First-half dominance proves vital for Newmarket victory

Newmarket 1-13
Shannon Gaels 3-5
A strong second-half fightback wasn’t enough for Shannon Gaels in this Intermediate Ladies’ Football Championship final at Lissycasey.
Newmarket dominated the first half and led by 12 points at the mid-point. In the second half, the Gaels dominated but time wasn’t on their side and Newmarket held on for victory.
The winners laid the foundations for victory at midfield, where Chloe Morey and Jenny Kelly dominated. The Gaels had the opening two points but these were cancelled out by Newmarket, who then took control. Points from Áine O’Brien and Jenny Kelly were followed by a Nikki Kaiser goal before Kaiser and Kelly followed with a brace of points each. Three further points followed, to leave Newmarket ahead at the interval on a score of 1-11 to 0-2.
At the start of the second half the Gaels won a penalty when Sarah Bohannon was fouled but Colette Corry’s effort was wide of the target.
The West Clare side refused to panic and after Mairéad Madigan pointed, goals followed from Madigan and Sarah Bohannon. A second goal from Bohannon, followed by an Adrienne Nugent point, tied up the game with 10 minutes still to play.
At this stage, the advantage appeared to be with the Gaels but Newmarket finished strongly and two pointed frees from Jenny Kelly ensured victory for her side.
Newmarket: Áine Lawlor; Carol Kaiser, Iris Kaiser, Clodagh Lawlor; Sarah McInerney, Róisín McMahon, Aimee McInerney; Chloe Morey, Jenny Kelly; Aine O’Brien, Carol O’Leary, Jane O’Leary; Gráinne Ryan, Ruth Kaiser and Nikki Kaiser.
Subs: Ali Quinlan and Claire Arthur.
Scorers: Jenny Kelly (0-7); Nikki Kaiser (1-3); Áine O’Brien (0-2); Gráinne Ryan (0-1).
Shannon Gaels: Edel Conway; Susan Neylon, Carmel Bohannon, Ellis Moran; Helena Flanagan, Adrienne Nugent, Imelda Kennedy; Mary Ruth Neylon, Sarah Bohannon; Ger Corry, Colette Corry, Michelle Madigan; Kate O’Brien, Criodhe Glynn and Mairéad Madigan.
Scorers: Sarah Bohannon (2-1); Mairéad Madigan (1-2); Adrianne Nugent and Ger Corry (0-1) each.
Sub: Racheal Ryan.