2008 Clare Ladies Football Senior Eleven-A-Side Championship Final Venue: Ballyea Date: Wednesday, August 6th Banner Ladies 4 - 5 Fergus Rovers 2 - 2 This was an epic final with no quarter asked or given. Underdogs Fergus Rovers signalled their intent to be a major force in this year's senior championship with a battling display against their town rivals. This is a game that could have gone either way and with seven minutes remaining the teams were locked together on a score of 1 - 4 to the Ennis side and 2 - 1 to the Rovers. The next score would prove pivotal and as things transpired it was a Catríona Connellan goal on thirty three minutes that swung it for the Banner Ladies team. With each half designated twenty minutes early scores were of vital importance. Fergus Rovers had the better of the early exchanges but they failed to capitalise on their advantage. The girls from the west met an uncompromising full back line from the town team for whom Niamh Cavanagh and Laurie Ryan were excellent and rebuffed all early Rovers' advances. Banner ladies then broke the deadlock with a Claire Walsh point on three minutes and after a succession of wides Catríona Connellan goaled in the eight minute to give the town side a deserved four point lead. Naomi Carroll added another point for the winners before a fifteenth minute goal from Noelle Cleary had the Rovers right back in the game. Niamh O'Dea and Claire Walsh added two more points for Banner Ladies to give them a 1 - 4 to 1 - 0 lead at half time. The Rovers stormed back in the early second half exchanges and had points from Catherine O'Loughlin and Cliodhna Cleary to narrow the gap. Niamh O'Dea restored Banner Ladies three point lead before the Rovers struck for an equalising goal in the thirty second minute. The next score would prove crucial and as it was it was a Niamh O'Dea goal for the Ennis team two minutes later. Despite the inclement weather and the poor underfoot conditions both teams carried the game to each other and the Rovers may feel aggrieved when the town side were awarded a soft penalty in the thirty eight minute. With Banner Ladies coach Joe Reidy pleading to take a point, Sonia Maher - cool as you like - slotted the ball to the top right hand corner of the Rover's net for an excellent score. Niamh O'Dea added the finishing touch a minute later with a great individual point. Though nine points separated the sides at the end this did scant justice to the Fergus Rover's display and in truth this game could have gone either way. The Banner Ladies had the stronger finish and this in the end won the day for them and secured the trophy at the final whistle. Well done to both teams for a great game in the most inclement of conditions. Best for the winners were defenders Laurie Ryan, Niamh Cavanagh and Katie Cahill, Sonia Maher did well in the middle and Niamh O'Dea and Naomi Carroll also did well. Niamh Walsh had an excellent game when introduced as a second half substitute and Claire Walsh and Catríona Connellan got great scores at vital moments. For the Rovers Catherine O'Loughlin, Cliodhna Cleary, Noelle Cleary, Myra Daly and Orlaith Griffin tried hard. Following the game Clare Ladies Board Chairman Johnny Hayes presented the championship trophy to Banner Ladies captain Irene Hehir. This was the first time ever that the town side had won a Clare championship trophy and thus there was great celebration amongst their ranks. Paul McKenna, Sec./ PRO, Banner Ladies Football Club. www.bannerladiesfootball.com Tweet

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