SHANNON
KEY WEST HOTEL LADIES INTERMEDIATE FINAL
ST JOSEPH'S 2-12
BALLINAGLERA 2-2
St Joseph's victory avenges last
year's heartbreak
Having suffered the agony of defeat in last year's final, when Mohill
clinched the crown in a memorable final, St. Joseph's made no mistake last
Sunday in Ballinamore in the Shannon Key West Hotel Ladies Intermediate
Championship Final as they proved too strong for Ballinaglera.
Despite 16 wides, St Joseph's were simply too good for Ballinaglera and were
well worth their 10 point winning margin.
There were impressive performances all over the pitch from the St Jospeh's
ladies with Fionnuala Bohan, Sharon Kerrigan and Deirdre Moran among those who
helped to end Ballinaglera's hopes of victory.
For Ballinaglera, Mairead McCawley and Alish Cornyn never threw in the towel as
they marshalled the defence and did their best to help out in attack when the
opportunities arose.
While St Jospeh's enjoyed a five point lead at the interval it should have been
considerably more but they were let down by wayward shooting.
Captain Claire Owens opened the scoring with a second minute point and she
turned provider as St Jospeh's doubled that lead in the sixth minute after
Deirdre Moran scored a fine point after a strong surging run.
Ballinaglera failed to trouble the St Jospeh's defence during the opening
exchanges but were rewarded with their first attack of note in the eight minute
as Yvonne Mulvey collected Tara McGovern's pass to point confidently.
Although they were enjoying far more possession, St Jospeh's were struggling to
create clear cut scoring opportunities and had to wait until the 11th minute
before they reopened a two point lead, with Claire Owens striking for her second
point of the game.
Having been thoroughly out played for the opening quarter of the game,
Ballinaglera burst into life and Alish Cornyn was on the end of a good passing
move involving Michaelaigh Nolan and Louise Loughlin to leave just a solitary
point between the sides once again.
Despite having been on the backfoot for most of the game, Ballinaglera took the
lead when Louise Loughlin was on the receiving end of a dangerous ball in behind
the St Joseph's defence.
Her shot rolled past Catherine Beirne in the St Joseph's goal but unsure of
whether or not the ball would reach the goal, Tanya McPartland applied the
finishing touch and slotted the ball to the unguarded goal.
That seemed to act as something of a wake-up call for St Joseph's who resumed
control of the game.
Claire Owen's point reduced the deficit to a point, before they retook the lead
with Aoife Williams' 23rd minute goal.
Williams was on hand to apply the finishing touch after Sandra Brady passed
across the face of the Ballinaglera goal to leave the score at 1-2 to 1-4 in
favour of St Joseph's.
Further points from Aine Heslin, Michelle Heslin and Sandra Brady helped
establish a commanding five point lead for St Joseph's.
St Joseph's began the second half as they had finished the first but were still
having trouble converting their dominance into scores as their wide count grew.
Three points in the opening 12 minutes of the second half from Sandra Brady,
Claire Owens (free) and Deirdre Moran helped further extend their lead but there
was a feeling that Ballinaglera were not yet completely out of this game.
That proved to be the case as Alish Cornyn blasted a quick free over the St
Joseph's defenders and goalkeeper and into the roof of the net.
Unfortunately for St Josephs's they were unable to build any momentum from that
score as St Jospeh's scored their second goal of the game with the very next
attack.
Sandra Brady was fouled by Ballinaglera goalkeeper Linda McGourty and referee
Kieran Moran didn't hesitate in awarding a penalty to Ballinaglera.
Despite the fact that county goalkeeper Louise Loughlin stepped in to goal to
face the penalty, Claire Owens, found the net with the minimum of fuss.
Although there were 16 minutes of the contest remaining, it was becoming
increasingly evident to all present that St Joseph's were on course for victory.
Two further points in the later stages of the game from Sandra Brady (free) and
substitute Catriona Brennan helped secure victory and erase the memories of last
year's defeat.
St Joseph's
Catherine Beirne, Vanessa Gallogly, Phillipa Maguire, Marina Gray, Lisa
McDermott, Fionnuala Bohan, Elaine McGovern, Alanna Bohan, Sharon Kerrigan,
Claire Owens (1-4), Michelle Heslin (0-1), Aine Heslin (0-1), Deirdre Moran
(0-2), Aoife Williams (1-0), Sandra Brady (0-3). Subs: Catriona Brennan (0-1)
for Williams (40 mins), Louise Farrelly for Brady (53 mins), Mary McLoughlin for
McDermott (53 mins).
Ballinaglera
Linda McGourty, Maire Byrne, Mairead McCawley, Bridget Gallagher, Deirdre Devitt,
Alish Cornyn (1-1), Ann Marie Gallagher, Tanya McPartland (1-0), Tara McGovern,
Michaelaigh Nolan, Ciara McPartland, Shauna Maguire, Sarah Loughlin, Louise
Loughlin, Yvonne Mulvey (0-1). Subs: Florance Evan, Shannon McCawley, Clare
McTague, Nicole McGovern.
Referee: Kieran Moran
