London stroke Derry
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Louise Glass, Derry, in action against Aine Murphy, London.
WITH expectation of a first All Ireland title for Derry Ladies, the girls went to Croke Park on a high. The London team were no strangers to Derry as they had met twice already this year with victories on both occasions to the Derry girls.
Taking this into consideration Derry entered the final as favourites, although London did have one advantage and that was the experience of playing a final at Croke Park last year. The defeat in that game must have inspired the London girls, who seemed determined not to go through the pain and disappointment of losing another shot at the title.
The Junior final between Derry and London got off to a 12pm start and conditions were great for the match with just a very slight breeze. Derry got off to a quick headstart with a point in the first minute of the game, coming from Aine McCusker catching the throw in and working it up field into hands of Kathy Conway, who scored the opening point. This was Derry's only time to be in the lead and it was to be short lived. London opened there scoring tally with a goal and manage to put in another two and three points in the first half leaving a half time score reading London 3-3 to Derry 0-5. The second half saw London continue to add to their goal tally holding a lead that Derry could not close. With less than 15 minutes left in the game Derry gave their supporters some hope with a high ball in from Shauna McCalllion (Derry 12) which had Sinead Cassidy (Derry 26) put enough pressure on the London keeper when challenging for the ball to result in the ball crossing the line and a goal for Derry. This brought the gap to 4pts and all Derry thoughts where on a comeback, but what seemed to be the defining moment of the game was the quick response of London who put in yet another goal. Although Derry scored 12 times to Londons 10, the 5 London goals were just to much for Derry and the final score ending the game and all Derrys hopes of their All Ireland Title was Derry 1-11 to London 5-5.
Derry Squad: 1.Breigeen Cassidy , 2.Nuala Doherty, 3.Nuala O'Hagan, 4.Naomi McMullan, 5.Dervla McMaster, 6.Una Harkin, 7.Clare Lagan, 8.Mary Angela Conway, 9.Kathy Conway, 10. JulieMcLaughlin, 11.Ashleen Kealey, 12.Shauna McCallion,
13.Ursula Mulla, 14.Louise Glass, 15.Aine McCusker.
Substitutes
Subs who played. Michelle McAteer, Emma Doherty, Shauna Vallely, Claire Doherty, Sinead Cassidy.
Subs: Sinead Barker, Emma Kelly, Ashlene Moore, Briege Convery, Clodagh Gormley, Tracey Kelly, Mary Jo Boyle.
