Davitts 4-6  St. Brigids 2-8

Davitts Ladies got the better of St. Brigids in the County Junior final on Sunday in Bonniconlon after a very closely matched contest. The quality of football was of a high standard from both sides throughout with Davitts scoring goals at vital times to claim their first ever County title.

Katie Melvin opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute with a point for Davitts but a brace from Deirbhle McHale for St. Brigids in the 3^rd and fifth minutes put her side ahead. In the sixth minute Katie Melvin and Eilis Ronayne combined to set up the excellent Aoife Meehan for a Davitts goal to put them ahead again. Yvonne Gilroy pointed for Brigids in the ninth minute but four minutes later Aoife Meehan struck a Davitts point followed by a terrific goal after great work from the very influential Eilis Ronayne to put Davitts five points ahead. Brigids responded well though and an Yvonne Gilroy point was followed by a Megan Bilbow goal and an Ailbhe McHale point to leave the sides level at the first water break.

The second quarter was much cagier. Brigids regained the lead in the 26^th minute with a Megan Bilbow point but just on the stroke of half time, Eilis Ronayne goaled for Davitts, a great strike after Abbiegayle Ronayne and Rebbecca Waldron created the chance. This left Davitts ahead by 3-2 to 1-6 at halftime.

Ciara Nyland extended the lead in the 32^nd minute but a St. Brigids goal, cooly scored from the penalty spot after substitute Sarah McCormick was brought down, levelled the game again in the 38^th minute. A fine Rebecca Waldron point in the 45^th minute gave Davitts the lead again just before the second waterbreak. In the next minute a Ciara Nyland free kick ended up in the Brigids net and further points from Ciara Nyland and Katie Melvin put Davitts firmly into the driving seat.

Brigids needed a goal but stellar defending from the outstanding Waldron sisters, Michelle and Laura, Becky Kearns, Ciara Clarke and Eilis Ronayne meant that they were restricted to just two points in the final ten minutes as Davitts saw the game out well.

Brigids had great displays from Sorcha McGee, Aisling and Megan Bilbow, Aisling and Melanie Moyles, Yvonne Gilroy and Jacinta Munnelly.

Davitts: Laura Corless, Lianne Daly, Becky Kearns, Michelle Waldron, Edel Fahy, Laura Waldron, Aoife Conway, Sinead Heneghan, Rebecca Waldron (0-1), Ciara Clarke, Eilis Ronayne (1-0), Emma Corless, Aoife Meehan (2-1), Ciara Nyland (1-2), Katie Melvin (0-2). Subs used: Abbiegayle Ronayne, Bernie O Gara, Saoirse Melvin, Lorna Bourke.

St. Brigids: Emma Munnelly, Sinead McDonnell, Sorcha McGee, Saoirse Gallagher, Aisling Bilbow, Michelle Moyles, Melanie Moyles, Yvonne Gilroy (0-2), Megan Bilbow (1-2), Ava McDonnell, Deirbhle McHale (0-2), Ailbhe McHale (0-1), Jacinta Munnelly (1-1). Subs used: Sarah McCormick, Keeva McDonnell.

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