Cavan's Knockbride capture their 2nd successive Senior Club Title

Cavan Crystal Hotel Senior Ladies Club Championship.

Knockbride 0-10 Erne Valley 2-03

A late point from Aisling Traynor earned Knockbride their
second successive senior club championship at Kingspan Breffni
Park on Saturday afternoon last.

The wintry conditions didn’t help the standard of football
on show and in the end it was to be a disappointing encounter.
However the closeness of the game on the scoreboard throughout
made up for it in excitement. The sides were level on no
more than five accessions over the hour.

The challengers were dealt a severe blow before a ball was
kicked when county star Emer Reilly was unable to start
after picking up an injury just days before the final.

The sides exchanged point for point in the opening twenty
minutes to leave it three apiece before the first real note
of the half came a minute later. Laura Pearson sending to
the Knockbride net with a dipping shot into the corner of
the net.

The Ulster champions were immediately fired up into action
and were back on level terms by the interval thanks to a
point from Elaine Costin and two from player of the match
Emma Clarke.

Nine minutes of the second period had elapsed when Erne
Valley hit the front again with their second goal, this
time Paula Fitzpatrick netting. However they failed to build
on the advantage and the reigning champions rallied with
a spirited final quarter. Three points in five minutes from
Arlene Clarke (2) and Emma Clarke had the side’s level again
entering a nail-biting final ten minutes.

Then with two minutes remaining Aisling Traynor split the
posts to give her side the lead for the first time in the
game, a lead they were to hold on to and retain the title.
Now they will head into Ulster and try and retain the provincial
title in October.

Knockbride: Deidre Dolan, Pamela Keaskin, Emma Traynor,
Louise McCabe, Mairead Smith, Edel Farrelly, Lisa McCabe,
Joanne McNally, Carmel McCabe, Arlene Clarke (0-02), Aisling
Traynor (0-02), Elaine Costin (0-01), Margaret Donohoe (0-01),
Emma Clarke (0-04), Nuala Rodgers,
Subs: Aggie Clarke, Christine Reegan, Nicole Clarke

Erne Valley: Patricia Beglan, Aileen Brady, Julie
Ann Sheridan, Kathleen Lynch, Lisa Reilly, Patricia Beglan,
Aisling Harton, Paula Fitzpatrick (1-00), Claire Phillips,
Julie Ann Brady, Breda Smith (0-02) Aine Brady, Denise Keogan
(0-01), Una Brady, Laura Pearson (1-00)
Subs: Niamh Reilly, Catherine Brady