Match report VHI Munster Junior Final

Press Release Clare Ladies Football Board Match report VHI Munster Junior Final Venue: Feonagh, Co. Limerick. Date: Saturday, Oct. 21st. Coolmeen (Clare) 1 – 4 Kildorrery (Cork) 1 – 8.

Coolmeen were defeated by Cork champions Kildorrery
in The VHI Munster Junior final played in Feonagh on Saturday in
a thrilling encounter watched by a large attendance of vocal supporters
from both clubs.

This game was a real cracker right from the throw in with both
teams serving up a wonderful hour’s football for all present. Kildorrery
had the best of the opening minutes and applied early pressure on
the Coolmeen defence. The west Clare team remained steadfast in
their defensive resolve and kept Kildorrery scoreless in this period
and created the opening score of the game with a breakaway four
player movement on six minutes which ended up with a penalty being
awarded to Coolmen. Grace Lynch stepped up to take the kick but
unfortunately for Grace her rising pile-driver went narrowly over
the crossbar for a point. Coolmeen went further ahead on eight minutes
again thanks to another Grace Lynch point.

From here until the interval however Kildorrery began to dominate
and they rattled off four unanswered points before the break with
the Cork team’s Twohig sisters landing a brace each. The interval
score line thus read 0 – 4 to 0 – 2 in Kildorrery’s favour.

On the resumption of play both sides had early chances but both
defences were solid. Coolmeen suddenly were in front again when
following a great build up substitute Josephine Fennessy deflected
a shot to the Cork net for a great goal in the seventh minute of
the half. Another fine Coolmeen movement minutes later saw Grace
Lynch appear to add to their tally with a great point. Much to Coolmeen’s
annoyance the referee did not allow the score and called the play
back in awarding a Coolmeen free. The advantage rule should have
applied in this instance as a score did not result from the awarded
free.

Eleanor Twohig had an equalising point for the Cork side on thirty
eight minutes before Grace Lynch again kicked Coolmeen ahead with
a forty first minute point. The game was entering the final ten
minutes with Coolmeen hanging on to their slender advantage when
they unfortunately had Lisa Farrell sin binned. The Cork side were
quick to take advantage of their numerical superiority and points
from Joanne Hennessy (55min) and Eleanor Twohig (57min) had them
back in front. Coolmeen hit back immediately with a pointed free
from Grace Lynch to tie the scores again as the game approached
the full time whistle. Kildorrery pressed forward however and in
the final minute of normal time regained the lead with a Niamh Hickey
point. Coolmeen responded and immediately laid siege on the Kildorrery
goals and looked to be through for a certain goal only for the Cork
team’s keeper to make a brilliant save when diving full length to
deprive the Coolmeen side of a possible winning score. Buoyed up
by this great save the Kildorrery team broke up field and in the
second minute of added time their forward Helena Hennessy found
the Coolmeen net for a heartbreaking goal for the Clare girls.

On the day the Cork side was probably the more balanced of the
two teams on view. Credit Coolmeen for playing with such heart and
pride and keeping everybody on tinder-hooks right up to the final
whistle. The whole Coolmeen team can be proud of their display.
Laura Handrahan was again brilliant in goal, Fiona and Eimear McMahon,
Lisa Farrell and Ciara Cleary were excellent in defence and Sinéad
Eustace and Niamh Greene won the midfield battle. Up front team
captain Grace Lynch had another fine game while Sinéad Moloney
and Josephine Fennessy also did well. Great credit then to the Coolmeen
ladies for putting it up to the Cork champions and for representing
Clare ladies football in such a great manner.

Coolmeen: Laura Handrahan, Eimear Greene, Fiona McMahon, Eimear
McMahon, Ciara Cleary, Valerie McMahon, Lisa Farrell, Sinéad
Eustace, Niamh Greene, Sinéad Moloney, Grace Lynch (0-4),
Carmel Eustace, Marie Haugh, Aoife McMahon, Claire Haugh.

Subs used: Josephine Fennessy (1-0), Ailish O’Rourke, Fiona Carey,
Edel Meaney.