Clare Ladies Junior B County Final Report 24/09/2006

The Banner 7 – 7 Kilmurry-Ibrekane 1 – 1

A faster and more skilful Banner Junior team accounted for Kilmurry-Ibrekane in this well contested final played in Kilmihil on Sunday last. The final scoreline does scant justice to the efforts of the Quilty ladies who gave their all in an attempt to match the Ennis team.

The Banner were just that little bit too strong in vital areas of the pitch to allow the girls from the west any chance of victory. Eimear O’Connor lorded affairs for the Ennis team at centrefield and she was instrumental in setting the Banner on the road to victory with a cracking goal on three minutes. Quilty battled hard in these early stages but even when they broke through the Banner stranglehold in midfield they faced an uncompromising Ennis defence where Niamh Martin, Rachel McGann and Lorna Higgins were particularly effective. Further points on nine and fifteen minutes from Megan Hough and Niamh O’Dea saw the Banner extend their lead before O’Dea shattered any Kilmurry-Ibrekane hopes with two well taken goals on nineteen and twenty three minutes. The Quilty girls finally got on the scoresheet with a well taken point from the hard-working Karen Galvin just before half-time. Thus having been wind assisted the Banner led at the interval on a 3 – 2 to 0 – 1 scoreline.

Kilmurry needed early scores in the second half if they were to make a comeback but unfortunately for them the Ennis ladies were fast out of the blocks again on the resumption of play. Two goals from Megan Hough on thirty three and thirty five minutes and a Naiomi Carroll point on thirty eight minutes put paid to any thoughts of a Quilty fightback. To be fair to Kilmurray they never stopped chasing the game and were rewarded with a Maria Murphy goal on fifty three minutes and were unlucky to have two late goals rather harshly ruled out for square infringements. Further points from Eimear O’Connor, Megan Hough and Niamh O’Dea plus a goal apiece to Aisling Daly and team captain Rebecca Coughlin saw the Banner run out comprehensive winners to claim the Clare Junior B title for the first time since 2001.

Following the game Clare Ladies’ Board Chairman James Lafferty presented the trophy to the winning captain, Rebeca Coughlin.

Best for the Banner were Eimear O’Connor, Niamh Martin, Rachel McGann, Niamh O’Dea, Naiomi Carroll, Megan Hough and Lorna Higgins. Kilmurry Ibrekane were well served by Karen Galvin, Dympna O’Dwyer, Melissa McCarthy, Maria Murphy and Bernie McGuire.

The Banner: Ciara McCarthy, Rebecca McNamara, Niamh Martin, Lorna Higgins, Naomi Carroll (0 – 1), Rachel McGann, Louise Woods, Eimear O’Connor (1 – 1), Aoife Griffin, Niamh O’Dea (2 – 2), Meave McCarthy, Lauren Dooley, Amanda Carmody, Megan Hough (2 – 3), Rebecca Coughlin (1 – 0). Subs: Laurie Ryan, Aisling Daly (1 – 0), Caoimhe O’Dea, Deirdre Kelleher, Laura Brennan, Aidín Shannon.

Kilmurry Ibrekane: Mary Meaney, Melissa McCarthy, Sarah Glenny, Margaret O’Dwyer, Fiona Sexton, Aisling Donnellan, Sarah Lynch, Bernie McGuire, Dympna O’Dwyer, Lorraine O’Halloran, Lily Moloney, Edel Lynch, Karen Galvin (0 – 1), Anita O’Dwyer, Rebecca Glenny, Maria Murphy (1 – 0)

The Banner Ladies Junior Team Clare County B Final 2006

The Kilmurry-Ibrekane Junior Team Clare County B Final 2006 Banner ladies captain Rebecca Coughlin accepts the trophy from Clare County Board chairman James Lafferty

Dr. Paul McKenna, Secretary / Pro, The Banner Ladies Football Club.