VHI Healthcare Ladies Football Club All-Ireland Finals Roundup

A stunning second half display by Emyvale ensured they became the first Monaghan club to take the VHI Healthcare All-Ireland Club Ladies Intermediate Football title, following a 3-6 to 1-2 victory over Ballingeary-Inchigeela at St. Rynagh’s in Banagher on Sunday.

Although Emyvale duo Ciara McAnespie and Lisa Sherry spent separate 10-minute spells in the sin-bin in the second half, this failed to unsettle the Monaghan outfit who gave a resounding display.

Scores were hard to come by in the opening half as a 15th minute Rhona Buckley goal got Ballingeary-Inchigeela off the mark. Ciara McAnespie replied with a point eight minutes later.

Goals from Melanie Colleran and Therese McNally helped the eventual winners to a 2-2 to 1-0 interval lead and although the Cork club began the second half brightly, Emyvale weren’t to be denied All-Ireland glory.

Despite points from Noelle McSweeney and Leanne Kearney for Ballingeary-Inchigeela in the opening minutes of the second half, and McAnespie’s early sin-binning, Emyvale rallied to hold the Cork side scoreless for the remainder of this game.

The Ulster champions who had lost the All-Ireland Junior decider in 2006 were a stronger force in the second half and a second McNally goal paved the way for a 10-point win.

A delighted Emyvale goalkeeper and captain Sinead Mohan accepted the cup after the game from Ladies Football Association President Geraldine Giles, with top-scorer Therese McNally who finished the Championship with an impressive 14-16 tally; picking up the VHI Healthcare Player of the Match award.

Meanwhile on Saturday at Tuam Stadium another historic first was created in the VHI Healthcare Junior Club All-Ireland Championship as Kilmihil became the first Clare winners of the title following a 4-6 to 1-4 win over Knockmore of Mayo.

Kilmihil signalled their intent for victory early on with Ailish Considine converting a third minute penalty as further goals from Eimear Considine and Denise O’Halloran saw the eventual winners build up a 3-3 to 0-0 lead at half-time.

Trailing by 12 points at the interval Knockmore faced an uphill task on the restart and although they found the back of the Kilmihil net in the second half thanks to an Áine Clarke goal, an industrious Kilmihil weren’t to be denied with Eimear Considine slotting home their fourth goal to seal All-Ireland success.

After the game Kilmihil captain Fiona O’Neill accepted the cup while her club colleague Una Downes who played a vital role in the midfield sector was honoured with the VHI Healthcare Player of the Match award.
Intermediate Final
Scorers for Emyvale: Therese McNally 2-2; Melanie Colleran 1-0; Ciara McAnespie, Caroline McAree 0-2 each
Scorers for Ballingeary-Inchigeela: Rhona Buckley 1-0; Noelle McSweeney, Leanne Kearney 0-1 each.

Junior Final
Scorers for Kilmihil: Eimear Considine 2-1; Ailish Considine 1-2; Denise O’Halloran 1-1; Joan O’Halloran 0-2.

Scorers for Knockmore: Aine Clarke 1-1; Ciara McDermott 0-2; Aine McClean 0-1.