Tourlestrane runners up in All-Ireland Club Junior final
TOURLESTRANE GLANMIRE 3-11 1-22
A minute’s silence was observed before the start of the match remembering the late Kathleen Walsh, grandmother to five of the Tourlestrane panel and a big supporter of the club over the years.
The game itself turned out to be as entertaining as they come with four goals and many more goal chances it was pulsating right until the end.
Not surprisingly Katie Walsh was a thorn in the Glanmire side throughout the hour and there were 2 Corkwomen trying to mark her, yet the impressive forward managed 1-8 during the course of the afternoon.
The opposing no 14 for Glanmire, Kate Hannon was equally as influential, scoring 0-11.
The game saw excellent scores from both sides and Dave Carey’s Glanmire were the first to break into an early lead, with 4 unanswered points by the 7th minute. Hannon was first to score in the first minute followed by a great point from Ally McCarthy with Hannon adding her second from play before Shauna Murphy supplied their fourth as Tourlestrane needed to settle.
This they did with aplomb once the outstanding Walsh got them off the mark with a well-struck free on 8 minutes, the green and yellow support rising to their feet.
Moments later and Tourlestrane were on the attack again, Gráinne Carty finding Walsh who sent over a brilliant point from play as Tourlestrane clawed back the Glanmire lead.
On 13 minutes, Bailey’s charges went in front with none other than Walsh again. The forward went on a blistering run through the Glanmire defence and slotted past Ava Carey in the Glanmire goal, roars from the Tourlestrane camp as they were a point in front, Walsh punching the air with glee.
Glanmire responded through Sarah O’Brien with Niamh McAllen putting them narrowly in front with 15 minutes on the clock in what was a high-paced, entertaining opening half.
Glanmire went three in front when Hannon (free) and midfielder Abbie O’Mahony added two quick scores by the 18th minute.
Walsh slotted over another from play before Tourlestrane attacked again.
Tara Walsh saw her goal chance expertly saved by Carey in the Glanmire goal in the 21st minute, she also saved a Sarah Cunney attempt before McAllen added her second for the Cork side.
Carey had to stop another Tourlestrane goal chance on 23 minutes, Nikki Brennan, Tara Walsh and Katie Walsh all involved before Walsh added her fourth point.
Glanmire finished the remaining 5 minutes of the half with four unanswered points, three from Hannon (2 frees) and another from McAllen before the outstanding Walsh got the last score (free) of the half for Tourlestrane, all of the Sligo side’s scores coming from the forward as Glanmire led 0-13 to 1-5 at the break.
Tourlestrane started the second half brightly with Carty pointing 21 seconds after the resumption as it was back to a 4 point game.
Tourlestrane had to do without Nikki Brennan as the midfielder was sin binned a minute later. The Sligo side kept marching on however and Cunney found Walsh who pointed from play on 34 minutes as 3 separated them.
Glanmire again responded almost straight away through the brilliant Hannon and she added the next 3 scores two from play as there were six points between them with 20 minutes to go.
Leonie Gaughan, who was just on the field, had an immediate impact and was involved in the next Tourlestrane score with Tara Walsh, Carty and then Cunney scoring to leave 5 between them on 45 minutes.
Glanmire edged more in front with points from Hannon and McAllen (2) as they led by 0-19 to 1-8 with nine minutes remaining.
Another Walsh free put between them on 52 minutes.
The game became even more exciting from a Tourlestrane perspective on 55 minutes.
Tara Walsh linked up with Brennan who used her speed to fly through the Glanmire defence, finding Cunney who shot to the back of the net.
Four points again separating them with a heart-stopping five minutes of time left.
Glanmire again responded through McAllen (2) and a Hannon free as they extended their lead once more.
The Cork side saw corner back Rachel Kelleher sin binned as to their credit Tourlestrane never gave up, adding points from Walsh and Cunney as the game entered injury time.
McAllen did find the net for Glanmire as moments later down the other end, Walsh fed substitute Molly Kennedy who blasted to the back of the net before referee Barry Redmond signalled the end of what was a fantastic display of football.
Tourlestrane’s year drew to a close but what a remarkable one it has been and one to leave a lasting legacy for years to come.
TOURLESTRANE: C Walsh, S Brennan, L Walsh, S Mooney, E Meers, S Henry (C), C Marren, A Egan, N Brennan, A Corcoran, G Carty, T Walsh, S Cunney, K Walsh, L Surlis. Subs used: M Kennedy for Meers (36), L Gaughan for Surlis (44), C Brennan for Mooney (62).
Scorers (Tourlestrane); K Walsh (1-8, 3f), S Cunney (1-2), G Carty (0-1), M Kennedy (1-0).
GLANMIRE: A Carey, R Kelleher, A McNamara, A Turpin (C), A McCarthy, E Baker, L Cashman, E Twomey, A O Murphy, S Murphy, N McAlle Subs used: C Murphy for S M for A McCarthy (44).
Scorers (Glanmire); K McAllen (1-7), A McCarthy S O’Brien (0-1), A O’Maho
REFEREE: B Redmond (