Victorious Ahane Team
Sarah Crotty receives the Cup
Ahane 4-13 Feohanagh/Castlemahon 5-6
In an exciting County final that had everyone on the edge of their seats Ahane emerged victorious and are worthy Junior Novice champions 2009. In a thrilling encounter Ahane were a shade lucky to be level at half-time 3-05 each, but their superior fitness and class upfront finally told, as our ladies recorded a famous victory by four points against gallant Feohanagh/Castlemahon to lift the title in our first ever season at this adult grade on a final score-line 4-13 to 5-6.From the throw-in Ahane were quick to assert themselves and fired over an early point from Niamh Power. This early domination quickly evaporated when Feohanagh/Castlemahon leveled and then took complete control. Ahane unable to win primary possession from their own kick-out, were plundered and torn apart by a very cohesive and determined Feohanagh/Castlemahon attack. It looked grim for our girls as Feohanagh/Castlemahon struck a point to take the lead, then goaled to open a four point margin.
Any forray up the pitch at this point was dealt swiftly by the opposition whose half back line dominated and provided ample supply to their attack. Fortunately for Ahane they were kicking as many wides as scores. Entering the last third of this half Ahane were awarded a free which Niamh Mulcahy slotted over the bar. This signaled the end of the Feohanagh/Castlemahon siege. A transformed Ahane took the game by the scruff of the neck for the next few minutes and Shelly Quigleys searing runs through the heart of the opposition yielded her two goals in quick succession, the first an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net, the second a rasper that cracked off the crossbar and over the goal-line.
With lead restored our expectation was that we’d now kick on from this position but Feohanagh/Castlemahon had other ideas. Ahane’s defence, still hung-over from the early onslaught continued to leak soft goals and once again Feohanagh/Castlemahon pulled ahead. Niamh Mulcahy eased the pressure with another converted free after Shelley Quigley was pulled down and from the resulting kick out Shelley again gained posscession and with blinding pace raced through the center and crashed her shot to the net. This was quicly followed by another point from the same player to restore Ahanes lead by the slenderiest of margins. Back came Feohanagh/Castlemahon once more, and with some great interplay and attacking football from the wings they scored two points to pull ahead before Niamh Mulcahy played a clever one two from a quickly taken free to score a minor on the stroke of half time to leave both teams level 3-5 apiece.
The second half was an equally exciting affair as both sides fought hard to get the upper-hand. Feohanagh/Castlemahon missed a couple of early opportunities before Shelly Quigley was fouled in possession. Niamh Mulcahy stepped up to convert the free. Ahane upped the pressure and as Feohanagh/Castlemahon struggled on their own their kick-out, Ann Kennedy was rewarded second time lucky with a great goal to open up a bit daylight between the teams. Out came the sun, and Ahanes defence was playing much more assured as Grainne Harrahill dealt comfortably with any ball kicked toward goal, Tara Cannon and Marie Power commanded the corners and Sarah Crotty was relentless as she drove defence into attack. Against the run of play however Feohanagh/Castlemahon were awarded a penalty and Kristine Reidy rattled the net to narrow the margin to one. The same girl struck a minute later to level matters as we entered the last quarter.
The Ahane girls kept pressing however and game-breakers Shelly Quigley and Niamh Mulcahy went on a points scoring spree ably assisted by Anne Kennedy, Sinead Greaney and Amy Ryan. In this purple quarter Shelley lead the way to restore the lead, Niamh scored three more unanswered points; then up popped Amy Ryan to blast over another before Niamh added a further point to open up a six point lead entering the last few minutes. Feohanagh/Castlemahon never gave up and were rewarded with a fortuitous goal in the dying minutes to setup a grandstand finish. Our girls were having none of it as they had last say with a fine point from Shelly Quigley to seize a deserved victory and lift the club first ever Junior Novice title on a final scoreline 5-6 to 4-13.
Overall our girls are worthy champions but Feohanagh/Castlemahon will rue missed opportunities in the first half when they had the momentum. To our girls credit they never panicked – they left this to the supporters!! Some great defence from Sarah Crotty who played a captains part throughout and Karen Murphy at full back in the opening half really kept us in the game. In the second half playing with the wind at our backs everyone in defence came out on top. In midfield Judith Mulcahy linked defence and attack (eventually) and Niamh Mulcahy turned-in a powerful second half performance. Our half forward line also dominated their opposition in the second half with Niamh Power dispossessing and distributing ball very effectively. Shelly Quigley is no doubt a class act and she pretty much petrified the Feohanagh/Castlemahon defence any time she gained possession. In the full forward line Ann Kennedy, Amy Ryan and Sinead Greaney all dominated in the second half. Congratulations girls! Roll on 2010.
Team lined out as follows:
Grainne Harrahill , Tara Cannon, Karen Murphy, Marie Power, Edel Quigley, Sarah Crotty, Niamh Mulcahy (0-8) , Judith Mulcahy, Shelly Quigley (3-3 ), Sarah Morrissey, Niamh Power (0-1), Laura Byrnes, Anne Kennedy (1-0), Amy Ryan (0-1), Sinead Greaney – Sarah Joyce Power, Claire Mulcahy for Laura Byrnes, Mary O’Connor,Lorraine Quigley, Fiona Quirke, Louise Rennison, Laura O’Connor
Management: Billy Connelly, Pat Quigley, Carmel Power. First Aid : Emmie Byrnes (10 out of 10 for entering, coaching, mentoring this team)
Crotty Family Celebrate
Quigley Family Celebrate
Laura Byrnes Lifts the Cup