Comeragh Rangers eventually reel in Aghada to secure Munster final berth

Comeragh Rangers joint-captains Emma Murray and Keeley Corbett Barry lift a first-ever senior title for their club. They have now qualified for a first-ever Munster final. Photo: Eddie Dee

Munster Senior Club Ladies' Football Championship semi-final: Aghada 1-7 Comeragh Rangers 1-8 

Comeragh Rangers were behind until the 51st minute. They didn’t lead until the second minute of additional time. But they were ahead two minutes later when the final whistle blew.

Their hero in their Waterford senior decider in Dungarvan was Katie Murray. