Boston Shamrocks 2-12 Connacht Ladies 2-15
Connacht Ladies took the Boston senior championship on their
first attempt with a rousing victory over the Boston Shamrocks. Connacht got great performances from Louise
Ryan and Imelda McNulty in the half back line, Christina Newton in the middle
of the field, and a superb game from Jane Ward at full forward. When the game was on the line Ward was
involved in helping out the back line and as usual caused havoc in the
Shamrocks rearguard all day long.
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| Connacht Ladies celebrate winning the Mickey Coyne Cup |
Boston Shamrocks started the game without the services of
Orla Heavey and Mary Cronin, who had been key pieces of their season, but still
had plenty of talent to give a good tilt at the game. Connacht Ladies got off to the better
start. With Imelda McNulty, Brett, and
the full forward line clicking, Connacht established a six point lead. Ward was the main threat in the Connacht
forward line, and netted mid way through the half. Her low shot beat the keeper on the inside
post. Connacht had popped over from
Ward, Sinead Ryan, and Louise Brett and looked in well control leading by 1-5
to 0-2. The Shamrocks struggled to keep
pace with their opponents, but a goal from a Clodagh McGovern after the bounce
of the ball beat the defender kept them in touch. Katie Scanlon was pulled down in the area and
Sheila Carroll slotted the spot kick home.
Game on again. Connacht took a
two point lead into the break thanks to points from Ward and Anne Marie McDaid
before the short whistle.
With the second half 10 minutes old the sides were tied as
the Shamrocks pulled themselves level with points from Cronin and Clodagh
McGovern. Ward, however, was involved in
a goal that put the westerners ahead.
Her deft chip over the top found Ryan who finished expertly into the far
corner. Ward followed with a point and
there was four points between the teams.
Niamh Lonergan, who worked hard all afternoon on the wing pointed for
the Shamrocks and Cronin reduced the deficit to two points. The Shamrocks pushed forward as the
excitement built. After Louise Ryan
pointed the Shamrocks got within a point thanks to scores from Ciara Hegarty
and Cronin. It was anybody’s game now as
each side pushed for the decisive scores.
It was Connacht who got them.
Ward, who was now also helping out the backs, set up a score for Brett
and which proved to be the winning point.
A championship for Connacht Ladies in their maiden season, and for the
Shamrocks it was very much a comeback year.
Referee: Syl Doyle
Player of the Game:
Jane Ward (Connacht Ladies) The
Tyrone girl was key for Connacht Ladies in the forward line.
Shamrocks: L. Behan,
S. McMahon, E. McGovern, A. Dillon, A.M. McDonnell, D. Hallissey, B. Gallagher,
A. Smith, C. Hegarty, N. Lonergan, L. Cronin, S. McGovern, C. McGovern, S.
Carroll, K. Scanlon. Connacht: C. Heraty, L. Burns, J. O’Connell, A. Kerr,
L. Ryan, I. McNulty, M. Treanor, K. O’Shea, C. Newton, A.M. McDaid, L. Brett,
K. Lynch, S. Ryan, J. Ward, J. McDonagh.
By Rory O'Donnell
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