Banner win Clare Junior B Final

The Banner win Clare Junior B Championship

 

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

 

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