23 October 2006 VHI Munster Ladies Intermediate Football Final Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Cooraclare .v. Inch Rovers match report VHI Munster Ladies Intermediate Football Final Venue: Hospital, Co. Limerick Date: Sunday, October 22nd. Cooraclare (Clare) 0 – 2 Inch Rovers (Cork) 2 – 19 Entering this game with influential players Niamh Chambers and Ann Marie Callinan ruled out through injury one felt things couldn’t get worse for Cooraclare. In a game that everything had to go right for the Clare side if they were to put it up to their formidable opponents it transpired that everything just went horribly wrong for the Clare representatives on the day. Two early goal scoring opportunities were missed by the Clare girls and after Inch Rovers had opened the scoring with points on four and six minutes further disaster was to befall the West Clare team. When challenging for possession in the twelfth minute Cooraclare’s captain and most influential player, Eithne Morrissey sustained a serious ankle injury. This led to Eithne’s early departure from the field of play and with it went any hope the Clare side had of making a serious challenge for honours. Cooraclare were in disarray following Eithne’s departure and the gap she left a midfield was soon to be filled with great effectiveness by Inch Rover’s Cork senior star Angela Walsh. Morrissey had succeeded in keeping good tabs on Walsh while on the field and had been instrumental in setting up the early Cooraclare attacks. Inch Rovers lorded the game from here to the interval and despite kicking a good number of wides went into the interval break with a 0 – 7 to no score advantage. Cooraclare came out fighting on the resumption of play but despite good early pressure they again failed to score. When Inch Rovers broke up-field in the forty first minute for full forward Amy O’Shea to find the net the game was well and truly over from Cooraclare’s point of view. Inch Rovers went on to score at will from here on in despite some resolute defending from Cooraclare’s best player Tammy Hehir and also from Aifric O’Neill. Cooraclare had two consolation points from Áine Pyne and Noreen McGuane but these were all too little too late for the Clare representatives. All teams will have off days like this and Cooraclare should not reflect too much on the final score line. They are worthy Clare champions and will know deep down that they are a much better side than this game indicates. As a neutral observer at the game I feel I much make some commentary on aspects of this provincial final. The pitch was unlined for the game and there was no scoreboard in use. The grass was much too long for playing football and this hindered many of the players. Most serious of all though for a provincial final, there was no first aid or stretcher available when Clare’s Eithne Morrissey was seriously injured. The referee actually suspended the play for eight minutes or so while she was being tended to and she eventually had to be carried from the field with assistance of team mentors and supporters from the stand. This was a totally unacceptable situation and should be investigated thoroughly by those in authority who arranged this fixture. Player welfare and safety should always be paramount. Cooraclare: Mairéad Griffin, Aifric O’Neill, Tammy Hehir, Fiona McMahon, Orla Kelly, Majella Lillis, Monica Lillis, Bernie Kelly, Eithne Morrissey Liddane, Noreen McGuane(0-1), Aine Pyne(0-1), Claire Walsh Moroney, Patricia Callinan, Elaine Griffin, Helen Quinn. Subs: Louise Murrihy, Rachel Garry, Sally Glynn, Aoife Donnellan. Share this Article 0 0