Cumann Peil Gael na mBan Mainistir na Corann ______________________________________________________________
U10’s Report
Glanmire 7-5 Midleton 4-2
A great performance by the girls who were under a lot of pressure from Glanmire in the first half. Midleton fought hard but the scores would not come for them. After they gathered themselves together at half time the girls went into the second half with their scoring boots on as the goals and the points eventually came their way. Midleton outscored Glanmire in second half who only managed 1-2. A great show of determination from our girls. Well done to you all.
Team: Jill Connaughton ,Aoife Mulcahy, Clara Collins, Amy Murray, Jenny Meade, Lilly Clifton, Eolise Halligan, Ellie Collins, Aisling Mc Carthy, Rebecca Crowley ,Aoife Fitzgerald, Mia Tarrant.
Midleton Junior Ladies Win Big in Limerick
Munsterlgfa.com decided to go behind the scenes with a team in the Munster 7’s to bring you a real flavour of the drama and excitement the tournament brings. The Club we followed were Midleton and lucky for you their story went all the way to the Junior final and ended with them on the steps receiving the Junior Crown in what was a day full of excitement. It even included a tense shootout victory.
In what can only be described as a magnificent performance Midleton Ladies won the Munster Junior 7 a side competition in tremendous style today in Mallow. Everybody on the panel of 12 played in every match and the rotation policy paid dividends as the tournament got to its penultimate stage. The history making panel was :Karen O’Brien, Lucy Lawton, Niamh O’Farrell, Sarah McCarthy (Captain), Aoife Madden, Leanne Ahern, Orlagh Farmer, Rebecca Walsh, Amy McCarthy, Emma Keane, Zoe McEvoy, Ciara McGrath.
Ten Teams from five counties (Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare & Kerry) entered the competition. Teams were split into two groups of five and each team had to play four matches with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Cup semi-finals.
Midleton 6-12 Kinsale 3-1
Playing with the wind Midleton announced their intentions with a blistering performance in the first game. The team were quick out of the blocks and raced into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead following a goal from Rebecca Walsh and a point from Orlagh Farmer, both of whom went on to dominate the middle of the park. Kinsale responded with a good goal before Midleton took control with a brace of points from Emma Keane, 1-2 from the ever dangerous Ciara McGrath and a blasted goal from Zoe McEvoy to leave the half time score at 3-5 to1-0.With the wind to their backs, Kinsale drove at the heart of the Midleton defence and crashed home two goals in the first two minutes, divided by a green flag from Leanne Ahern. Typical of the character shown throughout the day, this only galvanised the Midleton team who took ownership of the ball and a low drive by Leanne Ahern nestled in the back of the net. Lucy Lawton set out her stall and won all the hard balls in defence. A round half dozen points from Emma Keane, a fine point from the versatile Sarah McCarthy and a great goal from Rebecca Walsh following a move which started with goalkeeper Karen Ring which passed through five players before being finished to the net. A very good opening performance.
Scorers : Emma Keane (0-8), Leanne Ahern (2-0), Rebecca Walsh (2-0), Ciara McGrath (1-2), Zoe McEvoy (1-0), Sarah McCarthy (0-1), Orlagh Farmer (0-1)
Mullinahone (Tipperary)4-4 Midleton 3-6
In their only defeat in the day, Midleton learned so much about how to close out the runners from the opposition back line and the importance of retaining possession. Despite playing with the wind and racing into 1-1 lead following a point from Ciara McGrath & a goal from Zoe McEvoy, Mullinahone played a possession game and responded with two points of their own. Emma Keane and Amy McCarthy restored the four point lead before a lapse of concentration allowed Mullinahone travel 40m to plant the ball in the net. Leading by 1-3 to 1-2 at half time and facing into a wind, all did not bode well.
Following points from Orlagh Farmer and Ciara McGrath, Mullinahone ran from deep at Midleton and scored three unanswered goals to take a six point lead. Weaker teams would lie down and concede – not Midleton. Niamh O’Farrell thundered though a number of challenges to start a move that finished with a Sarah McCarthy point. A fabulous run from Orlagh Farmer set up Ciara McGrath who drilled a low ball to the net having side stepped the out rushing defender. Mullinahone picked off two good points before an Aoife Madden interception set up Rebecca Walsh to travel 30m before freeing Ciara McGrath to drill another to the net. With Midleton now dominating, the referee blew the whistle before the deficit could be overturned. A loss by a single point but a lot learned about character in this team.
