Dohenys crowned West Cork ladies' minor B football champions

Dohenys 4-11

Courcey Rovers 2-8

FOR the first time in many years, Doheny Ladies GAA Club fielded a minor team and in their first year out, they were successful in securing top honours in the West Cork B final.

Katelyn Sheehan was the star of the show for the Dunmanway side as she kicked 1-5 in their win against Courcey Rovers in Bandon on Sunday.

Dohenys dominated much of the first half and held onto a comfortable lead throughout this encounter. By the break they were 11 points ahead. Sheehan scored four points from play in the first half and added a free, as Dohenys took control early on.

Aisling Barry and Mairead Crowley made some valuable contributions in midfield, and were constantly fed excellent ball by Marina Connolly in the half-back line.

The strong Dohenys defence made life difficult for Courceys to advance and with captain Donna Hayes leading her troops, they frustrated the Courceys attack, who had to wait until the 23rd minute for their first score.

Dohenys added two goals in the first half – from Niamh Hudson and Michelle Love – to hold the upper-hand at the break.

Courcey Rovers did rally in the second half and it was a more even affair, though a Dohenys goal from Maggie Collins in the 37th minute did strengthen the winner’s position.

Courceys asked a lot more questions of Dohenys in the second half but the Doheny goalkeeper Caitlin Holland made some fantastic saves. The game finished with a glut of goals as after Katelyn Sheehan hit the back of the net for Dohenys, Courceys responded with two of their own, but they left their comeback too late.

On a memorable day for Dohenys, the scorers for the new West Cork champions were Katelyn Sheehan 1-5, Michelle Love 1-3, Niamh Hudson 1-2, Maggie Collins 1-0 and Mairead Crowley 0-1. The Dohenys management team includes Miriam Forbes, Sean Holland, Willie Deane and Lorraine Kingston.

Dohenys: Caitlin Holland, Abby Kearney, Charlotte Deane, Maeve Chambers, Elvie Deane, Marina Connolly, Donna Hayes (captain), Mairead Crowley, Aisling Barry, Niamh Hudson, Michelle Love, Maggie Collins, Ava O’Donovan, Katelyn Sheehan, Maeve O’Neill, Maeve O’Donnell, Aife O’Neill, Isobel Hurley, Kate Murray, Shannon McCarthy, Ciara Hurley, Shauna Kehilly, Shauna Coughlan, Loretta Murray, Aoife Murphy, Erika Coakley, Áine Corish, Rachel Kingston, Ciara Forbes, Holly Ann Duggan, Jodie Quigley, Katie O’Neill, Lucy Mawe, Kerry Cotter, Claudie Murphy, Erin O’Donovan.