Clare U12 Division 4 Final

In the Final the Banner Ladies came head to head with Crusheen for the second time this year. As expected, Crusheen came out big to make amends for their previous meeting and had netted their first score within thirty seconds of the throw-in. It was tit-for-tat all through the first half with scores from inspirational Banner Ladies captain Sarah McGuane and deadly duo Laoise Ryan and Jessica Healy keeping the Banner at level pegging at half-time. A very good attendance ensured the atmosphere was infectious and both teams responded by serving up a fast paced game with a fine demonstration of skills.

The second half started with the Banner backs fending off major pressure from a determined Crusheen. Some staunch defending by Alannah O’Connor and Olivia Touhy and half backs Katie O’Dwyer and Katie Shannon saved the Banner from repeated attacks. When Banner midfielders Leah Morgan and Sarah McGuane began to impose their presence on the game in the second half, it was as if an invisible wall went up. As they combined with the insatiable Ryan and Healy, the score line began to widen and the Banner ran out clear winners in the end. This was a very fine display of Ladies Football at a high standard by both teams as the spectators acknowledged at the final whistle. The Banner Ladies are especially proud of all the U10s who played a major role in securing their Div. 4 County Final and thank all the parents for their involvement and encouragement of the girls.

Lana Browne, Alannah O’Connor, Olivia Touhy, Katie O’Dwyer, Katie Shannon, Leah Morgan, Sarah McGuane (Capt), Laoise Ryan, Jessica Healy, Katie Delaney, Nessa McNamara, Ciodhna Hynes, Aoife Maher, Mairead Casey, Grace Copley, Aoibheann Ryan, Kate Flynn, Eabha Keane, Kelly O’Leary, Caoimhe Duggan and Meghan Crowley.