Rockbán into County U-14 Ladies Football final as Inch Rovers and Aghada bow out.
East Cork will have only one representative in the U-14 ladies’ football county championship finals for 2014 as Rockbán overcame Inch Rovers in the “B” semi Final and Aghada made their exit to Bantry in the “A” section over the weekend.
Rockbán comprehensively defeated Inch Rovers in one semi final of the County U 14 “B” Ladies football championship in a game played at a beautiful Rostellan venue on Sunday evening. Rockban playing against a strong wind got off to a great start scoring a goal and a point in the first 6 minutes. They added two further points before Rose Goggin opened the Inch account in the 17th minute but almost from the resulting kick out Jennifer Whelan scored a great goal at the other end. Inch pressed very hard but the Rockban backs were superb, tight and efficient, they chased and harassed and contested every ball working it up the field time and time again. Both sides traded points before the break to leave the score 2-04 to 0-03.
Inch Rovers started the better in the second period but were rocked by a third goal in the eight minute from the boot of Meabh Fitzgerald. Both teams were now playing some wonderful football point for point but the Rockbán girls always had the cushion of the earlier goals. As the game progressed Rockban showed their superior fitness and also the depth of talent they had on the bench as the substitutes that came on were equally as good as any of the original 15. They eventually ran out easy winners scoring two further goals one almost on the stroke of full time to leave the final score 5-08 to 0-07
Full credit to both teams who came out and played some lovely open, fast flowing, sporting and entertaining football.
The entire Rockbán team can be very proud of their achievements so far this year as they have improved significantly over the course of the East Cork league and we wish them the very best of luck as they now carry the flag for the East Cork division into the county “B” final which will be played next weekend against Nemo Rangers venue to be announced.
Rockbán
O Murphy, A Fitzgerald, M Hayes, E Kelleher, S Buckley, C McCarthy, A Donovan, A O’Leary, E Mullins, C McSweeney, R O Donovan, A McElhinney, D Twomey, J Whelan, M Fitzgerald, L Sheehan, K Saunders, R O Mahony.A O’Keeffe, C Kelleher, C Doran, E Coffey, K Woulfe, L Caughlan, O Murphy (C), R Mulcahy, S Connolly, S Singleton.
Inch Rovers.
J Sexton, A O’Neill, E Cosgrove, M Maxwell, A Higgins, A Joyce, S Kyle, A Budds, R Goggin, S Cremin, K Steel, M Murphy, A Martin, O Carhis, A Keohane.
Aghada U 14 Girls narrowly lose out in County “A” Semi Final.
The U 14 Aghada Ladies made their exit from the county “A” championship when they were beaten by a very good Bantry team in an exciting semi final game played in Brinny on Friday night last.
Despite the terrible weather earlier in the day the rain held off which made it more comfortable for players and spec tors and the pitch in Brinny was in excellent condition.
Bantry were first to settle putting the Aghada backs under all sort of pressure scoring 3 points from frees in the opening 13 minutes from Cork midfielder Rachel Murphy. Lauren Linehan replied with a pointed free in the 15 minute but Bantry scored a great goal just on 20 minutes. Bantry who had the lions share of the play scored three further points to Aghada’s one to leave the score 1-06 to 0-02 at the half time break.
The West Cork champions started the second period in dramatic style when Cork star Eve Murphy goaled after just 20 seconds. Aghada now had an almost impossible task but full credit to them they fought their way back and when Linehan hit the back of the net herself there was only a goal between the sides. The East Cork girls were now in the ascendency with Sarah Leahy, Aileen McGrath (also Cork U 14 Players) and Amy Hickman & Lauren Linehan in great form. They pressed hard and were frightfully unlucky as the Aghada forwards hit the underside of the cross bar on two separate occasions and also had a goal disallowed. Bantry backs were under severe pressure but Lucy Coakley at centre back aided by Bernadette O Flynn were outstanding and held the Aghada forwards at bay, Sides exchanged further points until Bantry goaled again almost on full time to put daylight between the sides .Aghada did manage to score a last point but it was the West Cork girls who were victorious by two goals 3-09 to 1-09.
Well done to Bantry who now go on to meet St Vals in the County “A” final next weekend.
Aghada Panel
M Stafford, K Stafford, C Walsh, A Quinn, L McAllister, A Hickman, B Wall, S Leahy, A McGrath. E R Boylan, S Walsh, M Sweeney, C O’Keeffe M Leahy, L Lenihan, M Culligan, A Corigliano, Aine McGrath, K.Terry & A Rose.
The Semi Finals of the U 14 B league will also take place next weekend with neighbours Erin’s Own at home to Carrigtwohill and Cloyne at home to Glanmire “B”. The Finals of these competitions are down for 26th June just before the national schools break for the Summer Holidays.
East Cork Ladies Gaelic Football 