Ardfinnan 2:11 – Galtee Rovers 1:11

In what was a cracking and most entertaining league final these two teams served up an excellent game worthy of a county final. Ardfinnan may have had home advantage but this counted for very little in the end as they were made to work to the finish to ensure a narrow hard fought two point win over Galtee Rovers.

Ardfinnan made the better start and were three points up withing eight minutes before Galtee Rovers had their opening score. The Ardfinnan scores coming from the impressive number 15 Claire Lyness (2 (1f) ) and the hard working Laura Dillon. Galtee at the other end had the equally impressive Roisin Finnane at midfield and the speedy Ciara Halpin causing problems on every attack.  Ardfinnan opened up a 3 point lead as we approached twenty minutes played but Galtee had hit a number of wides in their efforts to stay in touch. When Claire Lyness struck for a well taken Ardfinnan goal on twenty one minutes one feared for the Galtee ladies but in fact this spurred them on and with Edith Carroll getting on lots of ball in midfield together with Finnane and Halpin these three players dragged Galtee Rovers right back into contention with three well taken points as we approached half time. Lyness added a free before the whistle to leave the half time scores, Ardfinnan 1:07, Galtee Rovers :05.

When play resumed Galtee made the initial attempts and were rewarde with points from Danielle Ronan and a Finnane free to leave just the goal separating the teams. Just when it looked as if Galtee had the momentum up popped Ardfinnan’s Laura Nagle for her sides second goal to restore their lead. Galtee pressed forward a rasping shot cannoned off the Ardfinnan crossbar to groans from the Galtee supporters. Finnane for Galtee was proving accurate from placed balls and two pointed frees kept Galtee in touch as we approached the three quarter stage of the game. When Galtee’s Alison Lonergan had a fine goal in the forty-eight minute Galtee now found themselves with a one point lead, 1:11 to 2:07. The lead was short lived however as corner forward Lyness again found the space to fire over three points without reply in the next five minutes.  The Galtee ladies were now tiring and without the luxury of an extended panel to call upon were unable to call upon fresh legs which Ardfinnan did as the clock ticked on into injury time. Ardfinnan’s Orla Keating put her side three points to the good on fifty nine minutes . Galtee managed a final point from a free by Finnane deep into injury time to leave the full time score, Ardfinnan 2:11 Galtee Rover’s 1:12.

This was a tough physical game of sporting football played out between two fine sides who will no doubt renew rivalries later this summer  in the county championships. Galtee will hope to have Tipperary Intermediate player Claire Carroll back from injury no doubt which will further strengthen their side.Ardfinnan : Joan Lonergan, Jane O’Mahoney, Rachel Doyle, Helen Quirke, Yvonne Keating, Samantha Lambert, Orla Keating (01), Claire Hally (01), Aoife O’Shaughnessy, Ciara Nagle, Anna Barlow (01), Zara Brennan, Laura Dillon (01), Laura Nagle (1:00)  Claire Lyness (1:07) Panrel : Aoife Keating, Eimear O Connor, Aloce Tobin, Catherine Ryan, Samantha Meaney, Emma Sweeney, Cora Hewitt, Clare Doheny, Hannah Gilligan.

Galtee Rovers : Saoirse Fanning, Bernie Bustin, Maria Magner, Kate White, Katie Quirke, Denise Ryan, Danielle Ronan, Edith Carroll (01), Roisin Finnane (08)  Ciara Halpin (02), Alison Lonergan (1:00), Ruth Ronan, Kim Quinn, Katie Crowe, Aoife Donovan, Panel : Aine White, Rachel Moloney, Zoe Morrissey, Leah O’Meara. The cup was presented by Chairperson Tipperary Ladies LGFA Mrs Biddy Ryan to Ardfinnan's Captain Claire Hally.