Bob Flanagan Cup win for Kilmurry-Ibrickane

Kilmurry-Ibrickane 3-7
Burren Gaels 1-7

Kilmurry-Ibrickane claimed the Bob Flanagan Memorial Cup at Kilmihil on Tuesday evening when they were crowned Armada Hotel Junior A champions, just 48 hours after overcoming Kilrush in the semi-final at the same venue.
The winners went about their business in determined fashion. They won the throw-in, quickly released the ball to the full-forward line, where Loretta Hanrahan and Chloe Moloney combined for the latter to kick the opening score, a point within seconds of the start.
Young Moloney rattled the net in the third minute after a surging run.  Just a few minutes later she fielded well and off-loaded to the impressive Ciara McCarthy, who scored Kilmurry’s second goal. With only seven minutes played, they had laid down a marker, were seven points ahead and in total control, as they owned the ball.  It was all so different to when the sides met in the Division 3 league final last June in Ennistymon, where the North Clare outfit emerged victorious at their ease by 3-12 to 1-0. 
Despite lining out without one of their key players, midfielder Bernie McGuire, they did very well in this sector, where Dympna O’Dwyer, in particular, was impressive. 
As the opening half progressed, matters got worse for the North Clare side as Chloe Moloney kicked three points, two of which were from play, while a third Kilmurry goal by Karen Galvin left them cruising at the short whistle, 3-6 to Burren Gael’s only point, which was scored by Lynn Carrucan in the 25th minute.
Fourteen points ahead, the winners started the second half with seven defenders while other players were dropping back all the time. Despite the numerical disadvantage at that end of the pitch, Burren Gaels slowly began to claw their way back.  Two points from Lynn Carrucan from play put a better look on the scoreboard, while a goal from county minor Kayleigh McCormack in the 41st minute further improved matters.
It was now 3-6 to 1-3 and Burren Gaels had missed a glorious goal opportunity.  They did not have the rub of the green on the evening but kept plugging away. 
Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s only second-half score was a point for centre-forward Ciara McCarthy, while Amy Moloney and team captain Róisín Howley registered four between them. 
While the girls from Quilty, Mullagh and Coore were the better team overall and thoroughly deserved their victory, it could have been so different had Burren Gaels taken their second-half goal chances. 
Sharon Sexton, Maura Garvey, Sarah Glenny, Dypmna O’Dwyer, Maeve Foley, Ciara McCarthy, Karen Galvin, Loretta Moloney and, of course, Chloe Moloney were in fine form for the winners, while Lynn Carrucan and Róisín Howley were Burren Gael’s best performers on the evening.
After the game, Frank Minogue, general manager of the Armada Hotel, presented the player of the match award to Kilmurry-Ibrickane full-forward Chloe Moloney, while county board chairperson Alan Copley presented the cup to a delighted Audrey Cahill, captain of Kilmurry-Ibrickane.
Aidan Moloney’s charges will now go on to play Monigea from Limerick in the Munster Junior Club quarter-final at Clarecastle on Saturday at 3pm.
Kilmurry-Ibrickane:  Leanne Meaney; Lauren McCarthy, Niamh Sexton, Sarah Glenny; Maura Garvey, Rebecca Doohan, Audrey Cahill (captain); Dympna O’Dwyer, Maeve Foley; Edel Lynch, Ciara McCarthy, Sharon Sexton; Loretta Hanrahan, Chloe Moloney, Karen Galvin.
Subs: Fiona O’Neill for E Lynch, Siobhán Sexton for N Sexton, Shauna Healy for L Hanrahan and Gabrielle McCarthy for K Galvin.
Burren Gaels: Kanisha Flanagan; Róisín Kelly, Tiana Flanagan, Marian Conway; Joanne Howley, Fiona Loughman, Amy O’Brien; Orlaith Cullinan, Kayleigh McCormack; Lynn Carrucan, Róisín Howley (captain), Mehan Byrne; Niamh Carrucan, Amy Moloney, Leanne Flaherty. 
Subs: Bronagh Considine for N Carrucan (half-time).
Referee: Michael Fitzgerald, Ballyea/Clondegad.