Annaghdown Ladies Gaelic Football Make History.

Massive CONGRATULATIONS to Annaghdown Senior Ladies, their Management (Tom Murphy, Richard McNicholas, Fiona Wynne and Claire Burke), and to their sponsor Clarkes Tavern who who created history within the club  in  capturing  the Connacht Intermediate Championship title in Clonberne on Sunday last when the defeated Padraig Pearses of Roscommon.

On a beautiful crisp day the Intermediate Connacht Club Final saw, Padraig Pearses open the scoring in the first minute with a point from Shauna Finnerty, It took the 5th minute for Annaghdown to settle when Rachel King opened her account of 1-1 this was followed with a point each from Nikki Burke and  converted free from Gráinne Barrett.

Points from Nicola Comer, Nikki Burke and Rachel King saw Annaghdown 1-4 up by the 21st minute.

Padraig Pearses responded with Jennifer Downey and Áine Ryan raising the white flag to narrow the gap but this was short lived when Gráinne Barrett found the back of the net in the 28th minute.

Padraig Pearses retaliated  immediatedy with a point from Tara Dnnellan but it was Annaghdown that finished the half the stronger with an added goal from  Erin Coyle and a point from Gráinne Barrett, bringing the half time score Annaghdown 3-7 Padraig Pearses 0-5.

Annaghdown received a boost in the opening minutes of the second half when Padraig Pearses Shauna Finnerty received a yellow card for a high challenge on Jemma Burke.

Annaghdown failed make their numerical advantage count during this period as Padraig Pearses scored 1-2 to Annaghdown’s two points from Gráinne Barrett and Niamh Duggan within the ten minutes.

Padraig Pearses continued the attack when they pointed in the 14th minute but as Annaghdown applied pressure on the opposition, it paid off  when Gráinne Barrett intercepted a hand pass and fed the ball to Rachel King who rattled the back of the net in the midway point of the half.

Although possession was evenly distributed by both sides in the final quarter of the game, Annaghdown failed to register any scores while Padraig Pearses capitalised with an additional 1-2.  But this was not enough to diminish the hard work Annaghdown delivered in the first half to bring the final score Annaghdown 4-09  Padraig Pearses 2-10.

Congratulations to Bronagh Quinn who was the worthy recipient of the Player of the Match award.

Annaghdown Team

Mary Kate Killilea(joint captain) Jemma Burke, Bronagh Quinn, Fiona Wynne, Chelsie Crowe, Chloe Crowe, Theresa Fahy, Erin Coyle(1-0), Nikki Burke(0-2), Niamh Duggan(captain 0-1), Gráinne Barrett(1-3 2f), Aoife Scully, Nicola Comer(0-1), Rachel King(2-2), Emma Keane.

Subs Regina Naughton for Fiona Wynne, Ciara McCarthy for Emma Keane, Kelsey Forde for Aoife Scully, Julie Flaherty for Nicola Comer and Martina Canavan for Jemma Burke.

Rest of the Panel :.Claire Burke, Allie Burke, Lillian Donoghue, Aisling Kineen, Aisling Meehan, Emma Glynn, Rachel O Neill, Rachel Barrett, Ginalee Healy and Lorna Cunningham.

Thank you to the following, the large number of supporters who traveled to witness history being made within the club, to all who came out to cheer on and lit bonfires for the Connacht Champions homecoming, to their sponsor Clarkes Tavern for providing after match refreshments, and to Des Glynn for providing match photography.

Annaghdown are now due to play the winners of the Munster Intermediate Club Championship between Ballylanders (Limerick) and Abbyside (Waterford) in the All-Ireland Semi Final on Sunday, 20th November. Opponents, venue and time to be confirmed. Save The Date!!

Congratulations to the following members of our Senior Ladies panel who have been selected for the Claregalway Hotel Intermediate Dream Team 2016. 

1.Mary Kate Killilea,

2.Jemma Burke,

3.Bronagh Quinn,

6.Chloe Crowe,

9.Niamh Duggan

11.Gráinne Barrett

15.Nikki Burke. 

The Ladies will receive their awards at a function in the Claregalway Hotel on Friday, 25th November 2016.