Finuge/St Senans and Rathmore in Munster ladies football action

MUNSTER LADIES JUNIOR FINAL Finuge/St Senans v Aghada

Saturday, October 21 Mallow at 12.30

WHEN Finuge/St Senans manager Johnny Horgan brought his squad back for pre-season training last January, little did he think that 10 months later he would be preparing them for a Munster Junior final. Horgan admits that the height of their ambition was to win the Kerry county title and that thoughts of Munster glory was the farthest thing away from their minds. Now they are just 60 minutes away from claiming the Munster championship, but they will be faced with the tough task of lowering the colours of Cork kingpins Aghada, in what is bound to be a stern test of their credentials in Mallow next Saturday.

Finuge/St Senans claimed the Kerry Junior championship after an impressive three-point victory over Kilcummin in early September. Although behind by 6 points at half time, they showed resilience and maturity to completely dominate the second half and emerge as champions. In the Munster championship, an early goal against Na Deise of Waterford settled the nerves and gave them the impetus to defeat them on a 4-12 to 1-12 scoreline. Next up were St Bridgets of Limerick and they were firmly put to the sword last Sunday, with Finuge/St Senans winning on a 5-13 to 1-10 scoreline.

Horgan was particularly happy with the start that his side made that day, and also with the way that they stood up to some intense St Bridgets pressure in the second half.

“We got a great start with three goals in the first eight minutes and really that set us on our way. I mean they scored 7 times in the first half and we scored eight times, but thankfully four of those scores were goals. They had a right go at us in the second half and when Niamh Carmody got sin binned it could have been a very tough loss for us. Thankfully the girls dug deep and we actually scored three points in that 10 minutes while Niamh was in the bin, The girls stood up when we needed them most.”

Any team that wins a Cork championship comes with a strong pedigree, and Aghada are no different. After a comprehensive 4-14 to 1-5 victory over Naomh Aban in the Cork Junior Championship final,they got a bye to the Munster semi final where they faced Fethard of Tipperary. Aghada once again posted an impressive 4-14 that day as they hammered the premier champions by 17 points. Johnny Horgan was impressed with what he saw.”They have some fine players. Emma Farmer,Roisin Phelan and Hannah Looney are Cork seniors and Sarah Leahy was very impressive for the Cork minors this year. They will all have to be watched. Still though we have prepared well and I think that we have the players to cause a surprise next Saturday”.

The Finuge/St Senans players that Horgan is referring to are the likes of Kerry senior panelists Miriam O’Keeffe and Niamh Carmody, Ann Marie Leen, Emma McCarthy, and Kerry camogie stars Patrice Diggins and Jackie Horgan while Niamh Leen, Sara Murphy and Aoife Behanhave had excellent campaigns so far. They are all top performers on their day and certainly have the potential to guide their side to glory, If Finuge /St Senans can get off to a good start once again then they are well capable of bringing the Munster Junior Championship cup to North Kerry. It will be tough though, and holding Emma Farmer, in particular, will be vital to their chances. Finuge/St Senans need to bring all of their fighting spirit and never say die attitude to Mallow next Saturday, They get a hesitant vote to succeed, but don’t be surprised if it’s after extra-time.

MUNSTER SENIOR PLATE FINAL Rathmore v Comeragh Saturday, October 21 Mallow at 4pm

RATHMORE will face Comeragh of Waterford in the Munster Plate final on Saturday in Malow at 4pm. Comeragh created a mild shock when they defeated Eire Og of Cork 2-13 to 1-4 in the semi-final and they will certainly provide stiff competition for the East Kerry girls.

Rathmore will come into the final slightly under the radar but this won’t deter the Kerry Senior B champions as they aim to bring the prize over the Kerry border. Kerry senior champions in 2015, Rathmore will be looking to All Star nominee Aislinn Desmond for inspiration with able back up sure to be provided by current Kerry senior panelists Sarah Murphy, Laoise Coughlan along with Norma and Katie O’Mahony, and in form full forward Noreen Murphy.

Rathmore enjoyed a comprehensive 4-21 to 1-8 victory over Kilmihil of Clare in the semi-final but know that a much sterner task awaits them in the final. Manager Tim Sheehan is under no illusions about the difficult task that his side faces having watched at first hand Comeragh’s demolition of Eire Og.

“I went to watch them last Saturday and they are one of the fittest teams that I have seen. The Murray triplets are outstanding and we will have to watch them closely. It’s a first Munster final or us at senior level so it’s a big day for us. We are largely a young team and will be up against it but hopefully we can perform on he day.”

Sheehan can report a clean bill of health for Saturday although wing back Norma O’Mahony is a slight injury concern with an ankle injury that she picked up in a recent challenge game against the Kerry minor team. Whilst the task will be difficult for Rathmore, there is no doubt that they will need to have all of their big guns firing if they are to pull off a famous victory and their first Munster title at senior level.

Kerry Ladies Football Award night

THE Kerry Ladies Annual Awards take place in the Rose Hotel, Tralee on Saturday October 28 when a number of awards given out and every club that has won county league and championship titles will receive their medals. There will also be player of the match awards for the outstanding player in the Junior A, Intermediate and Senior Championship finals.

The County senior ladies team will be presented with their Munster Championship medals while the Kerry U-14 team will be presented with their Munster and All Ireland runners up medals.

The Kerry LGFA Club of the Year will also be announced.

There will also be a very special Lifetime Achievement Award presented to someone who has made a hugely significant contribution to Kerry Ladies Football.

Proceedings start at 8pm and there will be a fabulous 4-course meal served. Andrew Morrissey of Radio Kerry will emcee the night. Tickets at €25 are available from Joe O’Flaherty 0861659500 and Lavinia Cunningham 0879736125 or from any county officer.