Ringmahon senior ladies claim first Kevin Barry trophy with win over Midleton in the final

Ringmahon 3 

Midleton 1 

Ringmahon claimed the CWSSL Kevin Barry Cup for the first time when they defeated Division 1 league champions Midleton 3-1 in the final played in St Colman's Park with all four goals coming in the second half of a very good game.

Ringmahon had the first real chance on goal when Midleton keeper Ellen O’Leary did well to gather the ball ahead of Ringmahon’s Kayleigh Still following a corner kick in only the fifth minute.

Play went from end to end as both teams attempted to break through although Ringmahon had a chance in the15th minute when Kellie Leahy’s cross from the far side found Isabelle O’Connor whose effort from 10 yards was well held by Ellen O’Leary in the Midleton goal.

Ringmahon had another chance moments later only for the Midleton keeper managing to hold onto a loose ball ahead of Isabelle O’Connor as theywere beginning to dominate and create chances for themselves.

Ringmahon came close again when Mannie Murray’s pass found Cara O’Donovan whose effort from inside the area was well saved by Ellen O’Leary at the far post followed moments later by Isabelle O’Connor’s effort which came off the post from close range.

Mahon came close yet again just before the break when Kayleigh Still managed to get behind the Midleton defence only to be denied by the Midleton keeper on a one to one from 12 yards out.

Despite plenty of play between them, with Ringmahon having the most in the line of chances, both teams went in at the break scoreless.

Ringmahon continued to press with Ava Murphy having a chance on goal from 12 yards only for her effort to be covered by the Midleton keeper while another chance came from Kayleigh Still from inside the area forcing the Midleton keeper to dive to her right and clear the ball away.

Moments later Midleton had their best chance of the half when Emily Gallogley’s effort from inside the corner of the area forced the Ringmahon keeper to knock the ball out for a corner.

However, just two minutes later in the 59th minute Ringmahon took the lead when Kayleigh Still managed to get behind the Midleton defence and neatly slotted the ball into the net form just inside the area.

Ringmahon doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Ciara Allen’s pass found Kayleigh Still who slotted the ball past Ellen O’Leary from inside the area as Ringmahon were now well in control of the game.

Less than two minutes later Ringmahon added a third when Kayleigh Still passed the ball to Cara O’Donovan in the centre who fired the ball into the top corner from 15 yards.

Midleton managed to pull a goal back in the 75th minute when Charley Moore outran her markers and fired the ball into the net to give Midleton a welcome boost with 15 minutes remaining.

Ringmahon’s Ava Murphy hit the post in the final five minutes of the game and although Midleton pressed forward towards the end it was Ringmahon who claimed the trophy for the first time.

The trophy was presented to team captain Kayleigh Still, who also received the player of the match award.

Ringmahon: Mairead O’Sullivan, Charley Roche, Lena Henry, Ailbhe O’Donovan, Lia Ni Shuilleabhain, Jaydine Seward, Kayleigh Still, Mannie Murray, Caras O’Donovan, Ciara Allen, Isabelle O’Connor, Jennifer O’Gorman, Aishleigh O’Sullivan, Ava Murphy, Rita Yammine, Kellie Leahy, Isabelle Crean, Sophia Atkinson.

Midleton: Ellen O’Leary, Jodi O’Neill, Lauren Linehan, Sarah Sexton, Stephanie Shanahan, Laura Goulding, Emily Gallogley, Charley Moore, Andrea de Maria Kindelan, Aoife Mitchell, Olivia McGrath, Maggie O’Riordan, Evie Prenderville, Aisling Naughton, Muireann Deasy, Sophie Kearney, Sarah Healy.

Referee: Mark O’Connell.