Ballymacarbry Crowned Munster B Ladies Football Champions

Ballymacarbry Senior ladies football team headed to University of Limerick on Sunday last in search of a Munster B title. The last won this title in 2015. Their opponents were Cahir from Tipperary who won their first county final this year. Cahir defeated the Kerry champions Southern Gaels on route to the final while Ballymacarbry had a comprehensive win over the Banner from Clare in their semi final. 

Cahir were first out of the block with a point after 40 seconds however this was to be the only time the led in the game. After 5 minutes Sinead Ryan blasted a goal to the back of the net after a pass from Linda Wall to leave the score 1-0 to 0-1 after 5 minutes.

Ballymac added two further points before the sharp shooter Sinead Ryan added another goal ten minutes into the game to leave the score 2-2 to 0-2 after ten minutes.
Another Ryan got on the score sheet when Michelle Ryan sent the ball crashing to the net after sixteen minutes which was followed by a great point from corner forward Brigita Valuntaite.

Cahir tagged on a few points in the closing quarter of the first half but further points from Michelle and Sinead Ryan and a point from Linda Wall in the first half left the side 3-10 to 0-5 pts at half time. 

Immediately after the break Sinead Ryan became the hat trick hero when she slotted the ball to the back of the Cahir net and five minutes later Aileen Wall putted the game out of Cahirs reach when she split the Cahir defence and raised the fifth green flag for the West Waterford side. 

Cahir fought back with a goal in the 42nd minute when they scored the rebound from a superb save from the Ballymac goalie Lauren Fitzpatrick, they followed this up with another three pointer on the 47th minute. This left the score 5-14 to 2-6.

Mid fielder Kelly Anne Hogan added another point to double her tally for the day with two points from play. Eibhlis Cooney Sinead Ryan added to the Ballymac score sheet before Ballymac introduced some of their up and coming underage stars. Alice Ryan scored 3 superb points from play, Ciara Ryan showed furious work rate while others introduced included Abby Wall, Muireann Boyce and Danielle Hallahan which will provide great experience for these young and talented young girls in the future. 

Treasa McGrath and Maeve Ryan were tenacious in defence with the Waterford trio of Michelle McGrath, Karen McGrath and Mairead Wall solidifying the defence. Laura Mulcahy showed great maturity by limiting Cahir's main threat Aisling Moloney.

The midfield duo of Louise Ryan and Kelly Ann Hogan combined youth and experience well to form a formidable partnership around the middle. Up front the Wall sister Aileen and Linda Wall combined well with Eibhlis Cooney to set up some great attacks. The full forward to trio of Michelle Ryan, Sinead Ryan and Brigita Valuntaite finished with a combined tally 4-18 with Sinead Ryan picking up Player of the Match with a personal tally of 3-9.

Louise Ryan accepted the Munster B Cup. Ballymacarbry now go on to the Munster A Final where they will face Mournabbey of Cork next weekend. 

Ballymacarbry team: Lauren Fitzpatrick, Treasa McGrath, Laura Mulcahy, Maeve Ryan, Mairead Wall, Karen McGrath, Michelle McGrath, Louise Ryan, KellyAnn Hogan (0-2), Linda Wall (0-1), Eibhlis Cooney (0-1), Aileen Wall (1-0), Brigita Valuntaite (0-1), Sinead Ryan (3-9), Michelle Ryan (1-3). Subs: Ciara Ryan, Danielle Hallahan, Abby Wall, Alice Ryan, Muireann Boyce.