Old Leighlin 1-12 Bennekerry/Tinryland 1-4
Injury ravaged Bennekerry/Tinryland lost their Carlow S.F.C. crown when former champions Old Leighlin proved too strong in the 2022 final at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday 18th September.
Losing players of the calibre of Cliodhna Ni Se, Niamh Kelly and Roisin Byrne all to cruciate issues meant that the 2021 champions were facing an uphill battle and that was ultimately the case in this game watched by a large attendance.
The defending champions were first on the scoresheet when Sinead Hayden converted a free within 40 seconds of the throw in. Old Leighlin took time to settle and it was in the 6th minute before they got their opening point from their lethal forward Rachel Sawyer. The ladies from Molaise park began to dominate but great defending from BT restricted them to 3 points over the next 15 minutes. Points from Jenny Sawyer, Rachel Sawyer and Gemma Carpenter stretched the OL lead to 3 points before a high lob from Fiona O Sullivan which deceived Co. goalkeeper Nicole Hanley brought BT right back into contention. Old Leighlin recovered well from this set back and they finished the half well with 3 points in a 2 minute spell from Carpenter (2) and Rachel Sawyer. Half time score Old Leighlin 0-8. Bennekerry Tinryland 1-1.
The second half began with Bennekerry/Tinryland throwing the kitchen sink at the former champions but it was Old Leighlin who were more clinical in front of goal and 4 unanswered points from Jenny Sawyer and her sister Rachel (3) stretched their lead to 7 points mid- way in the 2nd half. Bennekerry Tinryland then emptied their bench introducing fresh legs in Lily O’Neill, Sarah Doyle and Wexford Youths soccer player Maeve O’Neill. The BT girls kept plugging away but a goal from Old Leighlin put the game beyond reach despite late scores from Sinead Hayden (2) and Leah Mullins.
Outstanding for BT in this game were goalie Shannen Cotter, Leanne Corcoran, Ruth Bermingham, Nuala Mohan, Leah Mullins, Audrey Murphy, Elaine Ware and Liz Lowry.
Bennekerry/Tinryland: Shannen Cotter, Ruth Bermingham, Leanne Corcoran, Marie Cranny, Leah Mullins 0-1, Deirdre Tomlinson, Nuala Mohan, Audrey Murphy, Fiona O’Sullivan 1-0, Ellie Dowling, Sinead Hayden 0-3, Liz Lowry, Niamh Brophy, Elaine Ware, Katie Bullen. Subs: Lily O’Neill, Sarah Doyle, Maeve O’Neill, Orla Delaney Jane Bullen.
Old Leighlin: Nicole Hanley, Keeva Collins, Anne Roche, Michelle Dermody, Niamh Forde, Emma Brennan, Amy Hanley, Helen Roche, Caoimhe O’Neill, Aoibhinn Gilmartin, Rachel Sawyer, Siofra O’Neill, Gemma Carpenter, Jenny sawyer, Niamh Roche. Subs: Aoife Roche, Eibhe Lawler, Bronagh Nolan, Niamh Bambrick
Referee Marion Hayden ( Eire Og)
