Resolute Rangers roar to victory!

Barrow Rangers 2-10 James Stephens 1-11

Barrow Rangers broke new ground when they won their first Intermediate County Championship but only after defeating a dogged James Stephens

Barrow Rangers raced out of the traps from the throw in at John Locke Park. Roisin Breen registered their first point after a neat pass from Shauna Treacy. The latter then scored a great point from play, under pressure. Three minutes later, Orla Bambury blocked a Michelle Teehan (JS) clearance and Orla slotted over a point

Over the next 11 minutes, Roisin Breen converted two pointed frees and a 45’ as the Barrow side continued to dominate heading towards the waterbreak. James Stephens tried hard to get scores but a dogged Barrow Rangers defence stood strong and kept their goal intact. Rangers looked content as they trooped off at the waterbreak with a 0-6 to 0-0 lead

After the mini break, it was no surprise to see James Stephens came out with all guns blazing. Sophie O’Dwyer got them up and running,  converting a 45m free. Shortly afterwards O’Dwyer played a neat pass to Niamh Deely who slotted over the bar

From the resulting puckout, James Stephens won a free, which O’Dwyer duly converted. Four minutes later, she converted another free for the Village to narrow the gap to two points (0-6 to 04)

Over the next nine minutes, neither team added to their tally as both defences stood strong. Just before the half time break, County Star Collette Dormer scored a great point for Barrow Rangers after several of her colleagues shots had been blocked out by the James Stephens defence. That left the score 0-7 to 0-4 in favour of Barrow Rangers at the break

On the charge

The city side went on the charge from the restart. It wasn’t long before Emma Manogue scored two great points from play in as many minutes for the Village, to leave just the minimum between the sides

With their rivals breathing down their necks, Barrow Rangers knew they needed a big score. From the puckout, Roisin Breen found Collette Dormer with a great pass. She attacked the James Stephens goal, pausing only to blast the sliotar into the back of the net

The Village were stunned, but straight from the puckout, Sophie O’Dwyer converted a 45m free over the bar. Niamh Deely then scored a great point for the Village from a tight angle near the sideline. Roisin Breen scored an equally good point for Barrow Rangers close to the sideline

James Stephens went on the attack again, but got a little slice of luck from their next attack, which saw Emma Manogue aim a shot towards the Barrow Rangers goal from out at the sideline. Her effort was heading over the crossbar, but the ‘keeper brought it down and lost control of the sliotar which ended over the goal line to tie the scores (1-8 to 1-8)

Roisin Breen and Sophie O’Dwyer then swapped pointed frees heading towards the second waterbreak

When play resumed, Roisin Breen was fouled near goal. Play continued but Breen hand-passed the sliotar out to Katie O’Byrne who slotted over the bar for Barrow Rangers

Johanne Barcoe gathered the ball over on the stand side and struck a shot from distance which appeared to be going over the bar but dropped in over the James Stephens goalie, to put Barrow Rangers 2-10 to 1-9 ahead

Sophie O’Dwyer then converted a 45m free to just leave a goal between the sides with seven minutes remaining

Just on the stroke of full time, James Stephens were awarded a free on the 21m line, Sophie O’Dwyer hit a pile driver towards the top left hand corner, but it was deflected over the bar by the Barrow Rangers defence

It was a vital save. Within seconds the final whistle blew, sparking scenes of celebration among the Rangers contingent after an enthralling encounter

Scorers – Barrow Rangers – Roisin Breen (0-6, 3f, 1 45), Collette Dormer (1-1), Johanne Barcoe (1-0), Shauna Treacy, Orla Bambury, Katie O’Byrne (0-1 each)

James Stephens – Sophie O’Dwyer (0-7, 7f), Emma Manogue (1-2), Niamh Deely (0-2)

Barrow Rangers – Kayla Joyce Foley, Patrice Mullins, Aideen O’Connor, Mary Wall, Anna Purcell, Miriam Bambrick, Aimee Morrissey, Ellen Purcell, Orla Bambury (Capt), Shauna Treacy, Roisin Breen, Johanne Barcoe, Rebecca Holden, Collette Dormer, Katie O’Byrne

Subs – Aoife Drennan for Rebecca Holden, Rachel Collier, Katie Hanlon, Chloe Brennan, Katie Byrne, Caoimhe Kelly, Sarah Kelly, Sarah Maher, Caoimhe Tierney, Kate Kelly, Michelle Kealy, Aoife Ryan, Joanna Morrissey, Mairead Brennan, Maeve Brennan, Therese Bambrick, Lauren Havelin, Katie Kinsella, Jenny Kelly, Mia Ryan, Lauren Barcoe (inj)

James Stephens – Caoimhe Moran, Chloe Power, Hannah Scott, Hannah Larkin, Jennifer Leahy, Michelle Teehan, Kerri Hennessy, Aoife Cantwell (Capt), Anna Doheny, Tara McGuire, Niamh Deely, Sophie O’Dwyer, Emma Manogue, Ciara Delaney, Rachel Leahy

Subs – Lucy McGrath, Elizabeth O’Shea, Anna Bergin, Cady Boyle, Lauren Grace, Emma O’Brien, Hannah Joyce, Niamh O’Hara, Yoma Etaferi, Jenna Larkin, Molly Burke, Ciara McDonald

Referee – Eoin Hayes

POTM – Miriam Bambrick, Barrow Rangers