Clare ladies U-16A Championship Final

A master class by Niamh Cahill at corner back paved the way for the Banner Ladies club’s fifth title in a row as goals from captain Niamh Walsh, Rebecca Culligan and Niamh O’Dea paved the way for a deserved victory.

Played in glorious sunshine in the magnificent Wolfe Tones pitch the Banner Ladies were dominant from the start with their Clare minor stars Niamh O’Dea, Katie Cahill, Laurie Ryan, Megan Haugh, Aoife Martin and Niamh Walsh all prominent.

The defending champions had the tonic of an early goal from team captain Niamh Walsh and from there on in they were never threatened although in fairness to Wolfe Tones they never gave in and battled gamely all through the match.

The Ennis club had just too many better players in vital positions to allow Wolfe Tones pose any serious threat. Harriet Flynn did well for Wolfe Tones keenly contesting midfield but even here the Banner Ladies eventually held sway with Aoife Martin and Katie Cahill teaming up well. Moira McGrath was another to shine for Wolfe Tones as she alternated between her selected full forwarded position and a third midfielder role.

By the interval the Banner Ladies had swept into a 2-6 to 0-1 lead with their goals coming from Niamh Walsh and Rebecca Culligan. Points were added by Niamh O’Dea, Megan Haugh and Katie Cahill while Wolfe Tones replied with a McGrath point. Wolfe Tones were unfortunate to miss a penalty in this first half and had they scored it would have put a more positive look on the half-time scoreline.

The Banner Ladies extended their lead early in the second half with points for O’Dea, Haugh, Culligan and Katie Cahill. Midway through the half Niamh O’Dea scored her side’s third goal and the game was well and truly over as a contest. The Banner Ladies were to add further points from Orlaith Lynch, Laoise Talty and O’Dea before Sinéad Kelly slipped through for a well worked Wolfe Tones goal. Megan O’Sullivan and Claire O’Brien also added points for Wolfe Tones.

In the end the Banner Ladies were well worth their winning margin and had the luxury of being able to introduce their whole bench to the field of play. Following the game Mr. Johnny Hayes, Chairman Clare Ladies Football presented the 2009 U-16A Championship trophy to winning captain Niamh Walsh

Banner Ladies: Orla hennessy, Niamh cahill, Laurie Ryan, Catherine Dolan, Sinéad O’Keeffe, Niamh O’Dea (1-4), Shauna Crowley, Aoife Martin, Katie Cahill (0-2), Niamh Walsh (1-0), Emma Glynn, Orlaith Lynch (0-1), Kathleen O’Keeffe, Megan Haugh (0-3), Rebecca Culligan (1-2).

Subs: Laoise Talty (0-1), Aideen Fitzgerald, Susie O’Shea, Eva O’Dea, Helen Hehir.

Wolfe Tones: Emily Childs, Eimear Danagher, Niamh Brady, Rachel O’Toole, Niamh Guinan, Kerri Quinn, Sarah Kirwan, Sarah Kelly, Harriet Flynn, Dawn Ryan, Clodagh Shortiss, Megan O’Sullivan (0-1), Leona Bridges, Marie McGrath (0-1), Claire O’Brien (0-1)

Sub: Sinéad Kelly (1-0)

Referee: Michael Fitzgerald (Ballynacally/Clondegad)