Ladies: club titles for Na Gaeil and Claregalway
November 30, 2013
At the final day launch in Croke Park were Junior players Sue O'Sullivan, Dunedin Connolly's, Edinburgh, and Emily Brick, Na Gaeil, Co. Kerry, Senior players Marie Corbett, Carnacon, Co. Mayo, and Majella Woods, Donaghmoyne, Co. Monaghan, and Intermediate players Fabienne Cooney, Claregalway, Co. Galway, and Norah Kirby, Thomas Davis, Co. Dublin.
CIARA Newell's early penalty goal proved crucial as Claregalway beat Thomas Davis to claim victory in Saturday's Tesco Homegrown All-Ireland intermediate ladies club football championship final.
Newell's decisive strike ultimately separated the sides at St Loman's in Mullingar as Claregalway became the first Galway outfit since St Brendan's in 2001 to win the All-Ireland intermediate title.
With a sprinkling of Galway's All-Ireland minor A medallists in their ranks, Claregalway built on the game's only goal to record a 1-9 to 0-9 victory.
Thomas Davis, with Dublin senior star Siobhán McGrath in their team, were foiled in their bid to add an intermediate crown to the All-Ireland junior title claimed last year.
Newell netted from a penalty after Thomas Davis were reduced to 14 players when goalkeeper Louise Curran took down Charlotte Cooney, who looked certain to score.
At half-time, Claregalway were 1-4 to 0-5 clear, with Thomas Davis remaining in touch thanks Sinead Deegan and Ciara McGuigan, the scoring star in last year's junior decider.
Ciara Burke, leading scorer for Claregalway with 0-5, opened the second half scoring from a free but Thomas Davis, with McGrath becoming more influential, began to exert more of an influence.
However, with eleven minutes remaining, Karen Sweeney Lynch received the second yellow card of the day for Thomas Davis and from the resultant free, Burke found the range.
And the ace forward added two further points from play to send Claregalway into a comfortable five-point lead with time fast running out.
Late points from Miriam Liston and Amanda Shields were not enough for Thomas Davis as a goal proved elusive for them.
Defensively, Claregalway were outstanding with Eimile Gavin and player of the match Megan Glynn in top form.
Meanwhile, Kerry outit Na Gaeil hammered Scottish club Dunedin Connolly's of Edinburgh to win the Tesco Homegrown All-Ireland junior ladies club football final.
Na Gaeil ran out comprehensive winners by 2-27 to 1-5 in the final, played at Crettyard, county Laois.
At half-time, Na Gaeil led by 2-15 to 0-2, with the goals scored by Kate Anne O'Connor and Emily Brick.
Nevertheless, it's been a landmark campaign for Dunedin, who won the British championship and the junior section of the Páidí Ó'Sé tournament in Kerry.
Wicklow native Caoilfhionn Deeney scored a second half consolation goal for outclassed Dunedin.
Results:
TESCO Homegrown All-Ireland junior ladies club football final.
Dunedin Connolly's (Edinburgh) 1-5 Na Gaeil (Kerry) 2-27
TESCO Homegrown All-Ireland intermediate ladies club football final.
Claregalway (Galway) 1-9 Thomas Davis (Dublin) 0-9 Tweet
