Strong defence was key for Inch to clinch Munster ladies football title

THERE are times you go into a game and would be fairly confident of winning, confident not complacent and the opposite might happen.

Then there are times you go into games expecting a right battle and by half-time, it’s over as a contest as you are well and truly in control.

The latter is what happened to Inch Rovers on Saturday as they won the Munster Intermediate ladies football championship by 0-12 to 0-2, taking their opponents 47 minutes to register their first score.

They took on Templemore from Tipperary, who had knocked out a much-fancied Abbeyside in the semi-final and were fully expected to put it up to the Cork side.

But even though it was a low-scoring affair they were always in control, with impressive displays from the likes of Player of the Game Jessica O’Shea, Lydia Williams and a very experienced full-forward line.

Anne Marie O’Connor, Aoife Walsh and Annie Walsh know all about winning and they made life difficult for the Tipp side all through.

On the sideline Noel O’Connor is a top manager and add in coach, Angela Walsh, and they are going to be tough opponents in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Afterwards captain of the side, Aoife Higgins, was delighted to collect their cup on behalf of her side.

“I’m very proud to be captain of this team, I’m only 19 and there are lots of other young players as well so it’s a privilege to captain them.

“There are a few experienced players as well and they are a great help to us when it comes to games like this.

“We have worked really hard all year and this win reflects that. But I wouldn’t say it was an easy win in any way and it was tough out there.

“I know we won by 10 points but it didn’t feel that much of a gap out there on the pitch.

“If anyone got a goal it would have made a difference, but it was definitely tighter than the scoreline reflects. Defensively I thought we were very strong as well and not conceding any score in the first-half reflected that.

“The half-forwards work back as well as the midfielders and that gave us a strong platform to drive on to win.

“I’m in college in Dublin so I know some of the girls we might be facing in the All-Ireland semi-final so I’m sure there will be plenty of banter in the next few weeks ahead of that game,” concluded Aoife.