September 2012: Killoe Ladies team made history on 8th September 2012 by capturing their third Senior Title in a row following victory over Clonguish in the Longford Ladies Senior Championship Final. Congratulations to the players and management on an amazing achievement and to Lizzy Brady on winning the coveted Player of Match award.
Killoe ladies made it three-in-a row when they defeated Clonguish in the Senior Football Championship Final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday 8th September 2012.
The game appeared to be over as a contest at the break as Killoe went in seven points in front; 1-9 to 1-2. They looked very comfortable at that stage but credit to Clonguish they made a game of it in the second half and at one stage cut the gap to four points and could have made it a one point game eight minutes from time. Led by player of the match Elizabeth Brady Killoe pulled away in the final few minutes to regain the county title.
Killoe started the game very well and had opened up a three point advantage inside the opening seven minutes. Sabrina Hackett got their first point in the 4th minute and that was followed up by further scores from Anna McDonnell and Elizabeth Brady.
Clonguish had a chance to register their first point in the 9th minute but Alice Magan hit a bad wide after receiving the ball from Una Flynn.
A bad clearance from the Clonguish defence in the 15th minute saw Killoe grab their first goal. Sabrina Hackett picked up the ball and rifled a stunning shot past the helpless Clonguish keeper Shannon Woods. Minutes later Killoe put seven between the sides when Anne Marie Bratten pointed a free after Anna McDonnell was fouled.
Clonguish were very poor in the opening 20 minutes; making a number of mistakes and giving the ball away too cheaply. They couldn’t contain Killoe but they were handed a chance to open their scoring in the 21st minute. Aoife Darcy played the ball into Una Flynn but she was fouled by Killoe keeper Louise Clarke when going for a goal and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Darcy and she tucked the spot-kick away with some power.
Throughout the game the talented Darcy was a real menace for the Killoe defence but she didn’t receive enough support on a number of occasions. Anne Marie Bratten was on the mark again for Killoe in the 24th minute, landing a nice point, before Clonguish created another goal chance one minute later but Louise Clarke pulled off a good save to deny Laura Healy after she was played in by Aoife Darcy.
Killoe then tagged on four more points to their tally; two from Anne Marie Bratten (one free) with Jacinta Brady and Cora Kiernan also on target as they stretched their advantage to nine points in first half additional time. But right before the break Clonguish got two points through Oonagh Shanley and Aoife Darcy.
Clonguish started the second half with a real purpose and really should have cut the gap by more but they hit a number of wides during a dominant spell. Una Flynn got their first score of the half in the 31st minute from a free but down the other end Edel Quinn got a point for Killoe to restore their seven point advantage.
There was just four between the sides in the 43rd minute when the nifty Aoife Darcy scored a great goal. It gave Clonguish a lift and made a real game of it although Killoe responded with a point from Jacinta Brady.
Clonguish continued to press forward and in the 49th minute Darcy was on the scoresheet again. The corner-forward twisted and turned before slotting over a lovely point and then three minutes later it could have been a one point game when Marie Brady burst through but her shot just went wide of the post. It was unfortunate for Clonguish and a real let-off for Killoe.
Clonguish had other chances after that but just couldn’t put any more scores on the board. Killoe were also guilty of missing scoring chances but in a great spell right before the end they showed just why they have dominated ladies football in the county for the past few years.
Two points from Anne Marie Bratten (one free) put six between the sides in the 60th minute and then Elizabeth Brady capped off a terrific performance in the 62nd minute when she found the back of the net for Killoe’s second goal and she followed that up with a point to give her side a comprehensive 10 point advantage at the final whistle.
KILLOE: Louise Clarke; Fiona Toher, Kathryn Lynch, Martha O’Reilly; Sharon Treacy, Niamh Devaney, Orlaith Doherty; Elizabeth Brady (1-2), Jacinta Brady (0-2); Fiona Fox, Edel Quinn (0-1), Cora Kiernan (0-1); Sabrina Hackett (1-1), Anna McDonnell (0-1), Anne Marie Bratten (0-6, three frees).
CLONGUISH: Shannon Woods; Oonagh McGowan, Mairead Moore, Caitriona Moore; Sinead Macken, Marie Brady, Yvonne Barden; Cliona McGowan, Ailbhe McGowan; Alice Magan, Anne Burke, Laura Healy; Aoife Darcy (2-2, one goal from penalty), Una Flynn (0-1, free), Oonagh Shanley (0-1).
Sub:- Siobhan McGowan for O McGowan (28 mins).
Referee: Patrick Maguire (Granard St. Mary’s).
