WE have undeniable evidence that the future is bright for West Cork ladies football!
In recent weeks, several county U14 football finals were played, and eight deciders featured West Cork teams. Incredibly, SEVEN local clubs won county titles, highlighting the strength of ladies football in the region.
Take a bow, O’Donovan Rossa, Valley Rovers, Castlehaven, Ibane Ladies, Rosscarbery and Kilmacabea.
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The Valley Rovers team that won the U14B county championship final against Banteer. Back from left, Robyn Lynch, Anna Mai Kiely, Lynn Harnett, Willow Cullinan, Ilona O’Mahony, Doireann Forde, Sophie McSweeney, Annabelle Nolan, Róisín Falvey, Siún Falvey, Eloise O’Sullivan-O’Connell, Olivia Fehin and Holly McCarthy. Front from left, Róise Walsh, Ruby Kelleher, Orla Collins, Samantha Johnson, Aine Dinneen, Muireann Holland, Lucy McCarthy and Shauna Cullinane.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be that surprised when you consider that West Cork players backboned the Cork team that won the All-Ireland U14A title earlier this year. Captained by Ibane Gaels’ Aoife Harte, who was joined on the Cork squad by club-mates Niamh Doyle, Aoife Walsh, Kate Collins and Aibhlin McCarth, Kilmacabea’s Nell Kinsella, Grace O’Sullivan of Tadhg MacCarthaigh, and the St Colum’s duo of Emily Conlon and Niamh O’Sullivan.
Still, the trophy haul in recent weeks highlights the great work by local clubs right across West Cork.
O’Donovan Rossa captured the county U14A title, beating Watergrasshill 3-11 to 1-6 in the final in Cloughduv. Lily O’Sullivan, Ruby Humston and Maddie O’Connell scored the Skibb goals. Led by captain Orla O'Donovan, this was an historic first county A underage title for the Skibb ladies football club. Interestingly, six players on the U14 team have older sisters on the Rossas’ senior team that has enjoyed great success, too, in recent years. Success really does breed success, as Orla O'Donovan (younger sister to Éabha), Carla Harte (Lisa), Aife McCarthy (Emer), Hayley Beechinor (Jessica), Keelin O'Regan (Tara) and Hannah Tobin (Allie) are proving.
The victorious O’Donovan Rossa panel included Holly O’Regan, Hayley Beechinor, Eve O’Sullivan, Adelaide Hegarty, Lauren McCarthy, Nicole O’Sullivan, Aoise Maguire, Aife McCarthy, Carla Harte, Ruby Humston, Orla O’Donovan, Maddie O’Connell, Milllana Collins, Keelin O’Regan, Lily O’Sullivan, Vistoria Balasa, Jessica Galvin, Grace Murnane, Sarah Connolly, Anna Hegarty, Hannah Tobin, Clodagh Swanton and Mae Murphy. Management included Ian O’Regan, John O’Sullivan, Gretta Murnane, Brian O’Sullivan, Karen Galvin and Gretta Murnane (FLO).
The Ibane Ladies team that won the U14 A2 decider against Naomh Abán.
Ibane Ladies were too strong for Naomh Abán in the U14 A2 decider, winning 2-11 to 3-4. Juliet Murphy was captain of a squad that included Megan Whelton, Aoife Harrington, Aibhlín McCarthy, Jasmine Harrington, Aoife Walsh, Heidi Doyle, Megan O’Regan, Niamh Doyle, Eabha Deasy, Kate Collins, Aoife Harte, Sarah Harrington, Amy Whelton, Andrea Deasy, Vlada Berdysheva, Amy Shaw, Gemma O’Brien, Eve Tobin, Emily Murphy, Ava Harrington, Cara Daly, Ciara Long and Alice Kelly. The management team consists of JJ Deasy, John Harrington, Siobhan Daly, Denise Foley, and Mary Harrington (FLO).
There was success, too, for Valley Rovers in the U14B county championship final, beating Banteer by 3-8 to 3-3. Rosscarbery got the better of Ilen Rovers in an all-West Cork county final, with Ross winning 4-10 to 3-10 in Castlehaven – Ross enjoyed a big win against Nemo Rangers in the semi-final. Also, Castlehaven celebrated success in the U14B2 decider after beating Naomh Fionnbarra by 6-9 to 4-4. In the U14C final, Bantry Blues beat Midleton by 3-5 to 1-3.
The Castlehaven U14 team that won the county U14B2 final against Naomh Fionnbarra.(Photo: Andrew Harris)
Kilmacabea GAA flew the West Cork flag high as they captured the U14 C2 county title, inspired by captain Nell Kinsella who kicked 5-8 of their 5-9 total against Kilworth. Annie O’Donovan scored the other point. The winners led 4-6 to 1-2 at the short whistle. While Kilworth had the wind in the second half, goalkeeper Aéla French, who saved a penalty, and full back Heather O'Donovan emerged as heroes in a great team display. It was the latest success in a great season for Kilmacabea ladies football teams, as the club already won the U14 C1 West Cork championship, the U13 D1 county title, and U15 West Cork Summer League final.
The victorious Kilmacabea U14 squad included Aéla French, Chloe Twomey, Heather O’Donovan, Molly Murphy, Caoimhe O’Brien, Maryjo O’Mahony, Megan Slaney, Ciara Jennings, Nell Kinsella, Mia Collins, Annie O’Donovan, Ellen O’Donovan, Chloe Connolly, Gemma Collins, Rebecca Keyes, Áine Ní Lochlainn, Rosa O’Brien, Alannah Crowley, Charlotte Martin, Emma Twomey, Victoria Jennings and Zuzanna Stankiewicz. On the management team are Diarmuid French, Kevin O’Brien, John O’Donovan, Agnieszka Cebo, Donie O’Donovan, and Ailleen O’Keeffe (FLO).
