Lynch (1-0), R. Hobbs (Capt.), L. Dooley (0-4),
E. Glynn. Subs: R. Culligan (0-2), C. Dolan.

Burren Gaels: T. Flanagan, M. Commane, K. Dowling, C. Commane,
R. Curtin, S. McMahon, N. Tierney, L. Carrucan, A. O’Sullivan,
R. Crowe, L. Stack, D. Flaherty, M. Byrne, K. O’Brien, B. Linnane.

Dr. Paul McKenna, Sec./PRO, The Banner Ladies Football Club, Inis,
Co. an Chláir. www.bannerladiesfootball.com mckennapc@eircom.net