Ladies Club Report - 2015-10-03 11:19:00
Senior Ladies..
Credit must go to the players this year but also to the many players, selectors and coaches who have overseen a meteoric rise in the club from Junior B is 2009 to Senior B Champions in 2015.
Following the heartbreak defeat to Donoughmore in the final 12 months ago the Rovers were determined to make amends this year. Having defeated Eire Óg in June in the round robin series on a scoreline of 3-18 to 3-13, a close and hard fought game was expected and so it transpired.
The Rovers had the first score on the board with a point from Grace Kearney in the opening minute. Eimear Scally pointed a free a minute later and from the next play Eimear scored a great goal despite Rovers keeper Caitriona Vaughan getting a hand to her shot. In the fifth minute Grace Culloty got Rovers second point after reacting quickest to a shot from Eleanor Ahern that had come back off the upright.
Then Eire Óg hit a purple patch scoring five points without reply from the Rovers, their points coming from Maria Keane (2), Eimear Scally (2) and Aoife Scally. The Rovers back were under a lot of pressure at this stage but rallied in true form. First a point from Jennifer Cahill was followed up by a penalty miss by Grace Culloty but she made amends a minute later with a great goal.
A Grace Culloty point for the Rovers in between 2 points from Eimear Scally had the score at 1-08 to 1-04 in favour of Eire Óg. Then came the turning point of the game. Eimear Scally was fouled in the square and Eire Óg were duly awarded a penalty. Up stepped Eimear Scally and her well struck penalty was fantastically saved by Caitriona Vaughan in the Rovers goal, dividing to her right to parry the ball out for a 45. Eire Óg’s attempt to take a quick 45 was intercepted by Grace Kearney who took off towards the Eire Óg goal, she passed into Elaine Dee who was dragged to the ground by Emma O Brien in the Eire Óg goal...Penalty to the Rovers. Despite missing an earlier penalty up stepped Grace Culloty to slot home the penalty...only a point in the game now.
Amazingly there was 44 minutes played in the first half due to several injuries. As the Rovers trooped off at half time the Rovers supporters in the packed stand at Mayfield gave them a thunderous cheer which was inspiring.
There was need for little to say at half time, despite playing below their normal standard the Rovers were only a point down and they knew there was more in them.
Rovers started the second half well and points from Grace Kearney and a Grace Culloty free, the Rovers hit the front for the first time since the opening minute.
Marie O’Leary equalised for Eire Óg but the Rovers stormed into the game scoring 3-02 in the next 10 minutes. First to score a goal was Grace Kearney, who was put through by Jennifer Cahill, who despite a recent leg injury was playing a great game. Grace Kearney added another point before a great move involving Jennifer Barry & Grace Kearney who found Grace Culloty who banged home her third goal of the game. Our next point came from a ball worked down the line by 2 amazing characters, namely Elaine Dee & Arlene O’Callaghan. Arlene picked out Aussie bound Elaine Dee with a pin point pass, Arlene continued her run and received the ball back from Elaine and with the outside of her foot, kicked a superb point over the bar. The Rovers were now in the ascendency, and Elaine Dee grabbed her first goal and the Rovers fifth following great work by Eleanor Ahern.
Our defenders were playing very well too reducing the treat of the Eire Og forwards, especially the talented Eimear Scally who failed to score from play in the second half, who was marked superbly by Laura Quirke. Arlene O’Callaghan & Niamh Barry were confident & composed on the ball, showing their vast experience. Bridgee Forde was cleaning up any lose ball in front of Laura. Mary Hazelwood, Evelyn Collins & Emma O’Keeffe were superb in their defensive duties but also in setting up attacks for our forwards.
With Rovers now 5-09 to 1-12 in front with 15minutes to go, Eire Óg added two points from Eimear Scally (free) & her sister Aoife. Jennifer Barry made a great run from midfield before being pulled down for a free which Grace Culloty converted. Emma Cleary pointed for Eire og before our inspirational captain was harshly sin binned with 10 minutes to go. This had us under pressure despite being up 9 points.Scally scored another free for Eire Óg before a long ball into the square by jennifer Barry broke off Emma Roche to Grace Kearney who scored her second and the Rovers sixth goal. Rovers introduced Katie Kelleher & Michelle Hartnett to add some pace to the forwards and to support the defenders. Pressure from Eire Óg resulted in them scoring 1-03 with reply. With the game deep in injury time Jennifer Barry broke out of defence with the ball & to the tune of the Final Whistle. The Rovers were county champions.
