Strong second half seals fourth successive All-Ireland for the Jackies
By Daire Walsh
Dublin produced a powerful second half display at Croke Park this afternoon to claim their fourth consecutive All-Ireland senior ladies football championship title.
Trailing opponents Cork by three points (1-3 to 0-3) at the break, the Jackies turned on the style after the resumption – outscoring the Leesiders on a margin of 1-7 to 0-2.
Following the success of Dessie Farrell’s men at the same venue the night before, this completed another fine year for the county’s senior footballers.
Thomas Davis’ Siobhan McGrath played a significant part in this triumph, starting alongside Leah Caffrey and Sinead Goldrick in the Blues’ half-back line.
Ballinteer St John’s defender Orlagh Nolan replaced Aoife Kane in the 47th-minute, while Ciara McGuigan (Thomas Davis), Niamh Sweeney (Ballinteer) and Abby Shiels (Lucan Sarsfields) were also part of the panel for this latest Brendan Martin Cup victory.
Dublin’s quest to regain their title suffered an early set-back when Cork attacker Áine Terry O’Sullivan rattled the net with just two minutes on the clock.
Nicole Owens, Sinead Aherne and Noelle Healy did post points for the holders during the opening period, but it was the Rebelettes who were in the driving seat at the interval.
However, after Kane broke forward to kick a fine point, Carla Rowe converted a 34th-minute penalty to edge Dublin into the ascendancy.
A brace of frees from the Clann Mhuire star offered the Jackies considerable breathing space, before Cork eventually fired back through Ciara O’Sullivan.
Dublin’s lead was down to two points with just nine minutes remaining on the clock, but they discovered an extra gear in the closing moments.
Owens, Healy and Rowe (free) all raised white flags to seal a convincing win for the Metropolitans.