Shelmalier retain the Minor Crown at the expense of St. James.

Shelmalier retain the Minor Crown at the expense of St. James.

Wexford Park was the place to be on Saturday last where the Ladies Football minor County Title was up for decision. With perfect conditions for the game Shelmalier were aiming to retain the title that they won last year by beating St. James in the final while St. James were out for revenge and hoping to reverse the tables this year.

From the throw in Shauna Murphy picked up St. James danger lady Sonja Murphy with Eleanor Neville taking up the centre back position. A switch that worked in favour for the over the water girls.

Shelmalier were first to open the scoring with a fine point from Rachel O’Brien after 3 mins followed by point from Siobhan Cloake after 7 mins. St James opened there scoring with a point from wing forward Sarah O’Brien.  It was a low scoring first half but that must be accredited to the hard working defences on both sides. Shelmalier were guilty of overplaying the ball on occasions and losing possession.  Aine Lacey replaced Michelle Harding mid way through the first half.    Rachel O’ Brien scored another fine point after some good interplay work with Caroline Curran, Kelly Ann Kearney and the hard working Jean Devoy.  St. James had the final say of the half when Sonja Murphy finished of a good move involving Cait Hayes , Maebh Kehoe and Eimear Murphy  to leave the half time score Shelmalier 3 points St. James 2 points.

Shelmalier opened the second half in blistering form when Captain Caroline Curran palmed the ball into the net after a good delivery into the danger area. Ellie Carley switched out to the 40 won possession and slotted over a fine individual effort . Curran and Carley raised the white flag again to leave the score 1-6 to 2 points. St James up the tempo  with the half back line in particular driving forward to support the mid fielders and forwards . Shelmalier defence worked hard to soak up the pressure with Kelly Ann Kearney sweeping behind the half back line. Brid Kehoe slotted over a fine Point with Sonja Murphy picking of another in quick succession. Carley replied for the shels after good support play from Jean Devoy and Clara Donnelly.  This surprisingly enough was to be the last Score for Shelmalier. St. James Moved full Back Brid Doyle into mid Field to help the St James cause. St. James had some goal mouth chances snuffed out by the alert Keeper Charlotte McCormack. St. James pressure was finally rewarded when they were awarded a penalty. Brid Doyle stood up to the mark and coolly put the ball into the Shelmalier net with a well taken Penalty leaving 3 points between them. At this stage Shelmalier introduced Megan Smith into mid field for Kelly Ann Kearney who had been sick all week, the last score of the game a point fell to St. James Mid fielder Kelly Ann Mullins to leave 2 between them with 6 mins remaining on the clock. St James had several attempts on the Shelmalier goal but on this occasion they couldn’t penetrate through and Shelmalier held out for a deserving victory 1- 7 to 1-5.

 

For Shelmalier the defence as a unit worked extremely well with Andrea Furlong, Shauna Murphy and Eleanor Neville getting in some crucial blocks. Adele Campbell, Sarah Lacey and Ciara Donohoe made some timely interceptions. Midfielder Clara Donnelly covered a multitude of ground racing back to help out the defence and interlinking play with the forwards. Up front Jean Devoy worked tirelessly on the wing with Carley, Cloake, O’Brien, Aine Leacy and Curran all contributing.

St. James defence wasn’t found wanting with Cait Hayes, Emily Doyle and Brid Doyle making it difficult for the Shelmalier forwards to make inroads towards the St. James goal. Shauna Barden, Grainne Kennedy ,and Caroline O’Grady worked hard mid field pairing of Meabh Kehoe and Kelly Ann Mullins came in and out of the game  while up front Brid Kehoe, Sarah O Brien, Patrice Foley and Sonja Murphy tried hard.

Shelmalier : Charlotte Mc Corrmack , Sarah Lacey, Ciara Donohoe, Andrea Furlong, Adele Campbell, Shauna Murphy, Eleanor Neville, Clara Donnelly, Kelly Ann Kearney, Rachel O’Brien, Siobhan Cloake, Jean Devoy, Michelle Harding, Caroline Curran (Captain), Ellie Carley. Subs : Katie Duggan, Megan Smith, Ciara Neville, Aine Lacey, Hannah Duggan, Gemma Mc Cabe, Ciara Corrigan, Geraldine Doolan, Niamh Doyle, Katie Lillis, Ciara Roche, Ali Murphy, Roisin Tobin, Lil Roche

Team Management : Margaret O’Brien, Margaret Doherty,                                                                                                                

 Selectors: Wayne Duggan, Billy Donnelly, Andrew Furlong  . Trainer Benny Mc Cabe

 

St. James : Laura Kelly, Shauna Barden, Brid Doyle, Grainne Kennedy, Cait Hayes, Emily Doyle, Caroline O’Grady, Kellie Ann Mullins, Meabh Kehoe, Sonja Murphy, Eimear Murphy, Sarah O’Brien, Brid Kehoe, Patrice Foley, Marie Whitty, Emma Dwyer , Emer Wallace, Rebecca Murphy, Sheena Murphy, Siobhan Ryan, Chloe O Hanlon, Claire Barry, Sarah Kelly.

Team Management : Bobby Murphy Shirley Doyle.