Ellen scores late winner as Caheragh crowned champs

Tadgh MacCárthaigh 1-9

S Peter’s 2-5

TADHG McCarthaigh ladies were crowned county junior C football champions at the CIT grounds in Bishopstown after they recorded a thrilling one-point win over a gallant St Peter’s side, who hail from the Rockchapel region of Duhallow.

This Caheragh side were looking to win a title they lost out on in 2015 by the narrowest of margins. 

On a perfect day for football both sides started slowly with defences on top. The crucial score of the first half fell to St Peter’s at the midway point when a shot dipped under the crossbar and gave them a two point interval lead, 1-2 to 0-3.

The opening minutes of the second half were close and tense with St Peter’s extended their lead to three points after seven minutes and when they scored a second goal two minutes later, Caheragh looked in serious trouble. 

A converted free from Jennifer Collins reduced the margin and when Kate McCarthy was pulled down in the square moments later, experienced full forward Aoife McCarthy showed great coolness slotting the penalty low into the left corner. 

The margin was again back to two points and with time running out, excitement levels soared. 

The six Caheragh backs were defending stoutly and two further points had the game level. Impressive Peter’s centre forward Katelyn Walsh gave them the lead with full time approaching but when Jennifer Collins pointed a close-in free to level the match, extra time looked on the cards. 

In one last attack the ball moved upfield and when corner forward Ellen Hurley stroked over a huge point, the cup looked on it’s way to Caheragh. 

St Peter’s did have one last chance in injury time which went wide as the final whistle sounded, to spark major celebrations in the Caheragh camp. 

This was a brilliant victory for all involved with the team, despite having lost both Eileen Mc Carthy and Ellen McCarthy to injury along the way.

Tadgh MacCárthaigh: Claire Fitzgerald; Roisin Kingston, Caroline Herlihy, Niamh Kingston;

Michelle Crowley, Christine Fitzgerald, Aine O’Donovan; Deirdre Connolly, Dolores O’Donovan; Kate McCarthy, Kate Barry, Jennifer Collins (0-5, 3f); Ellen Hurley (0-3), Aoife McCarthy (1-1, 1-0 pen), Rachel Leonard. 

Subs: Aisling Crowley, Olivia Collins.