LGFA - Ballinteer St Johns win PTSB Junior L Final following a thrilling contest with Fingallians

PTSB Dublin LGFA Junior L Club Championship Final

Ballinteer St John’s C 3-11 Fingallians D 2-11

Report by Cóilín Duffy

Ballinteer St John’s C survived a determined second-half comeback from Fingallians D to claim PTSB Dublin LGFA Junior L Championship honours, after an entertaining and closely fought encounter under the St. Margarets GAA Club floodlights on Wednesday evening.

Goals proved decisive for Ballinteer, who did most of the damage during an impressive opening half and carried an eight-point advantage into the interval.

Fingallians struck first when Nicole Weldon found the net after just four minutes, but their lead lasted barely a minute as Juliet Wall replied with a goal for Ballinteer.

Aisling Power followed with a point before Heather Bourke struck Ballinteer’s second goal in the eighth minute. Eleanor Bourke converted a free and Ellie Watters added a point from play as Ballinteer began to take control.

Their third goal arrived through Danielle Clune after 12 minutes, while Clodagh Comiskey, Watters and Katie McGrath all contributed points during a strong period for St John’s.

Fingallians remained dangerous, however. Orla Keeling opened her account with a point before raising a green flag after 24 minutes. Keeling added another point before the break, but Ballinteer still led 3-7 to 2-2 at half-time.

The complexion of the contest changed after the restart as Fingallians gradually reduced the deficit. Weldon landed the first point of the half before Power responded for Ballinteer.

Aisling O’Malley replied for Fingallians, but Watters restored Ballinteer’s advantage with her fourth point of the contest. Keeling then became increasingly influential, registering two quick points midway through the half as Fingallians gathered momentum.

Katie McGrath’s second point handed Ballinteer a 3-10 to 2-6 lead in the 51st minute, but the pressure continued as the next 10 minutes belonged to Fingallians. Keeling converted a free before substitute Emer Keeling marked her introduction with a point from play.

Another Keeling free and a point from O’Malley left Fingallians within striking distance entering injury time. Keeling converted her third free to reduce the margin further, but Ballinteer responded when Comiskey scored her second point in the 63rd minute.

That proved to be the insurance score as St John’s held firm to secure a three-point victory.

Ballinteer’s greater goal threat ultimately made the difference. Watters finished with four points, while Wall, Bourke and Clune supplied the three goals. Power, McGrath and Comiskey scored two points apiece, with Eleanor Bourke converting their only successful placed ball.

Keeling was outstanding for Fingallians, finishing with 1-7, including three frees, while Weldon contributed 1-1.

After the game Ballinteer St. John’s captain Eleanor Burke received the Cup from Dublin LGFA Vice Chairperson Declan Patton, while Aisling Power was honoured as Player of the Match.

Ballinteer St John’s C: Ava Fehilly; Aoife Donohue, Ellen O’Callaghan, Caoimhe Comerford; Layla Morrison, Anna McGrath, Brenda Murphy; Ellie Watters (0-4), Aisling Power (0-2); Eleanor Bourke (0-1, 0-1 free), Katie McGrath (0-2), Clodagh Comiskey (0-2); Heather Bourke (1-0), Juliet Wall (1-0); Danielle Clune (1-0).

Subs: Sarah Maher, Bria Hedden, Siuan Donnion, Aoife Magee, Maria McAuliffe, Lilly Feely, Emily Powell, Grace O’Kennedy, Aoife Ryan, Aoife Muldowney, Ciara Ryle, Jane Gleeson, Nell Carr, Amy Allan, Rebecca Wheeler.

Fingallians D: Caitlin Lundy; Jasmin Brown, Suzie Lewis, Grace Snow; Caoimhe Murphy, Karen Hudson, Rebecca Clarke; Sarah McCloskey, Liadán McCarthy; Aisling O’Malley (0-2), Orla Keeling (1-7, 0-3 frees), Clare Maxwell; Niamh Donaghue, Nicole Weldon (1-1), Lucy Logan.

Subs: Stephanie Woods, Cara Byrne, Sarah Kennedy, Grace Cooney, Muireann Connelly, Niamh Murphy, Sophie Mongey, Cliodhna McCarthy, Cliodhna Scully, Emer Keeling (0-1), Salma Brimah, Stacy Walsh, Líle O’Connor, Aoife O’Neill, Sarah Deegan.

Referee: Paul Cullivan (St. Anne’s)

PTSB Player of the Match: Aisling Power (Ballinteer St Johns).