Macguiresbridge capture the McCabe Cup

Fermanagh McCabe Cup Final Irvinestown 2-06 Maguiresbridge 2-10

Two teams very familiar with each other already played four time
this season, and very little separated them on all occasions.
A lively game from start too finish, at half time all was square
at four points a piece, with both team having chances too win
the game in the final quarter. None the less the Maguiresbridge
finished the stronger to tag on three points without reply to
secure their first ever piece off silverware since reforming two
years ago. Maguiresbridge started the lively off the two team,
racing forward from the throw-in to hit the cross bar on their
first attempt. Maguiresbridge enjoyed a lot of possession in the
opening quarter of the half and fully deserved their first two
points from their wing half forward showing great skill will a
driving solo run too finish with a point before her captain Mary
Smith pointed a minute late from a free after seven minutes of
play. The game had some good passages off play yet teams were
very guilty of conceding a lot of free too easily. Irvinestown
did take full advantage of some careless defending and Nicola
Ward was on form to point three times from frees and one from
play too keep her side in the game in the opening half.

Irvinestown were unlucky not too be leading going into the break
when Sarah McCausland broke through the defence on a great solo
run just too watch her shot rebound off the upright. Maguiresbridge
number fifteen was very effective pointing after some great running
by mid-field colleague Maria Corrigan. Five minutes before the
break Irvinestown were dealt a massive blow when their mid-fielder
Niavinbh Daly was sin binned for a second offence, yet they coped
well when reduced too fourteen player and never conceded a score
during this time which was vital. The second half the Bridge girls
got the first point on the board from Smith before Daly returned
for her side and she got back involved straight away winning a
free which sharp shooter Ward point, a minute later Daly raised
the green flag for the St. Malaise girls with a very determined
drive to net and put her side in front for the first time. Play
swung from end too end but sets of forward wasteful in front off
goals. Maguiresbridge captain showed her leadership at a time
when her side needed to win possession in the middle off the park,
winning a lot of ball and registering two goals and a point in
the space of seven minutes. The Bridge forward now was causing
Irvinestown all sorts off trouble and forced too foul, Smith taking
a 21 yard free kick a high ball into the goal mouth which was
misjudged by Brock in the Irvinestown goals and dropped under
the cross-bar for a goal. Minutes later Smiths was called on to
take a penalty after her team-mate was pulled down in the square
and with the help of the upright, she hit low too the right corner
of the net. Irvinestown did respond with a well taken goal from
Lisa Ward but again the ever involved Smith replied with a point
from play.

Irvinestown had numerous chances with the best off them falling
to young McCausland who looked very dangerous and was denied goals
twice by the woodwork. Irvinestown did point with five minutes
remaining on the clock with only two points separating the team,
Irvinestown did have two score-able chances but both sliced right
off the upright. An exciting last five minutes with a missed goal
chance from the Irvinestown half back. The charter of the Maguiresbridge
girls held out in the end and point twice in the final two minutes
to ensure victory. An exciting game of football served up by two
very well matched teams, Irvinestown unlucky not too get the vital
scores needed. Maguiresbridge were well worth their win and showed
a little more experience in the end to secure the silverware.
Irvinestown put up a great battle and were not very far away,
the young Sarah McCauland from Irvinestown was awarded player
of the match a player with immense skill and talent, unlucky not
too have rattled the net a few time, put in a great performance.

Winning Captain Mary Smith collected the Donal McCabe Memorial
Cup on behalf of her team who have showed great improvement over
the last two years