Wall Inspires Dunboyne to All Ireland Glory

Dunboyne made light of the weather conditions to produce a superb display that saw them overcome a young Bantry Blues side to become the 2015 Ladies Junior All Ireland Club Champions. The seeds for victory were sewn in the first half where the Meath club dominated the middle of the field starving the Bantry forwards of possession restricting them to a single point in the opening period. Meanwhile the scoring star on the Dunboyne side, full forward Vikki Wall, scored the only goal which was to prove decisive.

Dunboyne hit the front after 10 minutes Vikki Wall as she drove the ball over the bar, minutes later the industrious Shelly Melia was unlucky to see her blistering shot come back off the crossbar with Wall unlucky not to finish the follow up to the net. The conditions were difficult for both sides but Bantry could not get a grip in the middle of the field and when Libby Coppinger had to move to the defence to cover for injured Doireann O’Shea it disrupted their rhythm whereas Dunboyne captain, Julie Kavanagh was a dominant figure for the Meath side. Aoife O’Driscoll was to score the only point of the half for Bantry who were left to rue some missed chances as they failed to take advantage of the strong wind. Fiona O’Neill added another point from play for Dunboyne before Shelly Melia sent in a perfect angled pass into the path of Wall who palmed the ball past Seadna O’Sullivan in the Bantry goal just 2 minutes before half time leaving Dunboyne in the strong position of leading 1-03 to 0-01 at half time with the wind at their backs in the second half.

Bantry needed a fast start to the second half but it was Dunboyne that grabbed the first score as Shelly Melia drove the ball over the bar within a minute of the restart. Impressive young forward Libby Coppinger replied with a point for Bantry who were beginning to gain a foothold in the game. Wall scored points either side of an Aoife Thompson effort as they were seemingly coasting to victory as they lead 1:07 to 0:02. However, strong work from Eve Murphy saw Aoife O’Driscoll receive the ball in space and she grabbed the chance by drilling the ball into the Dunboyne net to give her side hope. However, Vikki Wall, was on hand to reply with a point of her own electing to put the ball over the bar despite having a half chance at goal. Bantry were to rue some wayward shooting as they started to dominate possession and Rachel Murphy’s point was to prove little more than consolation as Vikki Wall had the last say with a well taken point to seal the All Ireland Club title for the Meath club on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-03

The excellent midfield partnership of Amy Coyne and inspirational captain, Julie Kavanagh, laid the foundation for victory with Ann Marie Moffatt and Elaine Doyle giving excellent support from the half backs. Shelly Melia was a tireless worker throughout with Aoife Thompson having a fantastic game as the chief creator. However, whenever Bantry threatened to get back into the match it was the Player of the Match, Vikki Wall that was the player with all the answers as she finished with a tally of 1-06 with all scores coming from play.

 

Bantry Blues: Seadna O’Sullivan, Edel McGovern, Aoife Crowley, Doireann O’Shea, Mairead Dullea, Ann Coakley, Sarah Deane, Emma Spillane, Jessica Coakley, Niamh Crowley, Myra O’Sullivan, Kate O’Brien, Sarah Coakley, Aoife O’Driscoll (1-01, 1Free) Libby Coppinger (0-01)

Sarah Murphy, Eilish Harrington, Laura O’Sullivan (Capt), Meabh Ni Shuilleabhan, Eve Murphy, Rachel Murphy (0-01), Alice O’Shaughnessy, Kathleen Casey, Lucy Coakley, Ellen O’Sullivan, Bernadette O’Flynn, Sarah Bishop, Eileen O’Driscoll, Katie O’Shea, Emilie Murphy

Dunboyne: Maeve Clince, Claire Baker, Lauren Byrne, Emma O’Byrne, Dee Blaney, Elaine Doyle, Ann-Marie Moffatt (0-01), Julie Kavanagh (Capt.), Amy Coyne, Shelly Melia (0-01), Alison Jones, Sinead Hackett, Aoife Thompson (0-01, 1 Free), Vikki Wall (1-06) Fiona O’Neill (0-01)

Meabh O’Doherty, Niamh Williams, Roisin Doherty, Louise Grant, Odharnaith McKenna, Katie Tobin, Aoife Ryan, Chloe Coyne, Niamh McDermott, Roisin McGoldrick, Rachel McDermott, Hollie Donnelly