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.