Burren Gaels win Clare U-14 Title

Burren Gaels win Clare U-14 Title

 

Match Report Clare Ladies Football U-14 C Championship Final
Venue: Kilfenora. Date: Sunday, July 22nd.

Referee: Seán Ó hAodha

Burren Gaels 2 – 7 The Banner 2 – 5

On a splendid evening for football two wonderfully
matched teams played out a hugely entertaining U-14 C Final
in Kilfenora on Sunday evening. The large attendance was on
tender-hooks throughout this thrilling game and great credit
to both teams for providing this high octane final. It was
a classic townies against the countrysiders game and on this
occasion the girls from the North West of Clare showed the
greater hunger in the second half to deservedly lift the county
championship trophy. The Banner of Ennis were hot favourites
entering the game as they had overcome the Gaels in the earlier
round-robin stages of this competition. The form book seemed
to be standing up well in the early exchanges when the Banner
raced into a 1 – 2 to 0 – 1 lead thanks to a goal and a point
from Helen Hehir and another point from Chloe Morey to the
Gael’s single reply from Megan Byrne.

The North Clare side were not for wilting however and their
diminutive ace Roisín Howley soon had them back in the game
with an opportunist goal following some hesitancy in the Banner’s
defence. Shortly afterwards Kayleigh McCormack was on hand
to score a levelling point and it was game on in earnest.
The Banner weathered some threatening attacks before breaking
downfield to score a very good goal from corner forward Orlaith
Lynch. Suzy O’Shea added another point for the town team just
on half time to leave the interval score 2 – 3 to 1 – 2 in
favour of the Banner. Shortly after the resumption Alice Lynch
pointed for the Banner to give them a double score 2 – 4 to
1 -2 lead.

James Lafferty presenting
the Cup to the Burren Gales captain

Suddenly the whole complexion of the game changed and Burren
Gaels seemed to get a second lease of life. Points from Roisín
Howley and Megan Byrne narrowed the gap before Chloe Morey added
another point for the Banner with twelve minutes remaining. These
final twelve minutes belonged to the Gaels however as they fought
tooth and nail for every ball. Some excellent saves in the Banner
goals by keeper Karen Woods seemed destined to keep them at bay
however but Megan Byrne slotted over a good point to leave just
a goal between the sides with ten minutes remaining. Three minutes
later Byrne was again on hand to cut through the Banner defence
and this time she made no mistake with a pile-driver low to the
left corner of the net. The scores were now level and the momentum
was definitely with the Burren Gaels. They laid siege on the Ennis
goals and despite stout defending by the Banner backs the Gaels
eventually broke through for match winning points from Roisín
Howley and Kayleigh McCormack. The Banner threw everything at
the Gaels in the final two minutes in an all out effort to rescue
the game but eventually in a welter of excitement for the large
home support referee Johnny Hayes blew the final whistle.

Clare U-14C Champions Burren Gaels

Scenes of great jubilation greeted the final whistle and indeed
few could grumble that the better overall team on the evening
had won. What a match however – easily one of the best finals
at any grade in Clare ladies football for some time – and great
credit to both teams and their mentors for this. However Burren
Gaels’ mentors Deirdre Jordan and Mark Mulqueen were the happier
team coaches at the end and great well done to them for masterminding
this win against the odds. Following the game Clare Ladies Board
Chairman James Lafferty presented the Championship trophy to the
winning captain of Burren Gaels. A triumphant cavalcade then headed
north at the gate for an evening of joyous celebrations.

Clare U-14C Runners Up The Banner
Scorers: Burren Gaels: Megan Byrne 1 – 3, Roisín
Howley 1 – 2, Kayleigh McCormack 0 – 2. The Banner: Helen
Hehir 1 – 1, Orlaith Lynch 1 – 0, Chloe Morey 0 – 2, Suzy
O’Shea 0 – 1, Alice Lynch 0 – 1.

Dr. Paul McKenna, PRO Clare Ladies Football. 086 – 6036385
www.bannerladiesfootball.com

PS: Please remember Clare .v. Tipperary next Wednesday @ 7.15pm
at Cusack Park in the Munster U-16 B Final. PPS: Clare Intermediate
team play Fermanagh next Saturday at Cusack Park in the All
Ireland Intermediate Championship. Throw in is at 1.00pm.
Support requested.

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