Strong starts for Southern Gaels and Rathmore in Ladies County SFC

THE Ladies County Club Championships kicked off last Monday night with some cracking games in all grades. With an early league format before the knock-out stages, it means that all the players will get a decent amount of games.

COUNTY SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Southern Gaels 5-27 Beaufort 2-8

A STRONG Southern Gaels sent out a real warning to any challengers with a devastating display in Beaufort. Rachel Dwyer (2), Megan O’Connell (2) and Ellie O’Connell set the tone early on. Hannah O’Donoghue (f) opened Beaufort’s account, herself and Fiadhna Tangney shared five points between them They, Tara Breen, and defenders Maura O’Sullivan and Mary Ann Doherty were the pick of Beaufort.

Southern Gaels had the best player on the pitch in Siofra O’Shea, who ended up with a whopping tally of 3-7. Rachel Dwyer finished with 1-5, Ava Murphy had 1-1, Megan O’Connell 0-4, Shannon O’Donnell 0-3, Nicola O’Sullivan 0-2, and Anna Galvin (a real leader all through) and Aoife Dwyer completed Southern Gaels scoring. Fiadhna Tangney had 1-4 for Beaufort, Amy Foley had 1-1, and Hannah O’Donoghue contributed 0-3.

Rathmore 1-17 Na Gaeil 2-6

MEGAN O’Connor got Na Gaeil off to a good start with the 1st point of the game which was quickly replied by a point by Rathmore. Scores were shared by both teams before Rathmore scored a goal on 11 minutes to leave the score 1-5 to 0-5 at the water break. Na Gaeil came back with goals from Jadyn Lucey and Megan O Connor. With a half time score of 1-10 to 2-6 to Rathmore after a very close first half.

Na Gaeil got off to a bad start for the second half with a yellow leaving them with 14 players. Rathmore took full advantage scoring five unanswered points. Na Gaeil started to get back into the game and held good possession but good defending from

Rathmore, especially the outstanding Aislinn Desmond, held Na Gaeil’s last attacks out for the win.

COUNTY INTERMEDIATE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Kilcummin 2-15 Inbhearr Sceine Gaels 2-8

IT was a good quality start to the Intermediate Championship in Kilcummin where the recently promoted Junior County Champions hosted a talented Inbhearr Sceine Gaels. Kilcummin just about had the majority of possession in the first half but failed to convert too many chances. At the interval Kilcummin led by a single point, 0-8 to 1-4.

Kilcummin were more accurate in the second half but Inbhearr Sceine stayed in touch with them all the way until goals by Olwyn Evans and Deborah Murphy proved decisive. The Kenmare side pressed hard in the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert enough scores to close the gap.

Finuge/St Senans 2-16 Corca Dhuibhne 1-1

THE opening half saw the teams exchange points for the opening 20 minutes, before the home team managed to open a 2 point lead. A quick fire goal and point extended this lead to six approaching the break, but Corca Dhuibhne steadied the ship with a couple of scores to leave a gap of 0-4 at the break; Finuge/St Senans 1-9 Corca Dhuibhne 0-8.

The visitors opened the scoring in the second half with an early point. The home side, however, responded and over the next fifteen minutes managed to open a six point lead. A well taken Corca Dhuibhne penalty reduced the gap to three with 12 minutes remaining. The home team dug deep and a well worked Miriam O’Keeffe goal saw the lead again extended to six.

Corca Dhuibhne kept battling and created a number of half chances but couldn’t get the goal they needed, a couple of late points reducing the gap to four at the final whistle.

Austin Stacks 4-17 Scartaglin 6-13

THIS was a whirlwind right from start to finish. A young Scartaglin had the three Dunlea sisters in top form, with Denise and Aoife outstanding in midfield and Amy scoring 1-1 in the forward line.

Catherine O’Connor and Katie Sugruer shone in defence, while Jane Lawlor excelled in attack. They got absolutely nothing easy in front of a big and enthused crowd, though, with the evergreen Marina Barry and roving full forward Emma Ryan standing out for the black and amber. In the end Scartaglin managed to win a fascinating shootout.

Castleisland Desmonds 5-14 Spa 1-10

CASTLEISLAND Desmonds made a better start but Spa’s Saoirse Kelly won a penalty well converted by Niamh Kearney, whose accuracy was posing real problems for the visitors. However, Lorraine Scanlon and Cáit Lynch were giving Desmonds control in midfield, with Scanlon and Eda Mangan kicking some great scores.

Julianne Twomey cut in for a fantastic goal and added another one towards the end of the first half. A minute later Paris McCarthy sliced through the defence to make it 3-9 to 1-4 at half-time, a real hammer blow for Spa.

Spa never really recovered, with Ruth Cahill and Paris again adding further goals to Desmonds’ tally as they ran out comfortable winners. Paris McCarthy had 2-2, Julianne Twomey had 2-0, Ruth Cahill had 1-1, Lorraine Scanlon 0-6, 3f, Niamh Walsh 0-4, 2f, and Cáit Lynch and Gemma Kearney 0-1 each. For Spa Niamh Kearney had 1-5, 1-4f, Lynn Jones had 0-4, and Liadh Tobin 0-1.

COUNTYJUNIORA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

John Mitchels 0-8 Laune Rangers 2-13 Clounmacon/Moyvane 3-10 Legion 4-14 Listowel Emmets 2-3 MKL Gaels 4-19

COUNTYJUNIORB CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Currow 3-9 Dingle 2-9 Fossa 2-11 Cromane 4-11

COUNTYJUNIORC CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Ballymac 2-12 Rathmore B 0-6 Beale/Ballyduff 0-2 Annascaul/Castlegregory 4-16