10 Killarney players on all-conquering ladies squad
FOUR seasons and an exhibition of quality football were on display in Ballyagran, Co Limerick as Intermediate School Killorglin’s Under 16-and-a-half side, powered by several Killarney players, captured their first Munster title this decade when defeating a very determined and physical St Annes of Tipperary on a 3-13 to 3-1 scoreline.
The dedicated supporters cheered on some masterful defending, with the ISK rearguard lead by Ciara Griffin, Meadhbh O’Sullivan and the three Cliffords, as the elements turned from snow showers to warm January sunshine.
Kate Maher and Grace Cahillane were picking up a lot of breaking ball around the middle third and the hard-working midfield duo of Anna O Reilly and Tara Breen were playing quality ball into the dangerous forward line.
Fiadhna Tangney, Cora Joy and Ciara O’Brien were constant thorns in the St Anne’s defence, setting up and finishing off a succession of well-taken scores.
All of the play was under the watchful eye of Ana Bellew between the posts and one of the highlights of the game was her point-blank save early in the second half.
This was a fantastic result for the school and ladies football in Kerry. A young, talented squad, lead by joint captains Tara Breen and Kate Maher, displayed great ability and supporters of both sides were treated to many flashes of brilliance.
Seven of the players were involved in Kerry’s Under 14 All-Ireland success last summer and, with the addition of Kerry inter-county attacker and All-Star footballer Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh to the management team, the future looks bright for ladies football in the ISK.
ISK scorers: F Tangney 2-5, C Joy 0-5, H Joy 1-0, C O’Brien 0-2, T Breen 0-1.
ISK: Ana Bellew (Fossa); Ciara Griffin (Fossa); Lucy Clifford (Laune Rangers); Sarah Clifford (Laune Rangers); Ailbhe Clifford (Cromane); Grace Cahillane (Fossa); Meadhbh O’Sullivan (Laune Rangers); Anna O’Reilly (Fossa); Tara Breen (Laune Rangers), Fiadhna Tangney (Legion); Ciara O’Brien (Laune Rangers); Lara O’Toole; Hannah Joy (Laune Rangers); Cora Joy (Cromane); Kate Maher (Kilcummin). Sinead O’Neill (Cromane); Kayleigh McGlashan (Laune Rangers); Claire Fealey (Cromane); Emily Kehoe (Kilcummin); Nicole Moriarty (Laune Rangers); Orlaith Reynolds (Laune Rangers); Orlagh Dineen (Fossa); Sadhbh Shaughnessy (Cromane); Nicole Clifford (Laune Rangers); Isabel Kehoe (Kilcummin); Niamh Ní Chlubháin (Spa).
* Pictures: Anne Marie O’Donoghue. Click on images to enlarge
