East Cork U16 B Ladies Football Final

Glanmire 1-12 Bride Rovers 1-7

“Courtney McCarthy the difference between the sides”

East Cork Journal in Carrigtwohill

Conditions were far from ideal in Carrigtwohill on last Friday night when referee Ian O’Brien threw in the ball for the East Cork U16 B ladies football league final between Bride Rovers and Glanmire.

In the circumstances the ladies served up a fine game in wet conditions with Bride Rovers getting off to a good start with points from Kate O’Connor and Chloe Murphy. Glanmire started slowly but gradually got going with Courtney McCarthy getting them off the mark, while Chloe Casey had the side’s level on 12 minutes.

From there to half time Bride Rovers were forced to defend as Glanmire took control with Courtney McCarthy hitting a goal and a point, while Michelle Barry and Leah Ricken also found the range to help Glanmire to a 1-5 to 0-2 interval lead. Indeed it might have been more but Madison Parle pulled off a fine save from Chloe Casey.

On the resumption Glanmire increased their lead with two quick points, but Bride Rovers responded well. Karen Sheehan was coming more into the game at midfield while Aoife O’Sullivan and Grace Culloty showed well when in possession. A few positional switches also helped and a goal from grace Culloty had them right back in contention. It was now Glanmire’s turn to absorb the pressure as Bride Rovers shot over points from Emma Roche, Clare Murphy and Margaret Kelleher to close the gap to four points. Glanmire now had a fight on their hands as Amy O’Lehane brought off a fine save to keep their advantage intact with ten minutes remaining.

Glanmire had weathered the storm and points from Lucy Allen, Maeve and Courtney McCarthy eased the pressure and while Bride Rovers battled to the finish, the stronger Glanmire girls held out for a hard earned but fully deserved win with Courtney McCarthy the difference between the sides.

After the game Phil Harrington presented the Plaque to Glanmire captain Amy Curtin.

Glanmire: C McCarthy 1-7, C Casey, M Barry, L Ricken, M McCarthy and L Allen 0-1 each.

Bride Rovers: E Culloty 1-0, C Murphy and E Roche 0-2 each, M Kelleher, G Culloty and K Connor 0-1 each.

Glanmire: A O’Lehane, L Casserley, K Hedderman, A Curtin Capt, M Fleming, E Casey, K Barry, M McCarthy, L Allen, N Cashman, C Casey, L Ricken, M Barry, C McCarthy and C Maher.

Bride Rovers: M Parle, M Kingsley, A Cashman, S O’Flynn, A O’Driscoll, P O’Sullivan, L Friel Capt, C Murphy, K Sheehan, M Kelleher, K Connor, E Roche, J Howard, G Culloty and E Culloty. Subs used N Murphy, L Pratt and A Howard.

Referee: Ian O’Brien.

Captains with Ref; Ian O’Brien (Photo courtesy of East Cork Journal)