Cork news- Co Junior Final Joy for Gabriels at last.

Cork news
Co Junior Final Joy for Gabriels at last.

Gabriel Rangers 3-10 Kildorrery 1-5

There were unbridled scenes of Joy when after 5 frustrating
final losses Gabriel rangers finally reached their promised
land when they defeated Kildorrery in wet miserable conditions
at Ovens in the Co Junior final on Sunday evening. The first
half was even enough and when the Schull girls tuned over
with a 7-4 lead, it looked like we would be in for an exciting
2nd half with the North Cork girls being favoured by the
elements. The essential difference between the sides was
the ability of Claire O’Brien who had a tremendous game
all through to take her points The game was virtually over
as a contest in the opening 5 minutes. First a long free
from brilliant Claire o’Brien slid in of the hands of the
full back out of the reach of keeper Karen Barry. It was
heartbreaking for the fullback who otherwise had an excellent
game Within a minute Claire had another from the penalty
spot when her had shot was parried by the keeper and found
the net. It was all Gabriels for the next 15 minutes and
they tagged on points through Nollaig Cleary Deirdre Cotter
with the clinching goal coming from Claire Daley, Kildorrery
to their credit virtually owned the ball for the last 15
minutes but outstanding defending from keeper Gretta Birchill
Ellen Regan her sister and Capt Ann, Christine Deasy and
Mary Kelleher kept them at bay.

The midfield exchanges were exciting all evening with Elaine
Cotter and Deirdre Ward having good spells but Mairead Noonan
and Niamh Hennessy had their moments as well. The hunger
of Gabriels was plain to be seen and their well drilled
outfit triumphed over a very game Kildorrery side When the
Michael O’Sullivan brought a fine sporting game to its conclusion
it sparked of amazing scenes of happiness. Gabriels had
finally done it and nobody in the ground begrudged them
their hour of glory

Scorers
Gabriel Rangers: Claire O’Brien 2-4 Claire Daly 1-1
Deirdre Cotter, 0-2 Nollaig Cleary 0-2 Emer Cleary 0-1
Kildorrery: Niamh Hickey 0-3 Laura Hanley 1-0 Trish
O’Callaghan 0-1 Annie O’Callaghan 0-1.

Gabriel Rangers:Gretta Burchill, Christine Deasy,
Ellen O’Regan, Siobhan Dineen, Mary Kelleher, Ann 0’Regan,
Kate Crowley, Deirdre Ward, Elaine Cotter, Deirdre Cotter,
Clodagh O’Driscoll, Claire 0’Brien, Claire Daly, Nollaig
Cleary, Emer Cleary, Sinead O’Driscoll, Anita Hurley, Anna
Ward, Aoife Coughlan, Verona O’Driscoll, Anita Johnson,
Catherine Moynihan, Denise Hayes Maria Cregan, Hazel Byrne.

Kildorrery: Karen Barry, Eileen McCarthy, Caroline
Coughlan, Sarah Coughlan, Annie O’Callaghan, Joanne Hennessy,
Fiona Healy, Mairead Noonan, Niamh Hennessy, Laura Hanley,
Caroline Hanley Orla Murphy Niamh Hickey Trish O’Callaghan,
Val McCormack. Deirdre Murphy, Katie Barry Aoife Hennessy,
Gillian O’Brien, Jean Donovan, Marie Wilson, Abina McCarty,
Eleanor O’Gorman, Nollaig Baker. Denise Boyle.

First game under lights History will be made this Wednesday
at Pairc ui Rinn when Co Champions Donoughmore, take on
last years beaten finalists Rockban in the Power’s Consultancy
Senior Championship semi-final, under lights. The game is
fixed for 7.30pm.