Glanmire 4-13 Donoughmore 2-8

A SUPERB first-half display against the strong wind helped secure Glanmire’s spot in the ladies football intermediate football final at the Pike Field on Saturday.

In the clash of champions, the home side dominated for long periods and were fully deserving of their win. Two years ago they won the All-Ireland junior title and moved up to intermediate level. Last year Donoughmore won the All-Ireland junior title and with 13 of that side starting this was going to be a big test for Glanmire.

But this young and hungry Glanmire side showed all the right attributes and they are going to be a tough team to beat in the final, captained and led by Abbie O’Mahony in midfield they also had impressive displays from the likes of Kayla O’Connor, Sarah O’Brien and Shauna Murphy.

Another to star, Kate Hannon put them in front with Ellen Murphy adding a second. Rena Buckley opened Donoughmore’s account and the former Cork star went on to get all their scores bar one.

Buckley added a second to level it, with Niamh McAllen replying, before Buckley made it 0-3 apiece.

Then Glanmire took over, with Hannon pointing and Oliva McAllen getting their first goal, to make it 1-4 to 0-3 with 15 minutes gone.

McAllen and Hannon pointed before Murphy got their second goal as it wasn’t looking good for Donoughmore at this stage.

Ellen Murphy and Buckley exchanged points before O’Mahony got the last score of the half as they led 2-8 to 0-4 at the break.

Hannon increased their lead before Buckley pulled a goal back for her side, but O’Mahony responded from a penalty after Oliva McAllen was fouled to put them 3-9 to 1-5 up.

Their fourth goal, from O’Brien, killed off any slight hope of a Donoughmore comeback, with Jenny Brew Dinan and Buckley pointing to reduce the deficit.

Ellen Murphy was then sin-binned for the winners, with Buckley scoring a goal from a penalty and a point in her absence, to make it 2-8 to 4-11.

Shauna Murphy then joined her team-mate in the bin, but Glanmire still finished the stronger of the two sides, with two late points from Orlaith Roche sealing their comprehensive win.

Scorers for Glanmire: K Hannon 0-5 (0-3 f), S Murphy, A O’Mahony (1-0 pen) 1-1 each, O McAllen, S O’Brien 1-0 each, E Murphy, N McAllen (0-1 f), O Roche 0-2 each,

Donoughmore: R Buckley 2-7 (1-0 pen, 0-6 f), J Brew Dinan 0-1.

GLANMIRE: A Carey; A McNamara, E Baker, R Crowley; A McCarthy, K O’Connor, E Twomey, E Murphy, A O’Mahony; S O’Brien, A Murphy, O McAllen; N McAllen, S Murphy, K Hannon.

Subs: O Roche for N McAllen (54), S Dinan for O McAllen, G Cashman for A McNamara (both 60).

DONOUGHMORE: C O’Connell; E Walsh, Aisling Barrett, C Morrissey; A Quigley, M Dilworth, D Dineen; R Buckley, L McCarthy; E O’Reilly, R O’Mahony, J Brew Dinan; Aoife Barrett, C Keane, E Lyons.

Subs: I Healy for C Morrissey (h-t), A Greene for E Lyons (42), K Buckley for E O’Reilly (54).

Referee: Mairead Dullea, Bantry Blues.