Scorers : Ciara McGrath (2-2), Zoe McEvoy (1-0), Emma Keane (0-1), Amy McCarthy (0-1), Orlagh Farmer (0-1), Sarah McCarthy (0-1)
Midleton 6-4 St Brigid’s (Hospital/Herbertstown) Limerick 5-3
Having lost the previous match, Midleton had to win this one if they were to stay in the tournament. St Brigid’s were a formidable outfit having recently lost the Limerick County Junior Final and boasting an inter-county keeper. Having won the toss Sarah McCarthy chose to play into the wind. Despite conceding an early goal, Midleton responded with an Orlagh Farmer fisted point. After a Brigid’s point , Rebecca Walsh hammered a ball to the net. Having made one of about a dozen super saves in goal, Karen Ring was eventually beaten twice, once from a penalty. Down 3-2 to 1-1, character again shone through and with an Orlagh Farmer galloping run creating havoc, Ciara McGrath found the net and Emma Keane had a minor to leave the half time score 2-2 to 3-2.
St Brigid’s doubled their advantage with a goal at either side of Ciara McGrath’s sublime strike. Down by two goals, the girls dug deep and with continuous exchange of players took control. Leanne Ahern, now playing at midfield, played a holding role freeing Orlagh Farmer to charge forward to score two goals, the second a magnificent individual effort. With Midleton now retaining ball and moving through the lines at pace, Rebecca Walsh knocked over the lead point from close in and Amy McCarthy was first to react and superbly buried a rebound from the keeper. Karen Ring made another critical save with everything in the melting pot before Emma Keane scored Midleton’s last point. On the stroke of time St Brigid’s raised a white flag. The work rate of the forwards in closing down space from this match onwards was commendable as the girls developed their game plan. The flowing football was now a feature with Sarah McCarthy and Ciara McGrath issuing instructions and orchestrating play on the field.
Scorers : Orlagh Farmer (2-1), Rebecca Walsh (1-1), Zoe McEvoy (1-0), Ciara McGrath (1-0), Amy McCarthy (1-0), Emma Keane (0-2)
Midleton 5-6 Glanmire 1-5
In the final pool match, Midleton had to win to have the opportunity of topping their group and playing the runners up in the other group. Despite playing against the wind Midleton dominated from the outset. Sarah McCarthy & Lucy Lawton were totally on top in defence, Orlagh Farmer & Rebecca Walsh dominating midfield and Zoe McEvoy and Amy McCarthy opening space in the forward line. Goals from Orlagh Farmer, Rebecca Walsh and Ciara McGrath along with points from Sarah McCarthy, Rebecca Walsh, Emma Keane (2) and Ciara McGrath had Midleton in control at 3-5to 0-2 at half time. Despite a clumsy tackle which resulted in a yellow card, Midleton’s workrate did not allow Glanmire’s extra person to create an overlap.The second half followed a similar pattern with Niamh O’Farrell and Aoife Madden winning virtually everything in the backline and Leanne Ahern floating between midfield and the forward line scoring a fine goal. Amy McCarthy scored a fine goal and a good point to move Midleton well clear. In typical Glanmire fashion, the team rallied and kicked some impressive scores in the latter stages of the half. With the game won Midleton were now safely into the semi-finals.
Scorers : Amy McCarthy (1-1), Ciara McGrath (1-1), Rebecca Walsh (1-1), Leanne Ahern (1-0) Emma Keane (0-2), Sarah McCarthy (0-1)
Rule 10 of the competition which stated “Should there be a group tie for first and second positions in the group, the placing shall be determined by 5 shots for points from the 30m line”, came into play, as both St Brigid’s and Midleton were on nine points at the end of the group stage.
Following the final match Midleton girls met and agreed the kicking order of players from 1-12 if the case arose and headed out to the pitch and practiced kicking in number order. The five volunteers being Amy McCarthy, Sarah McCarthy, Ciara McGrath, Karen Ring and Orlagh Farmer scored three of their five kicks. St Brigid’s only score one of the first four and hence Midleton were deemed to have topped the group and proceeded to play Oola (Limerick) in the semi-final with St Brigid’s playing Douglas who won Group 2.
Both semi- finals threw in at the same time. Douglas topping this group comfortably went on to play St Brigits in one and Oola to play Midleton in the other.
Munster Semi-Final.
