Aodh Ruadh ladies prove a point

Senior ladies county final
3 November 1995
Aodh Ruadh 2-9
MacCumhaill's 1-10
Sean Perry reports

Ballyshannon ladies proved on Sunday afternoon last at Tirconaill Park, that they too have the ability to deliver county titles to the winding banks of the Erne with a courageous victory over an experienced MacCumhaill's side.

The shattered Twin Towns team wept torrents after the game and understandably so as this was their third year as beaten finalists. They were also semi-finalists in '92 to be beaten by St. Eunan's on each count. With the Cathedral girls out of the running this year, an impressive scalp for the Aodh Ruadh ladies, MacCumhaill's were the favourites and justified that tag for a percentage of the game.

The Ballyshannon side were the first of three Aodh Ruadh teams to grace the grasses of Donegal last Sunday. Having taken a good quarter hour to settle in their first county final - with the exception of Bridget Clarke, a trio of winners medals with Saint Eunan's under her belt - the Ernesiders took a timely lead two minutes into the second half and form then on never faltered.

GOOD START
MacCumhaill's started by far the better of the sides, Karen O'Loughlin was marshalling the defence brightly. Christina Murphy was winning vast quantities of midfield ball while up front Aine McNulty and Brenda Harold were a potent threat with an accurate Arlene Devine to supply on the edge of the square.

Early indications were that Bernie Ferry had her hands full with Devine. The majority of the Twin Town's girls early scores came from the right wing. Devine outjumped Ferry to point, McNulty and Teresa Conway knocked over also as the MacCumhaill's girls raced into an early lead.

Aodh Ruadh full forward Frances Kane was experiencing a rotten spell with her free taking with no fewer than four off the mark in the opening stages. Meanwhile, Devine was demonstrating Tony Boyle-like prowness and agility at the other end, she tagged on two further scores in minutes nine and 12

Donna McGroarty entered the book for a challenge on an influential Grace Meade, the Aodh Ruadh number six covering her lines with great authority and zeal.

A tactical switch, inspired to say the least, reaped Ballyshannon's first scores, young Veronica Walls went from the 40 to full forward, Kane's ball winning capabilities were yearned further outfield. Walls - excellent throughout - put Aodh Ruadh on the score board with an individual effort followed immediately by a Kane free.

With 15 minutes played Aodh Ruadh were starting to work up a hunger, a greater determination was evident in their approach-play.

On 25 minutes, Murphy's tackle on a bruised Grace Meade, warranted a booking before Ballyshannon levelled the match with a well taken goal involving both their cornerforwards.

A Stella McGriskin cross was punched to the net by Marita Maguire giving keeper Margaret Foy no chance. Aodh Ruadh were back in the hunt. Bridget Clarke conceded a free deep in her own half for Devine to point and give her side a one point lead at the break 0-6 to 1-2.

After just a seven minute break both sides were back to battle over the destiny of the county title. Kane was back at full forward while Kenny Griffin sent out an unchanged MacCumhaill's outfit.

CROSSBAR
Walls rocked the Twin Towns crossbar before she hit the net with a spectacular 25 yard effort as Aodh Ruadh got off to a whirlwind start. In the first 12 minutes they played like champions and scored 1-3 to no response, this was ultimately where the game was won and lost. The Gillespie girls made a big impression whilst Veronica Walls ran a jaded MacCumhaill's defence ragged. Frances Kane registered a brace of frees, half forward Donna Mulligan eventually opened her account with a point and Clarke and Kane were central to the well executed goal. Kane and McNulty traded short range frees as MacCumhaill's began to break from a besieged defence. The wind coupled with Ballyshannon's physical strength were taking their toll on an exhausted defence, but Griffin's girls due deep.

Harold with a solo effort, an Arlene McGowan free and a beautiful Conway point left the score 2-6 to 0-10 with eight minutes to play. Bernie Gallagher replaced her namesake Kay Gallagher in a desperate bid to halt the havoc eminating from a tireless Aine McNulty.

McGriskin was released by Kane to fire over her first, a crucial score, but the finalists of the last two years, illustrated character of gigantic quality to bounce back with a goal. Harold went on a strong run through the middle, completed a swift interchange with McNulty and went on to beat Clare Flood from 15 yards. It was all square.

Aodh Ruadh rallied, using the long ball to the full. McGriskin gathered possession in a shooting position, won a free, and Kane stepped up with two minutes remaining. She kept a cool head to slot over and was called up a minute later to point again, Mary Gillespie having been fouled.

This guaranteed Aodh Ruadh's first county title of the year, Sylvester Maguire's faith in four girls aged 16 and under was inspired. A proud Frances Kane thanked everybody on receiving the cup while Sylvester was left to focus on his other mission, the senior semi-final that evening.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh Clare Flood; Lorraine Gallagher, Bernie Ferry, Ashling Buggy; Jenny McGloin, Grace Meade, Kay Gallagher; Mary Gillespie, Bernie Gallagher; Bridget Clarke, Veronica Walls 1-1, Donna Mulligan 0-1; Stella McGriskin 0-1, Frances Kane 0-6, all frees, Marita Maguire 1-0. Subs: Bernie Gallagher for K. Gallagher (48 mins.).
Killygarry Margaret Foy; Sabrina McCrudden, Denise Kelly, Sabrina Sheerin; Deirdre Gallagher, Karen O'Loughlin, Margaret Gallagher; Christina Murphy, Suzanne Griffin; Aine McNulty 0-1, Brenda Harold 1-1, Joanne De Ward; Treasa Conway 0-2, Arlene Devine 05, 2 frees, Donna McGroarty 0-1.
Referee: John McGlanaghy.

Last modified: Saturday, 27 June 2020 at 10:03am