Gaeltec Minor D County Final
Lisdowney/Naomh Brid 5-4 Graiguenamanagh 5-2
Canon Kearns Park was the venue for this well attended Minor D championship final last Saturday morning and both Lisdowney/Naomh Brid and Graiguenamanagh deserve great credit for a real end-to-end contest which swung either way in what became a goal fest with both sides hitting the net five time over the hour. For the recently amalgamated Lisdowney and Naomh Brid, this was a wonderful end to their first season as a combined side (winners of league and now championship at Minor D) and this win was well earned as they had to show great resolve to turn around this match which seemed to be gone against them at the three quarter hour mark. Defeat was harsh on the Graiguenamanagh girls who contributed hugely to a very enjoyable contest which could have gone their way in a dramatic closing finale.
The opening exchanges did not suggest what was to follow as no scores were recorded in the opening ten minutes – until a shot from Rachel Browne for Graiguenamanagh ended up in the net to give them the early initiative. The match then swung the way of Lisdowney/Naomh Brid for the next ten minutes as they added 1-2 through a point from Ciara Delaney and 1-1 from the impressive Roisin Burns. However, Graiguenamanagh recovered from this to regain the lead with a goal from Nessa Dowling in the 25th minute and when a free from Megan Kinsella ended in the Lisdowney net two minutes later, they held a 3-0 to 1-2 advantage. All looked good for the Graigue girls at this time but a mixup in their defence allowed Lisdowney/Naomh Brid to claim a crucial second goal right on the half time whistle through a free from Ciara Delaney. Half-time: Lisdowney 2-2 Graiguenamanagh 3-0.
To Graiguenamanagh’s credit, the concession of this goal on half time didn’t deter them as the second half commenced and they proceeded to dominate the third quarter which saw them stretch their lead out to 4-2 to 2-2 by the 45th minute. Their dominance at this time was led by Rebecca Hayden in defence and Rachel Browne at centre forward who added 1-1 to a goal from a Megan Kinsella free. However, this match then turned again as Lisdowney/Naomh Brid thundered into the match after Ciara Delaney opened their second half account with a 46th minute point. Remarkably, they went on to add a further 3-1 in the next ten minutes (including goals from Molly Cummins and Ciara Delaney) to turn this match around and give them a 5-4 to 4-2 advantage. Graiguenamanagh however refused to give up and when Rebecca Hayden (now switched to the forwards) netted in the 59th minute, the match was back in the melting pot. The Graiguenamanagh girls pushed hard for a winning goal in the closing minutes but it wasn’t to be for them in a very sporting and enjoyable contest where it was s shame for either side to lose.
Lisdowney/Naomh Brid: Grace Doran, Aine Kavanagh, Orla Phelan, Ava Leahy, Sadhbh Blanchfield, Sinead Brennan, Aoife Blanchfield, Maeve Holohan, Roisin Burns, Ciara Delaney, Molly Cummins, Emily Farrell, Mia Perry, Roisin Holohan, Ciara Delaney. Subs: Muireann Dunphy, Tara-Rose Dunphy, Michelle Kennedy, Blaithnaid O’Shea, Joanne Sorohan.
Graiguenamanagh: Lucy Kennedy, Jessica Dowling, Lily Treacy, Claire O Neill, Rebecca Hayden, Orlaith O’ Shea, Hannah Kennedy, Aoife Lavin, Megan Kinsella, Meagan O ‘ Grady, Rachel Browne, Tara Fenlon, Nessa Dowling, Ingrid Tierney, Nicole King. Subs: Chloe Byrne, Jessica Reddy.
Referee: Eamon Larkin
By PRO Thu 16th Oct