Midleton 3-8 Oola1-6
By now Midleton were like a well-oiled machine, humming quietly and growing in confidence. Support both on and off the pitch was evident and the free flowing short game with players travelling at pace off the shoulder to support each other. Despite playing into the breeze in the first half and Oola scoring the first point, the free running of the Midleton midfielders were causing severe problems for the tiring Oola. An Orlagh Farmer goal followed by three goals from Emma Keane, Leanne Ahern and Rebecca Walsh along with a brace of points from Sarah McCarthy had Midleton well in control and leading by 3-3 to 0-2 at half time. Even a trip to the ambulance by a somewhat dazed Aoife Madden, and a short break as Leanne Ahern participated in the demolition derby didn’t halt the total commitment of every player on the pitch. Two more fine saves from Karen Ring were putting her in play for keeper of the tournament,
Hurting from the first half, Oola won the throw in and stuck the back of the Midleton net. Both teams exchanged points for the remainder of the game with Midleton’s scores coming from Leanne Ahern, Orlagh Farmer (2), Emma Keane and a superb long range effort from Lucy Lawton who found herself deep in opposition territory and well out of her comfort zone.
Scorers : Leanne Ahern (1-1), Emma Keane (1-1) Orlagh Farmer (0-3), Rebecca Walsh (1-0), Sarah McCarthy (0-2), Lucy Lawton (0-1)
Munster Final.
Midleton 3-9 St Brigid’s 2-2
What a way to finish a tournament. This was as complete a display as could have been hoped for. Work rate, commitment, support play, skill and pride in what everybody was representing. Once again Midleton played into the wind in the first half. Following an OrlaghFarmer point, St Brigid’s scored 1-1 following mistakes from tired legs. When other teams would have died or started shouting at each other, Midleton shouted words of support and firmed the resolve, taking the game to St Brigid’s. A superb Orlagh Farmer goal was followed 2 minutes later by a fine Ciara McGrath point. A feature of the first half was the speed of Midleton’s Karen Ring from the line to make three important interceptions and her ability to judge which long balls to allow to hop harmlessly wide. St Brigid’s responded to the incessant Midleton pressure with a point when a goal seemed possible prior to superb defending from Aoife Madden. A further Ciara McGrath point followed by a superb Rebecca Walsh goal allowed Midleton enter the half time break leading 2-3 to 1-2.
A mix up from the restart allowed St Brigid’s in for a cracking goal. Game on. When need was greatest Niamh O’Farrell won three superb high balls and created an immediate overlap. Orlagh Farmer and Rebecca Walsh took control of midfield, alternating the attacking role to score a kicked and hand passed point to restore order. With an overlap evident Lucy Lawton hurled into a huge challenge, getting injured in the process but setting a key marker for the remainder of the game. Ciara McGrath popped another lovely point before Amy McCarthy had an inspired 4 minutes, scoring a goal and a point, hitting the crossbar and forcing a superb save from the keeper. Points from Leanne Ahern and Rebecca Walsh rounded off the scoring and Midleton were deservedly Munster champions.
In six games today Midleton scored 25-43 and conceded just 16-21 and no less than nine Midleton players got on the score sheet – what a wonderful return. On the day every player played in every match. In goals Karen Ring proved a revelation, making some superb saves, growing in confidence to fill a sweeper role and even offering an outlet for pressurised defenders, particularly in the knock out stages when players were tiring.
Defenders Niamh O’Farrell, Sarah McCarthy, Lucy Lawton & Aoife Madden worked tirelessly, throwing themselves into every challenge, winning balls that they had no right to, covered for each other and even joined the attack when the opportunity arose. Knocks and bruises were worn as badges of honour.
Midfielders Orlagh Farmer, Rebecca Walsh & Leanne Ahern were the engine room and ran until nobody could run with them anymore. Cramps, blisters, muscle strains and wedding overhang couldn’t stop them putting everything in for the cause.
Forwards Amy McCarthy, Zoe McEvoy, Ciara McGrath & Emma Keane gave it everything and did what backs hate most, won the ball in front, laid off and went again. When not in possession, they defended like their lives depended on that piece of white leather and created space whenever the midfielders came through.
This was truly a team performance. Girls can be really proud of what was achieved today and most importantly how it was achieved. Today Midleton announced “ we are worthy champions” . A special bond has been created within this winning team. What a pleasure to be involved with such a wonderful group. Roll on the championship.
Many Thanks to Ian O’Brien for putting this piece together
DATE FOR YOR DIARY
Midleton Ladies Football Camp is confirmed for Monday August 18th to Friday August 22nd. It will run from 10am to 1pm and is open to Boys and Girls from U8’s to U12’s. Camp Co-Ordinator is Mags McEvoy who can be contacted on 086-3241929
East Cork Ladies Gaelic Football 