Adult League Division 2 Final

Western Gaels 3-13 Eire Og 3-8

Western Gaels someway made up for defeat in last year's Intermediate county final by winning the Division 2 League Final played in ideal conditions in Ballyhaunis on Sunday. Yet again Eire Og were left pondering another final defeat but in this case they fought bravely throughout despite playing with only 14 players for the majority of the contest. Western Gaels started at a blistering pace with full forward Martina Freyne central to proceedings. In the fourth minute Aoife Higgins set up Martina Freyne for a goal. Martina added a point from a free a minute later after mid-fielder Jenny Higgins was fouled. Then Martina Freyne broke clear of the Eire Og defence in the 8th minute and was taken down by goalkeeper Allanah Quinn in the large parallelogram for a penalty. Referee Liam Walsh deemed the foul serious enough to warrant a red card and full back Rebecca Madden faced up to Martina Freyne as she stood over the penalty. Despite Rebecca getting her hand to the shot, the force took it into net and left Eire Og with a mountain to climb. Rachel Madden went in goal for the rest of the match, and Rebecca Finan got Eire Og off the mark with a point after good work from full-forward Anne-Marie Scally. She added a second point in the 13th minute but at this stage Eire Og wasted several frees which perhaps would have gave them momentum. Two points from Lisa Flynn and Danica Lavin got the Frenchpark girls back on track before the Duracell like Elaine Murren goaled in the 22nd minute. The goal came from a superb pass out in the left wing from Martina Freyne and Elaine went past the ‘keeper to tap home.  Centre-forward for Eire Og Emma Hannon pointed in the 24th minute after good work from Niamh Ward before Kylie Roddy set up the youthful Rebecca Finan for her third point. Western Gaels Liah Lavin added two points from play, while in the 28th minute Kylie Roddy and Emma Hannon worked a quick free so that the former got space to point from the right wing and thereby reduce the deficit before the break.

Half-time score:  Western Gaels 3-5 Eire Og 0-5

On the resumption county mid-fielder Jenny Higgins curled over a brilliant point from the right wing after a quick free from Martina Freyne, who herself added two sublime points by the 5th minute, both when cutting in from the right wing and curling over with her left foot. But the hard working Anne-Marie Scally grabbed a goal for Eire Og after a sweeping move involving Kylie Roddy and Maeveen Greene. Sarah Morahan then pulled off a fine save in the Western Gaels goal to deny Maeveen Greene before Western Gaels broke up-field and substitute Karin Roddy picked out Danica Lavin who cleverly hand-passed over the bar. A foul on Karin Roddy resulted in another Martina Freyne point. Despite the numerical disadvantage Eire Og really started taking the game to their opponents lead by Rebecca Madden, Denise and Niamh Ward. The latter goaled after being set up by Maeveen Greene in the 15th minute and two minutes later Niamh pointed after good work from Rebecca Madden and Kylie Roddy.  Two points from Elaine Murren (the first set up by Martina Freyne after an "Owen Mulligan" style run) kept distance between the sides before Niamh Ward scored another point as the game entered the final 5 minutes. A Niamh Ward shot was narrowly wide of the post but she made amends with a goal a few minutes later getting on to the end of move involving Kylie Roddy and Emma Hannon. A foul on Kylie Roddy gave Niamh Ward a chance to leave four points between the sides which she duly did. But then Jenny Higgins fielded the resultant kick-out on the left and delivered a long pass into the same corner to Martina Freyne who coolly curled over the bar with her right foot to an end any hopes of a gallant Eire Og comeback. The losers were served well by Rebecca Madden and Denise Ward in defence, Kylie Roddy and Niamh Ward had their moments in midfield, while Emma Hannon, Anne-Marie Scally and Rebecca Finan showed well up front. Western Gaels worked very hard as a defence with Sharon Bruen catching the eye. Jennifer Higgins displayed her ability throughout while all the forwards combined well with Martina Freyne showing her class and the Lavin sisters working really hard. But the player who most epitomised the Western Gaels spirit and footballing ability was the outstanding Elaine Murren who covered every blade of artificial grass in Ballyhaunis on Sunday.

Afterwards, Western Gaels captain Grainne Freyne the Division 2 Shield by Roscommon Ladies Secretary Marie McAleer.

Western Gaels: Sarah Morahan, Sharon Bruen, Eimear O'Callaghan, Laura Bruen, Deirdre McDermott, Grainne Freyne, Michelle Freyne, Elaine Murren 1-2, Jennifer Higgins 0-1, Liah Lavin 0-2, Niamh Cregg, Lisa Flynn 0-1, Aoife Higgins, Martina Freyne2-5(1pen,2f), Danica Lavin 0-2. Subs: Sorcha Dowd, Anita Bruen, Ciara Hestor, Louise Regan, Aoife O'Callaghan, Karin Roddy, Catherine Moran, Danielle Madden, Jennifer Murren, Amy Higgins, Aisling Bruen, Emma Monaghan, Crystal Beirne, Siobhan Greevy, Aimee Kelly, Niamh Cafferky, Sonia Waldron, Aoibheann Durkan.

Eire Og: Allanah Quinn, Rachel Madden, Rebecca Madden, Katie Barrett, Ruth Madden, Denise Ward, Serena Bergin, Kylie Roddy 0-1, Niamh Ward 2-3(1f), Orla Madden, Emma Hannon 0-1, Sinead Groarke, Rebecca Finan 0-3, Anne-Marie Scally 1-0, Maeveen Greene. Subs: Vicky Kelly, Sandra McNulty, Claire Corrigan, Niamh Flannery, Amy Flannery, Sinead Ward, Caitriona Dockery, Caroline Morley, Emer Dooney, Paula Lavin.