Tir na nOg Boston Champions Again

Boston Shamrocks 3-4 Tir na nOg 4-15

Tir na nOg were proved to be too much for the Boston Shamrocks
as they wrapped up the Ladies Senior Football Championship.

Tir na nOg wrapped up the Ladies Senior Football Championship with little fuss on Sunday. The champions hit the back of the net three times before the mid-point of the first half. Points flew over the bar from all angles. Try as they might, the Shamrocks were unable to make an impression on their opponents and the celebrations began early before heading back to Brighton for the evening.

Tir na nOg opened with a goal from Natalia Hyland, the tall center forward made and early statement of intent with the goal as she tormented the Shamrocks defence for the rest of the half. Hannah Noonan followed with a point, and the Shamrocks then pointed to make get themselves on the board. Tir na nOg took off from there. A plethora of scores over the ensuing 20 minutes signaled that the senior football championship would be destined to return to Tir na nOg. Paula McGrath and Katie Murphy each netted before half time. Tir na nOg were stronger in almost all areas of the field. Shamrocks keeper, Doreen O’Connor, had a busy afternoon and pulled off some excellent saves. The Tir na nOg half back line got in on the act with scores coming from Mairead Luttrel and Norah Kirby each stole forward for points. The one bright spot for the Shamrocks was a goal that came from Shannon Loughran following a pass from Sharon McGovern. At the half it was 1-2 to 4-9 for the champions.

Boston North East Board Chairman John Farrell presents

The Ladies Senior Football Championship Cup to

Tir na nOg captain Sinead Bannon.  Bannon is a graduate of the

Irish Sports Youth League.

The Shamrocks scored first in the second half from Trish Hasset, but then their opponents turned it on again. The gap between the sides continued to grow, Niamh McEvoy, Paula McGrath, substitute Eimear Gallagher, and Sinead Bannon pointed. The Shamrocks generated several good scoring chances in the second half, but did not meet with success converting. Center forward Karen Keenie gave the Shamrocks some reason to cheer with a goal towards the end of the half, but by that stage the Ladies in green were playing for pride. Where once Ladies Football in Boston more or less meant the Boston Shamrocks, the pendulum has swung and now it is Tir na nOg who are firm kingpins in the Northeast. The sides will meet again in the Orla Benson Cup Final at the end of August. Next up for the Ladies is the 7-a-side on Saturday afternoon. The Brighton girls will represent the North East Board at the NACB Finals on Labor Day weekend and best of luck!


Shamrocks: D. O’Connor, K. Moore, C. McGinley, J. O’Connell, J. McNulty, G. Byrne, E. Brick, E. Sherwood, S. MacKessey, D. Ward, K. Keenie, T. Hassett, S. Loughran, A McDonnell, S. McGovern. Tir na nOg: L. Brick, T. Moran, N. Keane, H. Murray, M. Luttrell, N. Kirby, S. Delahunty, H. Noonan, N. McEvoy, K. Murphy, N. Hyland, P. McGrath, C. McConnell, J. Murphy, S. Bannon.


By Rory O'Donnell