Sun June 2 - Orla Benson Cup Final: Boston Shamrocks v Connacht Ladies

Connacht Ladies 0-5 Boston Shamrocks 3-17

Boston Shamrocks retained the Orla Benson Cup with an emphatic win to open the summer of competition between local the Ladies teams.  It was a dominating performance with the Shamrocks on top in all areas of the field.  The Shamrocks never let up for the hour and in the second half banged in some goals to embellish the score. 

Boston Shamrocks Captain Laura Kiernan presented with the 

Orla Benson Cup by Boston Northeast Chairman, Peter Murray.

The Shamrocks dominated the opening exchanges and held the Connaught Ladies inside their own half of the field for long spells over the first 30 minutes.  Sara Jane McDonald was the danger woman for the Shamrocks, and showed strength on the ball.  This was epitomized by a solo run that the Donegal native embarked on right after the Connacht Ladies had pointed twice on the trot.  McDonald made a mazy 40 yard run, beating several opponents, and then burying the ball into the net with just the keeper to beat.  Laura Kieran was also to the fore for the Shamrocks.  Kiernan tallied 3 points herself and showed a clean pair of heels on a number of occasions.

Connacht Ladies had to defend for long spells.  Getting the ball into the hands of full forward, Jane Ward, was key to their scoring chances.  Ward pointed from a free and center forward, Ciara Heffernan, added a second.  The scores stemmed a string of 6 Shamrocks points, but then came the goal from McDonald.

Another Orla Benson Cup for the Boston Shamrocks/

The second half started with a goal from the Shamrocks to really put a damper on any hopes of a comeback from the Connacht Ladies.  Ciara Murphy got goal to celebrate her birthday after netting from close range, after winning the ball on the edge of the square.

The Shamrocks continued to keep Connacht Ladies in the back foot with some quick passing and points were added by Shannon Kelly and Valerie Courtney.   It was a losing battle for Connacht as they tried to find a way out of their own half, but the Shamrocks were able to turn it over and get on the attack again.

Connacht Ladies:  Leann McColgan, Irene Greene, Catherine Cullen, Regina Brady, Ciara Forde, Shauneen McAleer, Stacey Gallagher, Aisling Kerr, Niamh Hynes, Joanne Kennedy, Ciara Heffernan, Liz Hunt, Katelyn Hegarty, Jane Ward, Colette Folan.

Boston Shamrocks:  Anne Marie McDonnell, Cathy McEleaney, Stacey Fuller, Allie D’Amico, Katie O’Sullivan, Caitlin Slattery, Erin Cody, Shannon Costello, Laura Kiernan, Ciara Mallon, Shannon Kelly, Sara Jane McDonald, Valerie Courtney, Lauren McGuigan, Ciara Murphy.

By Rory O'Donnell