In a unique all-Limerick final, St. Kieran’s (Ardagh/Carrigkerry/Kilcolman/Coolcappagh) overcame St. Senan’s of Foynes/Shanagolden to capture the All-Ireland Junior Women’s Championship at Abbotstown, Dublin.
Out of an initial entry of 30 teams, it was remarkable that it was two Limerick sides which met in the final at the weekend.
Both teams ran onto the pitch from the tunnel in the stand to a guard of honour of their club flags being enthusiastically waved by children and to the pumping beat of their chosen run-on songs – Dreams by The Cranberries for St. Kieran’s and Free from Desire by Gala for St. Senan’s.
Following the official photographs, and the National Anthem sung by Máire Dinneen (St. Kieran’s), the game started mid-morning on Sunday.
Kieran’s won the toss and elected to field first. The first innings was a period of settlement and shaking off nerves and ended with four runs scored by each team.
Senan’s second turn at bat saw them bring another four runners home. They followed this up with three quick outs while fielding, leaving the score at 8-4 at the top of the third.
To their immense credit, St. Kieran’s fielded expertly, getting three of the first four St. Senan’s batters out and not allowing any scores to be added.
They followed this up with an excellent batting innings, where six of their players got home. Heading into the fourth, it was 10-8 to St. Kieran’s. Once again, their fielding was spot on and three outs were secured before any runer could get home.
Ian Sheehy’s Senan’s fielding was also excellent in the fourth and they kept St. Kieran’s scoreless.
Which means that, heading into the fifth and final innings, Senan’s needed to score two runs to draw and force Kieran’s to bat again.
While pitcher Louise Kelly did get home, she was the only Senan’s player to do so and the game ended 10(4)-9(5) to Kieran’s.
The winners were coached by sports enthusiast Michael Sheahan, former Mayor of Limerick, while centre outfield Sandra Walsh was selected as Player-of-the-Match.
St. Kieran’s: Deirdre Ambrose (pitcher), Siobhán Halligan (back stop), Emma Galvin (short stop, captain), Linda Clifford (base 1), Ashley Redmond (base 2), Caitriona Hough (base 3), Ellie Bucke (right outfield), Sandra Walsh (centre outfield), Stephanie Downes (left outfield).
Substitutes: Ashling O’Sullivan, Laura O’Keeffe, Majella O’Connor, Grainne Enright, Mareta O’Donovan, Noreen O’Mara, Natalia Bezus, Maire Crowley.
St. Senan’s: Louise Kelly, Dorothy Cullagh, Eimear O’Malley, Eileen Shine, Bríd Walsh, Dympna O’Brien, Kyra Hogan (captain), Gráinne Noonan, Josephine Hickey.
Substitutes: Catríona Hanlon, Ciara O’Donovan, Ruth Sheehy, Louise Heffron, Tara Hogan, Aoife O’Connell, Avril Sheehy.
Referee: Jay Hall (Galway Raparees).
Meanwhile, Senan’s meet St. Clare’s (Cavan) in the Men’s Intermediate Final at the Offaly GAA Centre of Excellence this Sunday.
Rounders is a bat-and-ball game governed by the GAA.