Ladies Senior Football Final: Connacht Ladies v Boston Shamrocks

Boston Shamrocks 0-7 Connacht Ladies 4-14

Connacht Ladies make it 2 for 2 in senior football.

Connacht Ladies proved too strong for the Boston Shamrocks in the Ladies senior football final.  The Shamrocks battled hard throughout and kept it close for the first period.  Once the second half was 15 minutes old however, it was evident that the cup would be staying with the westerners for the second year in a row. 

The first half went the way of the Connacht Ladies though the Shamrocks hung in and kept it close.  The opening 20 minutes went to the script, with the Connacht Ladies taking a 1-5 to one point lead.  The westerners were well on top in all areas of the field, though the Shamrocks battled hard to stay in the game.  Ciara Donnelly, Ailish Gormley, and Arlene Fox pointed.  Maeve Breen then pointed from half back, before Sharon McGovern got the Shamrocks on the scoresheet.  Connacht though pressed home their advantage with a goal from Ciara Donnelly who fired low inside the near post about half way into the opening period.  The Shamrocks did not drop their heads and continued to fight hard.  Towards the end of the half their efforts paid off as they got back into the game.  Brittany Lockwood, Sheila Carroll and Shannon Mullen tried to make the most of every possession, and Sharon McGovern dropped deep and scored two more points following runs as the defence opened up for her.  At the break it was a 1-6 to 0-4 Connacht lead. 

In the second half Connacht extened their lead to 11 points entering the final quarter of the game.  Shamrocks attacks were cut short by the diligent work of the Connacht back line.  Laura Burns and Joanne O'Connell made some timely interceptions.  Connacht netted a second goal through subsititute Catriona Foley who added some punch to the Connacht forward line.  The Shamrocks efforts were not helped by the sin binning of Brittany Lockwood.  Jane Ward who had been quiet up to this point then came to life and the game became a one sided affair.  The Bearagh native tallied a goal and 3 points in the space of 5 minutes, and with that the contest was over.  To their credit the Shamrocks continued to give their best effort.  Sheila Carroll and Kelly Mullen pointed late in the game to salvage some pride for the Shamrocks, but the defence of the title was in little danger.  Two championships in 2 years for Connacht ladies as they head for Cleveland in the hopes of adding a North American title to their already impressive record.

Referee:  Sean Joy (Kerry)

Player of the Game:  Joanne O'Connell (Connacht Ladies).

Shamrocks:  K. Rohan, E. King, L. Doyle, B. Lockwood, L. Quinn, A. McDonnell, E. McGovern, S. Carroll (0-1), S. Mullen, K. Scanlon, S. McGovern (0-4), K. Mullen (0-1), R. Kelly, S. Woods (0-1), B. Kelly.  Connacht:  C. Heraty, S. McAleer, E. Beirne, L. Burns, H. Poff, J. O'Connell, M. Breen (0-1), A. McGlone, S. Brady, J. Ward (1-3), A. Ring (0-2), A. Kerr (0-1), A. Fox (0-1), E. Gormley (0-2), C. Donnelly (2-2).  Sub:  C. Foley (1-1).

By Rory O'Donnell