Go-Ahead Ireland Junior C Ladies Football Championship Final Ballyboden St Endas Senior C v Naomh Mearnóg
Wednesday 18th August, 7.30pm Pairc Uí Mhúrchú
Championship Final day for the Boden ladies and what a treat was in store. The club welcomed Naomh Mearnóg to an immaculate Pairc Uí Mhúrchú pitch and the hosts were ready to hit the ground running making their mark from the get go. There were some very impressive displays of skill from each sides and both teams quickly racking up the scores. Ballyboden took the lead early on and went in at the half time break 9 points ahead. As expected, Naomh Mearnóg came out strong in the second half and really put it up to the girls. They managed to find their way through Boden’s defence on a number of occasions, finding gaps, winning frees and working the ball in to close the deficit with some fine scores. The Ballyboden ladies had to hold firm, stay disciplined and stick to what they did well. The backs did not let the team down, remaining composed as they worked the ball out of defence and provided the forwards with plenty of decent ball to work with. Full back Helena McWalters ran the show at the back keeping everyone in check and making sure no gaps appeared.
Throughout the pitch, the Boden ladies remained solid with Katie McDonald, Amy Lawlor and Erica Tobin working their socks off to track back when needed and drive forward when the gaps appeared.
Management could not have asked for more from these ladies especially when the pressure was on in the last 15 minutes with a relentless attack from the Naomh Mearnóg side. The girls remained composed, keeping their lead and finished the game out 5 points ahead and a Championship Final win at last!
Every single one of these ladies deserve this win and it is truly down to the hard work and commitment the entire panel have given not just this year but for the past few years.
Huge credit to the management team who have driven this team on for 3 years running, never easing off on the pressure and always encouraging the team to improve and work hard. At the end of the day, the hard work paid off for these ladies and management and they are deserved winners. As promised by Captain Cliona McGowan early in the season, they ‘bossed it’ and got the rewards.
Final Score: Ballybdoen St Endas 5:14 Naomh Mearnóg 3:15
Team: Back Row from L-R Kate Kavanagh, Ciara McCormack, Aisling Gargan, Sarah McGrath, Aoife Barton, Laura Mullen, Ally Ramsden, Amy Lawlor, Joanne Munnelly, Laura Smithers, Erica Tobin.
Front Row from L-R Hannah O’Gorman, Helena McWalters, Saoirse Fitzgerald, Eva Brennan, Lucy O’Shea, Katie McDonald, Cliona McGowan (Captain) Kiara Cunningham, Amy Cunningham, Grace Campbell.
Missing on the night were Sarah Moore and Olivia Meagher,
Management Team: Stephen Campbell, Aisling Farrelly, Paul Hall and Stuart Ramsden.
Many thanks to Liam Cunningham for the photos, For more, see here