Banner ladies beaten in Munster final

Inch Rovers Cork   2-13     Banner Ladies   1-5
CLARE ladies champions Banner ladies were well beaten in last Friday’s Munster A ladies club final, which was played in Martinstown.

The Banner started well and double All-Star nominee Niamh O’Dea pointing twice in the opening 10 minutes.

However, Inch Rovers began to exert control, so much so that they ended up leading 2-5 to 0-2 at half-time.

Mary O’Connor pointed the winners’ first score in the 12th minute, which was followed five minutes later by an Amy O’Shea goal, which was set up by a run from Annie Walsh.

With the winners’ half-back line on top, their forwards were getting a regular supply of ball. They added three points in quick succession before Amy O’Shea netted her second goal in the 28th minute.
In injury time, Sarah Harrington added a point to leave the winners leading by nine points at half-time.

The Banner battled hard on the restart with Niamh O’Dea kicking an early point. Niamh O’Dea scored the Banner’s goal five minutes from time but a rampant Inch Rovers finished with points from Sarah Harrington and Mary O’Connor.

Banner Ladies: Emma O’Driscoll; Sinéad O’Keeffe, Laurie Ryan, Niamh Cavanagh; Louise Woods, Sinéad Quinn, Rebecca Culligan; Louise Henchy, Katie Cahill; Aoibheann Malone, Niamh O’Dea, Gráinne Nolan; Naomi Carroll, Aoife Keane, Eva O’Dea.
Subs: Sue Higgins for Aoibheann Malone, Karen Roche for Eva O’Dea, Niamh O’Brien for Aoife Keane and Orlaith Lynch for Laurie Ryan.
Not used: Caroline McNulty, Aoife Cavanagh and Rachel Grogan.
Scorers: Niamh O’Dea (1-3, 2f), Gráinne Nolan and Naomi Carroll (0-1 each).
Referee: M Meade (Ballylanders).