Review of Dublin Junior Championship Finals
- Aug 09,2009
Junior Finals Day at Innisfails.
On a glorious day for football four of the Dublin Ladies County Junior Championship finals for 2009 were played at Innisfails. There was great support for all the clubs involved and the teams did not disappoint. The football was of a very high standard throughout and Dublin Ladies Board can be very pleased with the efficient running of events on the day.
First off was the Junior E final where a more clinical St. James’ Gaels overcame a gallant Craobh Chiaráin on a scoreline of 1-19 to 3-3. The damage was done in the first half when with the aid of a light breeze Gaels led by 1-12 to 1-1 this despite the fact that the Donnycarney side led by 1-1 to no score after two minutes. Powered on by their halfback line and midfielders Gaels took control and full forward Catriona Fitzgerald, in particular, put Craobh Chiaráin to the sword scoring 1-7 of her side’s total. Craobh Chiaráin battled to the end and the score would have much closer were it not for three great saves from goalkeeper Tracey Doyle and a host of wasted opportunities
Player of the Match - Ashling Dempsey, St. James’ Gaels.
Referee - Sean Hayes, Raheny.
The Junior D final between Na Fianna and Whitehall Colmcille was an absolute cracker and undoubtedly, Match of the Day, which the Moibhi Road side won by 5-12 to 4-8. They led by by 4-7 to 2-3 at half time. Whitehall who are an upcoming and inexperienced side really put it up to their more illustrious opponents but in the end the greater experience of Na Fianna saw them home as deserved winners. It was end to end stuff all the way through with no quarter given or asked. Aisling Lyons at full forward was a superb target player for Na Fianna and scored 2-1of her side’s total as well as setting up several other scores for her fellow players. Fionnuala Sexton top-scored with 2-3 while Caroline Crean contributed 1-5. Joanne Ni Mhathúna and Kate Mulvey made telling contributions for Whitehall, the latter scoring 1-3. Colmcilles didn’t go away empty handed as centre forward, Dayna McDonald, was selected as Player of the Match.
Referee - Karl Hand, St. Sylvesters.
The Junior C final was the closest of the day and was only decided in the last five minutes as Lucan Sarsfields overcame Ballinteer St. John’s on a scoreline of 3-7 to 1-9. Ballinteer will rue their many first half misses especially which left them leading 1-5 to 1-2 having played with the aid of the breeze. Late in the game they hit the crossbar when a goal looked certain and put passes astray at crucial times. Sarsfields on the other were more clinical with their finishing and won the day. Despite the sin binning of Cliona McDonald in the second half the Lucan defence held firm and St. John’s failed to capitalise. Emma Cooney made an outstanding contribution to the Lucan cause in both halves and was chosen as Player of the Match. She scored 1-2 of the Lucan total. Ellen Downes scored the crucial late goal that sealed victory for Sarsfields.
Rachel Kavanagh had an outstanding second half for Ballinteer and drove her side forward relentlessly. She was ably assisted by Rachel Fitzsimons and Julie-Anne Forbes. Laura McMahon with 0-4 and Celine Kelly with 1-1 were joint top scorers.
Referee - David McCabe, Round Towers, Clondalkin.
The Junior B final saw last year’s Junior C champions, St. Maurs, take another step on the promotion ladder with a comprehensive win over St. Judes. The sides were level at half- time on 1-5 apiece but St. Maurs really upped the tempo in the second half and picked off their scores at will. Olivia Leonard gave a display of clinical finishing scoring 3-4 of her side’s total. However, it was midfielder, Eadaoin McGuinness, who was chosen as Player of the Match. She must have covered every blade of grass on the pitch such was her workrate. Sharon Lynch contributed 1-4 of St. Jude’s total. Deirdre Lyons and Aoife Rockett worked their socks off for St. Judes but it wasn’t to be their day.
Final score - St. Maurs 4-13 St. Judes 1-10.
Referee - Paul Flanagan, St. James’ Gaels.
Photos Courtesy of AllSports Photography - Call Janet 0862025981 for more details
