Coláiste Iósaef, Kilmallock 4/2 Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant
Shannon Lewis, Jodie Kelly, Ceile Corbett, Sarah Finn Laura Fitzgerald (pen), Emma Madigan
Cólaiste Iosáef, Kilmallock retained their Senior B Girls Munster title yesterday as they hosted Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant in a tantalising final played in blustery conditions at Kilmallock United FC yesterday (November 28) reports Lorraine Counihan (Buttevant)
The victory was hard fought as the Buttevant team came from behind twice to take the game to Coláiste Iósaef: However two second half goals from Ceile Corbett and Sarah Finn were even to disparage Buttevant’s advancement in the tie
Coláiste Mhuire were oblivious underdogs heading into the Final as the reigning Champions were also enjoying home advantage as proceedings commenced: Buttevant enjoyed the opening exchanges but failed to finish on a number of occasions:
Kilmallock must be praised for the superb defending as they coped well under the pressure and cut out any chance of Buttevant gaining the upper hand:
Coláiste Iósaef opened the scoring courtesy of some good link play which involved Nicola Ryan out in the wing, to the waiting Shannon O’Gorman: The youngster used her speed down the left to cross a smashing ball to Shannon Lewis who was waiting in the mist to smack the ball into the back of the net: 1/0 to the hosts
Buttevant raised their game and fought back hard: Kilmallock’s defence were once again on top:
The game ebbed and flowed as Buttevant were rewarded a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box, which Laura Fitzgerald won and subsequently took against Kilmallock’s shot stopper Sorcha McCarthy:
McCarthy pulled off a wonderful save and immediately feed to Shannon O’Gorman: O’Gorman’s quick thinking was beneficial as she whipped a great cross to Jodie Kelly who blasted the ball into the net leaving the Buttevant net minder Aine Dunniece amazed (2/0):
Coláiste Mhuire knew they had to raise their game: Roberta Harrington took on Kilmallock’s defence which opened up for a pass to Buttevant’s live wire Laura Fitzgerald: Laura was deemed to have been fouled inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty: Fitzgerald blasted the ball to the left to bring her side back into contention (2/1):
Buttevant hoped then they could equalise and that they did, shortly after: Emma Madigan came out from defence to score from a corner kick (2/2)
The interval approached with the sides level
Coláiste Mhuire’s fatigue was evident in the second period as they struggled in patches to keep up with the pace of the game set by the defending Champions:
Kilmallock capitalised on this and added a further two goals courtesy of Ceile Corbett and Sarah Finn as they commanded the game with the last 15 to go:
Coláiste Mhuire can be very proud of their performance but they just met a fitter team on the day that had the desire to retain the title as they now go in search of another All Ireland title:
Coláiste Iósaef, Kilmallock: Sorcha McCarthy, Nicola Ryan (Capt), Shannon Meehan (Megan O’Rourke), Niamh McCormack, Sarah Finn, Laura Lyons, Ceile Corbett, Shannon Lewis (Bridget O’Reilly), Rosie McGowan (Shauna Maguire), Shannon O Gorman, Jodie Kelly:
Subs: Jennifer Farrell, Margaret O’Donnell, Ciara Allen
Teacher: Theresa Mulclaire
Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant: Leonie Carey (Aine Dunniece), Louise Guinane , Emma Madigan, Gina Horgan, Paula Walsh, Rachel O’Connell (Madeline O’Connell), Katie Cronin, Roberta Harrington, Shannon O’Shea, Cloda Cullen (Nicole Kennedy), Laura Fitzgerald(Capt):
Subs: Chloe Jones
Teacher: Lorraine Counihan
IMAGES courtesy of L: Counihan
END