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PTSB Dublin LGFA Senior Club Championship Final
Kilmacud Crokes 0-16 Clontarf 0-10
Report by Cóilín Duffy
Kilmacud Crokes produced an impressive second-half display to pull away from Clontarf and deliver their fifth PTSB Dublin LGFA Senior Club Championship title in a row before a large attendance at Parnell Park, Donnycarney on Friday evening.
The sides were deadlocked at half-time, before the Stillorgan side took a lead they wouldn’t relinquish four minutes after the restart holding Clontarf to just one-point in the third quarter.
Little separated the teams throughout an evenly contested opening half, with both sides making the most of frees conceded by their opponents.
‘PTSB Player of the Match’ Niamh Cotter opened the scoring from a free inside two minutes before Ciara O’Connor responded in kind for Clontarf. Cotter doubled her tally from another free and Sadhbh Murphy landed the first score from play to move Crokes 0-3 to 0-1 ahead.
Clontarf responded strongly through Ellen Leddy Doyle. She converted two frees before adding a point from play to edge her side in front.
Murphy and Michelle Davoren struck successive points from play as Crokes regained the initiative, while Cotter converted her third free of the opening half. O’Connor replied with her second free before Niamh Hetherton’s point from play ensured the teams went in level at half-time, 0-6 apiece.
Crokes raised the tempo considerably after the restart.
Cotter converted her fourth free of the contest before Ailbhe Davoren opened her account from play. O’Connor briefly kept Clontarf in touch with another free, but Davoren struck again before Liadan Murphy converted a free and Sadhbh Murphy added her third point.
A potentially pivotal moment arrived midway through the second half when Clontarf were awarded a penalty. Ailbhe Clancy stepped forward, but her effort was saved by Crokes keeper Dearbhla Gower, denying Clontarf the opportunity to dramatically reduce the deficit.
Crokes capitalised on that reprieve. Cotter converted her fifth free before Davoren landed her third point from play, and Cotter followed with her sixth successful free as Kilmacud established a commanding advantage, pushing seven points clear for the first time on a 0-14 to 0-7 score-line.
Leddy Doyle stopped the run with a free before O’Connor registered Clontarf’s third and final point from play with eight minutes of normal time remaining.
Crokes were then temporarily reduced when Sinead O’Donoghue received a yellow card, with O’Connor converting another free as Clontarf attempted to mount a late recovery.
Crokes remained composed despite the numerical disadvantage. Cotter converted her seventh free shortly before the end of normal time to put further daylight between the teams.
Michelle Davoren subsequently received Crokes’ second yellow card in added time, but Clontarf could not take advantage. Cotter fittingly completed the scoring in the 64th minute, converting her eighth free to round off an excellent individual display.
Cotter’s flawless eight-from-eight return from frees was central to the victory, while Ailbhe Davoren and Sadhbh Murphy contributed three points apiece from play.
After the game on behalf of the Murphy family, John Murphy presented the Michael Murphy memorial cup to a jubilant Kilmacud Crokes captain Éabha Rutledge.
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