TelLab Carlow Ladies SFC Final
Bennekerry/Tinryland 0-12, Old Leighlin 1-6
By Stephen Bambrick
Senior county title number six headed Bennekerry/Tinryland’s way with victory built on their good start, a good finish, and with Old Leighlin better in between. It probably took the introduction of Lauren Dwyer to steady the ship; her three points from play were crucial in a game where the winning margin was just that.
Aoibhinn Webb had the honor of the game’s first score in the 2nd minute, her run from the 45m line resulting in her club’s 200th total points tally in Senior finals. Orla Woods doubled the advantage a minute later, both quality scores.
The Old Leighlin goal was under siege at this point. Twice, both Nicole Hanley (from Sarah Nolan and Sinead Hayden) and Amy Dooley kept a green flag from being raised. Elaine Ware’s quick thinking, though, from a resultant 45 saw Cliodna Ní Shé open her tally in the 12th minute (B/T’s 100th white flag in county finals), the lead out to four in the 16th minute with Webb getting her second of the day, 0-4 to 0-0.
A trademark Niamh Forde run saw her effort just clear the crossbar to eventually open their account, complemented minutes later when Caoimhe O’Neill’s direct run saw her bury with her left foot a goal any citóg would be proud of for the equalizer past Shannen Cotter in the 19th minute. Rachel Sawyer completed the turnaround on the scoreboard with her first of the day in the 21st minute, the lead canceled out in the 24th minute by Ní Shé’s free after the influential Sinead Hayden was fouled.
Sawyer (fouled herself) and Amy Hanley (edge of the D) pointed in quick succession for a two-point lead, these negated by Sinead Hayden following build-up on the stand side and Ní Shé’s skyscraper effort leaving 0-7 to 1-4 the halftime score.
Bronagh Nolan regained the lead for Old Leighlin seconds into the new half, Maeve O’Neill leveling soon after, 0-8 to 1-5, an Amy Hanley run soon after seeing Kate Burke and Caoimhe O’Neill’s efforts kept out by a sea of cover.
The aforementioned introduction of Lauren Dwyer was significant for the winners. Her positioning at 14, with room in front of her, saw her hit three of her side’s remaining four scores. Her first on 42 minutes restored the B/T lead. B/T had a let-off in the 46th minute, though, when a dropping effort from sub Aoife Roche forced Shannen Cotter to pick off the ground, Sawyer converting the free. Parity did not last long with Dwyer’s second and third and Ní Shé’s free in between pushing the champions three clear by the 52nd minute.
Sinead Hayden, having gotten on a lot of the ball throughout the game, was pulled back by Amy Hanley. Referee Jonathan Murphy issued what seemed to be a red card in the 54th minute. Things almost got worse with Nicole Hanley saving point-blank from Webb in the 56th minute. B/T saw out the remaining minutes to deservedly retain their title, 0-12 to 1-6 the final score.
Bennekerry/Tinryland – Shannen Cotter (Captain) Clodagh Mahon, Leanne Corcoran, Leah Mullins, Ruth Bermingham, Nuala Mohan, Marie Cranny, Liz Lowry, Elaine Ware, Aoibhinn Webb (0-2), Cliodna Ní Shé (0-4, 0-2 f), Maeve O ‘Neill (0-1), Orla Woods (0-1), Sarah Nolan, Sinead Hayden (0-1).
Subs – Lauren Dwyer (0-3)
Old Leighlin – Nicole Hanley, Eabha Cody, Amy Dooley, Olwyn Lawlor, Beibhinn Nolan, Anne Roche, Siofra O’Neill, Caoimhe O’Neill (1-0), Helen Roche, Bronagh Nolan (0-1) , Rachel Sawyer (0-3, 0-2f) , Niamh Forde (0-1), Gemma Carpenter, Amy Hanley (0-1), Kate Burke
Subs Keeva Collins, Aoife Roche, Jenny Sawyer
Referee – Jonathan Murphy ( St Mullins)
