Naomh Abán’s extra effort delivers Munster title

Naomh Abán 2-11

Clounmacon/Moyvane 2-8

ANTHONY NEWMAN REPORTS

NAOMH Abán were crowned Munster ladies intermediate football champions following their extra-time win over Clounmacon/Moyvane at Mallow on Sunday.

A late injury-time goal from Clounmacon/Moyvane’s Erin Finucane took the game to extra-time, but the Kerry champs failed to score again while Naomh Abán added three points to secure the title.

Lydia McDonagh kicked the game’s opening score for Naomh Abán, before Clounmacon/Moyvane levelled in the 12th minute.

Two minutes later Naomh Abán got the game’s opening goal when Colleen Phelan scored. From the restart they regained possession and worked the ball to McDonagh who rattled the net for their second goal. By half time, Naomh Abán led 2-3 to 0-5, as Clounmacon/Moyvane stayed in touch.

The Cork champs were in front for much of the second half, leading 2-7 to 0-7 with ten minutes to go. But Marie Kennelly set up a tense finish when she goaled for the Kerry outfit. Naomh Abán didn’t panic with Roisin Lehane scoring to put four between them, 2-8 to 1-7.

Erin Finucane pulled a point back, and with the last shot of the game she scored a goal to take it to extra-time. Here, Naomh Abán kicked on, as points from Lehane (2) and Joanne Kelly sealed a famous win.

Scorers

Naomh Abán: R Lehane 1-6; L McDonagh 1-3; A Maher, J Kelly 0-1 each.

Clounmacon/Moyvane: E Finucane 1-2 (1f); M Kennelly 1-1; G Musgrave (2f), K Enright 0-2 each; L Sheeran 0-1.

Naomh Abán: L Hughes; I Riordan, M Dineen, U Vaughan; C Murphy, R Corkery, A Creedon; A McDonagh, G Lucey; C Vaughan, G Murphy, A Maher; R Lehane, C Phelan, L McDonagh.

Subs: J Kelly for C Phelan (49), L Hughes for C Murphy, ME Kelliher for A Maher (both 55), C O’Connell for I Riordan (60), A Hoare for C Vaughan (62), C Maher for A Hoare (66), A Maher for G Lucey (70).

Clounmacon/Moyvane: D Clemmer; C Hudson, A Kelly, A Sheehy; O Wall, K McGrath, T Enright; L Sheeran, M Wall; A Quinn, M Mulvihill, K Enright; G Musgrave, E Finucane, F Buckley.

Subs: M Kennelly for F Buckley, G Stack Mulvihill for C Hudson (both 40), C Flavin for A Sheehy (53), L Stack for T Enright (55), A Sheehy for L Sheeran (80).

Referee: P Smith (Waterford).