Gabriel Rangers 4-7 Kildorrery 1-6.
It was understandable that there were joyous scenes at Ballincollig on Sunday evening when Gabriel Rangers captured the Co Div 2 League title. They have lost so many co finals than they care to remember, when victory finally came it was all the sweeter. It was a fine open game of football on a greasy pitch after heavy rain before the start. The first half was very even and the ability of Rangers top forward Claire 0’Brien to find the target was the main difference between the sides at the short whistle after she received a good supply of ball from Elaine Cotter and Deirdre Ward who were on top at midfield. Miss 0’Brien put 2-2 on the score board with Siobhan Dineen contributing 0-3. Kildorrery had to work hard for their scores, against a strong defence well marshalled by their inspiring capt Ann O’Regan Christine Deasy, Ellen Regan, Mary Kelleher and a very solid keeper in Gretta Burchill, the goal came from Mairead Noonan with the points from the boot of Orla Murphy, keeper on the Cork under 16 team. This left Kildorrery on 1-3 and very much in contention.
Close contest.
The points from Niamh Hickey and Gillian O’Brien made it a closer contest after the break but a scoring burst which saw Claire Daly send over a point, Siobhan Dineen a goal and a long range point from a 40 metre free from Claire O’Brien virtually closed out the game for them A final goal from Emer Cleary when she dispossessed keeper Karen Barry 5 minutes from the end sealed victory and history was made for the Gabriel Rangers girls. Kildorrery never gave up trying but their only other score came from Niamh Hickey.
Gabriel Rangers: Gretta Burchill, Christine Deasy, Ellen O’Regan Sinead O’Driscoll, Anita Hurley, Ann O’Regan, Mary Kelleher, Deirdre Ward, Elaine Cotter, Claire O’Brien, 2-3 Clodagh 0’Driscoll, Deirdre Cotter, Emer Cleary,1-0 Claire Daly, 0-1 Siobhan 1-3 Anita Johnson, Aoife Coughlan, Maria Cregan, Nollaig Cleary, Catherine Moynihan, Kate Crowley, Denise Hayes, Verona O’Driscoll. Hazel Byrne Anna Ward.
Kildorrery: Karen Barry, Eileen McCarthy, Caroline Coughlan, Deirdre Murphy, Niamh Hennessy, Gillian O’Brien,0-1 Mairead Noonan, Ann 0’Callaghan, Fiona Healy, Joanne Hennessy, Niamh Hickey, 0-2 Orla Murphy,0-3 Laura Hanley, Trish O’Callaghan, Val McCormack, Marie Wilson, Aoife Hennessy, Jean O’Donovan, Eleanor O’Gorman, Sarah Coughlan, Katie Barry, Abina McCarthy, Caroline Hanley Denise Boyle, Nollaig Baker.
By Fr. Liam Kelleher
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