Ursuline Waterford secure historic All Ireland crown with emphatic win over Banagher

All Ireland Post Primary Junior B Final - Ursuline Waterford 3-16 Banagher Offaly 1-4

 

Just twelve months after a narrow defeat in the Junior C Munster Final the Ursuline Waterford were back in the winners enclosure with an impressive eighteen point victory over Banagher, Offaly in the Junior B All Ireland Final at St. Lachlainn GAA Freshford last Saturday. This is the Ursuline first All-Ireland final triumph and was fashioned with a superb display. It is hard to believe that this is only the Ursuline Second year competing in Post primary competition. 

Ursuline Waterford won the toss and opted to play against a strong breeze in the opening half.  Waterford midfield pairing of Clodagh Carroll and Kate Lynch was simply majestic. It wasn't long before the Ursuline register their first score from Aoife Fitzgerald.  Banagher won a free shortly after and Chloe Reilly level the game.  It was nip and tuck from there on in, with the game level after 20mins 0-02 each. Player of the match Abby Flynn played the ball into Rachel Walsh who blasted the ball to the back of the net for the first goal. At half time the score was Ursuline Waterford 1-03 Banagher Offaly 0-04.  The defence was superb in the first half keeping Banagher forwards at bay. 

Ursuline Waterford came out a transformed team and dominated throughout the second half with Shauna Farrell, Leah Sheridan and Lucy Hogan outstanding in defence with player of the match Abby Flynn dominating on the forty.  Aoife Fitzgerald secured the second goal and points were then registered by Ciara O Sullivan, Abby Flynn, Annie Fitzgerald, Clodagh Carroll and Kate Lynch. The Ursuline girls dominated the play from there on it and there was no coming back for the opposition.  Abby Flynn scored the third goal and it was always going to be a Ursuline win from there on it. The Offaly girls refused to give into defeat and registered a consolation goal from their star performer Chloe Reilly in the dying minutes of the game. It was a perfect performance by the Ursuline girls and one they will treasure for many years.  A special mention to Mr. Conor O Toole and Ms. Emilie Darmody who put in a massive effort into preparing these girls. This was a complete team performance and everyone played their part in the victory.  Player of the match was given to the outstanding Abby Flynn.  

Ursuline Waterford: Leah O Donoghue (Gailltir), Shauna Farrell (Butlerstown), Lucy Hogan (De La Salle), Emma Flynn (Gailltir), Sarah Maher (Gailltir), Leah Sheridan (Gailltir), Hannah Flynn (Gailltir), Clodagh Carroll (Gailltir), Kate Lynch (Gailltir), Abby Flynn (De La Salle), Ciara O Sullivan (Gailltir), Annie Fitzgerald (Gailltir), Rachel Walsh (Butlerstown), Aoife Fitzgerald (Gailltir), Sorcha Cantwell (Gailltir). Subs Used: Katie Judge (Gailltir) for Emma Flynn , Clodagh Durham (Gailltir) for Sorcha Cantwell, Jodie Tuohy (Gailltir) for Sarah Maher, Aleisha Flynn (Gailltir) for Lucy Hogan and Shauna Gaffney Hayes (Roanmore-Portlaw) for Rachel Walsh. Other subs included: Deanna O Brien (Butlerstown), Alice Sheridan (Mooncoin), Grainne Kavanagh (Butlerstown), Hannah Leamy (Tramore), Aoife Dunphy (Tramore), Sinead Dunphy (Tramore).

Scorers: Aoife Fitzgerald 1-04, Abby Flynn 1-03, Annie Fitzgerald 0-5(2fs),Rachel Walsh 1-0 Ciara O Sullivan 0-02, Kate Lynch 0-1, Clodagh Carroll 0-01 

Subs: Deanna O Brien, 

Banagher College: Ellen Gilligan, Dearbhla Kelly, Amy Byrne, Laura Clancy, Lauren Temple, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Ellie Hickey, Katie Ryan, Louise Mannion, Chloe Reilly, Nessa Dolan, Aine Doorly, Rebecca McGarry, Anna Larkin, Cathy Moran

Referee: Liz Dempsey

Player of the Match: Abby Flynn

Match report with thanks to Ita Murphy (Chairperson Waterford County Camogie Board)