St Canice’s Credit Union Minor C County Final
Mullinavat 1-18 Blacks & Whites 2-5
Mullinavat claimed the Minor C championship title in convincing fashion after an excellent second half performance saw them run out deserving winners over a gallant Blacks & Whites side. This was a fine contest between two well prepared sides for the first 45 minutes at which stage Mullinavat lead by 0-11 to 1-5 and indeed Blacks & Whites will regret a number of near misses for goals in the opening period which could have given the game a much different complexion; however Mullinavat showed impressive skill level and team work in the final quarter to pull away in the closing stages.
This match took place in the impressive GAA grounds in Gowran on a pleasant Sunday afternoon and both sides enjoyed huge support all through which made it a great occasion for all involved. Both sides had periods of pressure in the opening minutes although it was Mullinavat who opened their account with points from Sarah Walsh (free) and Leah Davis. Blacks & Whites had a number of chances to open their account with Kate Hayden, Rachael Duff and Mia Farrell all looking lively but they found Mullinavat keeper Saoirse Corcoran to be an impressive keeper to beat with a number of goal attempts. They did open their account a Rachael Duff free although Mullinavat then landed two further points from Jess McNamara and the impressive Emma Dempsey to open up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead. Mullinavat also threatened to score goals in this period but Sarah Doyle in the Blacks & Whites goal was proving to be equally impressive between the sticks and she managed to repel a Mullinavat penalty in the 22nd minute to keep them very much in the match. Mullinavat were finding scores slightly easier to come by as half time approached as they led by 0-8 to 0-4 but a great run and finish to the net by Rachael Duff right on half time brought the deficit back to the minimum 0-8 to 1-4 when referee Liz Dempsey sounded the half time whistle.
The second half was equally keenly fought for the opening fifteen minutes as both sides sought for every ball and while Mullinavat had stretched the lead out to three points (0-11 to 1-8) by the three quarter mark, it was very much still game on with Blacks & Whites spurning chances to be even closer at this time. However, the final quarter saw Mullinavat improve all over the field particularly in their defence which got to grips with their opponents attack and further forward, points flowed from Emma Dempsey (3), Orla Fitzpatrick (2), Jess McNamara and Sarah Walsh. Overall a fine match for long periods and a deseriving win for Mullinavat who were the more even side all through the contest.
Mullinavat: Saoirse Corcoran, Shannon Murphy, Grace Fitzpatrick, Emily Walshe, Maya Conway (Captain), Ria Madigan, Roisin Aylward, Rebecca Murphy, Megan Walsh, Sarah Walsh, Leah Davis, Jess McNamara, Orla Fitzpatrick, Emma Dempsey, Sarah Woods. Subs: Freya Reid, Isabelle Madigan, Lucy Aylward, Lauren Conway, Anna Shefflin, Sile Butler, Kate Rohan
Blacks & Whites: Sarah Doyle, Ruby O’Shea, Eabha Kelly, Annie Farrell, Gracie Cleere, Gwen Wade, Emily Cleere, Eabha Farrell, Sophie Ryan, Kate Hayden, Rachael Duff, Brid Farrell, Mia Farrell, Ruby Farrell, Saorise Pilcher. Subs: Kate Long, Roise McGilligan, Chloe O’Reilly
Referee: Liz Dempsey
By PRO Sat 19th Sep
