Powerful Naomh Ciarán regain Senior crown against Tullamore

Sunday evening brought ideal conditions for a final as Tullamore and Naomh Ciarán faced off for a replay of last year’s final in Bretland Park, Clara. Tullamore were hoping to topple Naomh Ciarán’s dominance of recent years and reclaim the county title after a year in West Offaly. This was not to be however as Naomh Ciarán proved their worth with a second Championship victory in a row against their rivals.

Offaly Ladies Football Senior Championship final

Naomh Ciarán 4-12

Tullamore 1-06

Despite what  the scoreline suggests Tullamore started well against the favourites. The Blues got us underway with a lovely score from Maebh Coleman in corner forward. Early doors, Tullamore protected the ball well and it was far from going all Naomh Ciarán’s way.

A Kate Kenny pointed free was followed by a Sarah Fitzgerald point after a faulty Tullamore kickout, hinting at a possible Achilles heel. Naomh Ciarán identified this and made life really difficult by pressing up on Tullamore’s kickouts. The title challengers lived dangerously at times trying to play out as each kick from Kelley Cunningham was aggressively fought.

After fifteen minutes, the holders were a point to the good at 0-3 to 0-2, Kate Kenny, Ellee McEvoy and Amy Gavin Mangan providing plenty for Tullamore to think about in defence. Their pace and power caused all sorts of problems, particularly with sharp counter attacks.

Tullamore were industrious and despite the pacy opposition moved the ball well through the hands. Regular performers, Annie Kehoe and Becky Bryant drove their side up the field. Out wide, Eimear Hackett also provided an injection of pace going forward when needed.

In the first half the game looked considerably different from last year’s final where Naomh Ciarán had killed the game early on. This time round things seemed more competitive, Tullamore forcing Naomh Ciarán to kick a number of unnecessary wides. Responsible for much of this, Aideen Harte showed grit in defence and managed to nip some promising Naomh Ciarán play in the bud.

That said, a cutting counter saw the ever-present Kate Kenny close in on goal. What appeared to be a good block by Tullamore’s Becky Bryant was deemed to be a push in the back, with the referee pointing to the spot. This could have gone either way. When Roisín Cockram coolly slotted it into the bottom left-hand corner, it left Tullamore more of a hill to climb.

This was compounded almost immediately by a second goal from Cockram. An unsuccessful Tullamore kickout caught themselves out at the back. Kenny found it and her ball under the crossbar was then tapped in by the Naomh Ciarán number fourteen. Cockram had to be brave to get onto the end of this one. At 2-3 to 0-2 twenty-five minutes in, it did not look good for Tullamore. Suddenly, the hill looked more like a mountain.

Some better, more patient play from Tullamore led to two more converted frees from the quality Laura O’Sullivan and Naomh Ciarán went in at the break 2-04 to 0-05 up. Ellee McEvoy and Amy Gavin Mangan were superb for Naomh Ciarán. The pair rarely made errors and kept the Naomh Ciarán machine ticking with punching runs at Tullamore’s defence. Emma Cahill and Sarah Fitzgerald also performed well, completing a stacked forward-line.

A third goal, at the end of a direct run from Amy Gavin Mangan made almost certain of the victory. Then Tullamore gathered themselves and for a time resisted a Naomh Ciarán onslaught, Orla Gorman getting on the end of a snappy move for a net-buster. Meabh Coleman was very unselfish, with the Naomh Ciarán defence caught napping, she gathered the ball around the D and instead of shooting herself passed to the onrushing Gorman who duly dispatched a rallying goal for her side.

Tullamore kept looking for a breakthrough but Naomh Ciarán were well organised at the back and the lack of penetration past their back six kept scores at a premium. The comeback was not to be however as impactful substitute Kaitlyn Rigney nabbed a goal and point in quick succession to seal what was a comfortable win in the end, 4-12 to 1-06. Naomh Ciarán were well worth their win, regaining the crown they had taken back from Tullamore last year.

In Tullamore, Naomh Ciarán have an honourable rival who have great promise going forward. The young Maebh Rouse showed that her physicality and industry around the middle can be of great use at senior level. Similarly, Sarah Kehoe had an impressive display for Tullamore in centre forward.

As far as Naomh Ciarán are concerned this win adds another to an already impressive decade. Their dominance remains largely unquestioned, proving to have quality all over the pitch and with a fast attack that doesn’t fear kick passing into dangerous areas, will be a fearsome opponent for any side.

MATCH ANALYSIS

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Amy Gavin Mangan (Naomh Ciarán) – Gavin Mangan showed real class on the ball. Adding a goal and a point to her team’s tally was the cherry on top of a fine performance at right-half forward. Every time Gavin Mangan got her hand on the ball she tore up the field with breathless pace. Ellee McEvoy and Kate Kenny were also outstanding but Gavin Mangan pips both as she was a menace running at the Tullamore defence and clinical in front of the posts. She also used the ball very well, picking the simple option when required in trickier situations.

THE TEAMS

Tullamore: Kelley Cunningham, Aideen Harte, Becky Bryant, Abbie Harte, Eimear Hackett, Annie Kehoe, Sorcha Coleman, Aoife Bourke, Maebh Rouse, Chloe Harte, Orla Gorman, Sarah Kehoe, Lisa Gorman, Maebh Coleman, Laura O’Sullivan. Subs – Katie Kehoe for A. Harte (37m), Áine Phelan for Bourke (48m), Aislin Fox for C. Harte (48m) and Ayesha Brazil for O’Sullivan (52m).

Naomh Ciarán: Emma Bracken, Ella Hogan, Moya Ibbotson, Avril Spain, Nicole Buckley, Emer Nally, Anna Grehan, Emma Maher, Lorraine Keena, Ellee McEvoy, Kate Kenny, Amy Gavin Mangan, Sarah Fitzerald, Róisín Cockram, Emma Cahill. Subs – Roisín Ennis for Spain (HT), Kaitlyn Rigney for Fitzgerald (47m), Lauren Kelly for Cahill (50m), Áine Maher for Nally (64m) and Mollie Flynn for Grehan (65m).

Referee: Eoghan O’Neill

THE SCORERS

Naomh Ciarán: Kate Kenny 0-8 (4f), Roisín Cockram 2-0 (1 pen), Amy Gavin Mangan and Kaitlyn Rigney 1-1 each, Sarah Fitzgerald 0-2.

Tullamore: Laura O’Sullivan 0-04 (4f), Orla Gorman 1-0, Maebh Coleman and Lisa Gorman 0-1 each.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Roisín Cockram’s second goal really knocked the stuffing out of Tullamore. As the Blues gathered themselves post-penalty, Kenny and Cockram combined to pounce on their opponents deflation. Tullamore looked calm and composed up to this and were doing well to keep Naomh Ciarán within reach. The crowd knew this was more significant than the first goal. It was a real sucker-punch and ultimately ripped the game from Tullamore’s grasp.

THE STATISTICS

Wides: Naomh Ciarán - 9 (7 in the first half); Tullamore – 1 (0 in first half).

Yellow cards: 1 (Becky Bryant).

Red cards: 0

REFEREE WATCH

Eoghan O’Neill had a fine game overall. Some decisions were questionable as is the case with any game but Becky Bryant’s sin bin in the final ten minutes (which effectively ended her game) did appear a tad harsh. This aside, O’Neill managed it all very well and there can be few complaints over the course of the hour.

VENUE WATCH

Helped by the near-perfect conditions, Bretland Park still deserves credit for hosting today’s final so pleasantly. Parking was competitive but generally without much issue. Otherwise, the venue was in great nick for Sunday’s final, hosting a fine crowd of excited onlookers.