AIG DUBLIN FEILE DIV 1 FINAL MATCH REPORT
AIG DUBLIN FEILE DIVISION ONE
FOXROCK/CABINTEELY……………………………. 0-6
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S…………………………. 0-4
By Daire Walsh
They were pushed all the way by Ballyboden St Enda’s on the day, but Foxrock/Cabinteely ultimately prevailed at the end of a tense Dublin Feile Division One decider at St Peregrine’s GAA in Blakestown on Sunday afternoon.
There was never more than three points separating the sides at any stage, but with wing-forward Jennifer Hamill playing a starring role, Fox/Cab held out in the closing moments to secure their fourth Dublin Feile title.
They have also won the All-Ireland Feile crown on two occasions (including a memorable triumph over Corofin back in 2005), and are certain to be strong representatives for the county in the near future.
‘Boden’s ‘B’ side had lost out to Erin’s Isle in the 10am Division Three curtain-raiser, and were eager to come away from Blakestown with some silverware to their name. They had defeated Na Fianna and Clanna Gael Fontenoy in Group B of the competition on Saturday, before getting the better of Clontarf in ruthless fashion during their subsequent semi-final outing (4-5 to 1-2).
Like their opponents, Fox/Cab were victorious against Na Fianna and Clontarf en route to this showdown, and also enjoyed successes over Lucan Sarsfields and Kilmacud Crokes in Group A. With a large crowd assembling in the Peregrine’s stand, anticipation was quite high for this game, and Fox/Cab broke the deadlock with a Sinead Flannery point from the opening attack.
It was proving to be a scrappy beginning to the proceedings, however, with some injury stoppages disrupting the flow of the play. ‘Boden started to find their feet, though, and from a left-hand angle, Auveen O’Neill kicked a fifth-minute score for the south-siders.
This was the morale-boost that Colm Bolger’s girls needed, and following excellent approach work from Jennifer Hanrahan, Grace O’Neill kicked a fine point on the turn. There was no reason for Fox/Cab to panic just yet, though, and they levelled matters in the ninth-minute with a successful 30-metre free by Hamill.
The required substitutions on 10 minutes allowed both management teams to introduce fresh legs into their respective line-ups, but it was Fox/Cab who had the more productive finish to the first-half. Industrious play from Flannery provided the platform for Megan Dempsey to find the range, and at the end of a fine attacking move, Hamill was on target for the Kilbogget Park side – who brought a 0-4 to 0-2 cushion into the interval.
‘Boden were still in contention upon the resumption, but if they were to swing the pendulum in their direction, they needed to curb the influence of Hamill and Flannery. However, Hamill was making significant inroads for Fox/Cab, and she cut inside from the left-wing to kick another outstanding point in the 16th-minute.
With neither side cutting loose in the opposition half, this score was becoming increasingly important in the overall context of the game. ‘Boden persevered with their challenge, however, and midfielder Michaela Fitzpatrick broke free for her team’s first point in all of 20 minutes.
This offered a much-needed lift to St Enda’s during a difficult spell, and when Grace Lawlor split the posts under severe pressure, it was a one-point game once more. While normal time was almost up at this point, a series of stoppages ensured that there was a total of seven minutes of injury-time at the end of an enthralling spectacle.
This acted as an incentive for ‘Boden, but despite their best endeavours, a 33rd-minute Hamill free helped Foxrock/Cabinteely to keep their counterparts at bay.
Scorers – Foxrock/Cabinteely: Jennifer Hamill 0-4 (2f), Megan Dempsey, Sinead Flannery 0-1 each. Ballyboden St Enda’s: Auveen O’Neill, Grace O’Neill, Michaela Fitzpatrick, Grace Lawlor 0-1 each.
FOXROCK/CABINTEELY: Emily Foster Ryan; Aoife Mangan, Ada Green, Ciara Mahon; Naoise Curry, Rebecca Duffy, Orlagh O’Reilly; Ali McCarthy, Alice Walsh; Megan Dempsey, Orla O’Brien, Jennifer Hamill; Sinead Flannery, Caitlin Walsh, Gile Martin.
Subs: Ella O’Donohue, Sadhbh Duffy, Sarah Foley, Ella O’Donnell, Alannah Walsh.
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: Romy Warwick; Katie McCabe, Leah Moran, Hannah Byrne; Sarah O’Connell, Katie Quinlivan, Mia Smith; Lana Hayes, Michaela Fitzpatrick; Julie Vaughan, Hollie Bolger, Jennifer Hanrahan; Grace O’Neill, Jennifer Foley, Auveen O’Neill.