Final Score Bride Rovers 6-10 Eire Óg 2-18
Team & Scorers:
CaitrionaVaughan, Evelyn Collins, Arlene O'Callaghan (0-01), Emma O'Keeffe, Mary Hazelwood, Bridgee Forde, Niamh Barry, Eleanor Ahern, Jennifer Barry, Emma Roche, Grace Kearney (2-03), Jennifer Cahill (0-01), Grace Culloty (3-05), Elaine Dee (1-00), Laura Quirke
Subs Used: Katie Kelleher & Michelle Hartnett
Panel: Madison Parle, Rachel O'Callaghan, Aoife O'Riordan, Maria Barry, Laura Pratt, Katie Connor, Colette Hogan, Elaine Culloty, Meg Kelleher, Imelda Dorgan, Erin O'Keeffe, Catherine Power, Aine Cashman, Trish O'Sullivan, Meeks Carr, Niamh Murphy & Claire Murphy.
The management team of Sarah Denvir & Liam Barry were ably assited by Darren Cody, Shane O Connor, Terry Broderick & Jim O’Donovan.
There were great scenes of celebrations at the final whistle before team captain, Eleanor Ahern collected the cup from Dave Daly. In her speech Eleanor thanked Mayfield GAA, Our fantastic Supporters, our sponsors, the players & management and thanked Eire Óg for a super game. John Arnold gave us a rendition of Bride Rovers Abú with a Ladies Football twist and it was home to Rathcormac to continue the celebrations.
It was a special weekend for many families, Arlene O Callaghan won with the Senior Ladies County while her son Adam scored 3-05 on the way to victory with the U11’s the previous day. Emma Roche bagged a county medal with the Senior Ladies while her brothers Eoin & Brian starred for the U15’s on Saturday.
There was a great atmosphere in the village as the Senior Ladies, U15 Hurlers, U11 boys & U10 girls were paraded through the village. Following some speeches at the school it was back to Barrys Bar for a great night of celebrations.
A special thanks again to our sponsors, SPAR Rathcormac, Barrys Bar, Fermoy Print & Design & Shelly Mac’s Max Fitness for their generous support of the team.
A DVD of the game & celebrations including interviews is available from Liam Barry (087-6893829) for only €10. Order your copy today.
The new Bride Rovers Car Sticker are still on sale in local shops for €2.
Congrats to all the other successful Bride Rovers teams at the weekend.
We are due to play Munster Championship on Sunday v Comeragh Rangers (Waterford). Time & Venue to be confirmed.
We can thank enough our supporters who were our “16th Woman” on Sunday, the cheers at half time & the chanting of “Rovers Rovers “ was inspirational.
Photo: Eleanor Ahern receiving cup from Dave Daly, Cork Ladies Football Board.U10 Football:
Bride Rovers 1-1 Glanmire 1-3
The under 10s lined out on Saturday for their last competitive game of the season to play Glanmire in the final. There was a massive turnout both in terms of players and supporters for what was an extremely enjoyable and competitive game. Both teams were very evenly matched but, unfortunately, it was not to be Bride Rovers’ day and Glanmire won by a two point margin. Thanks to all the players and their parents for their commitment to the team all year, and a tremendous thank you to Pat Barry, Terry Broderick, Irene O’Connell and Eileen Barry for their hard work and dedication. Training will continue on Saturday mornings at 10 o’clock until further notice.
Team: Mai Cosgrove, Aoife McCarthy, Abbie O’Connell, Ava Kiely, Ava Barry, Ruby Broderick, Mollie O’Connell, Sarah Bermingham, Lily Murray (1-1), Sophie Lee, Eimear Harte, Aisling Harte, Sarah Buckley, Francesca Meaney, Roisin Crowley, Rachel Walsh, Nikita Parle, Oonagh Nagle, Emma Collins, Ella Barry, Siun Hickey
Clothes Collection:
First Friday collection of old clothes, shoes and handbags will be taken at the
Community Centre on Friday November 6th from 7.30 to 8.00pm.
Don't forget you can stay in touch day to day with all the latest news
on Twitter, @roversgaa, and on Facebook.
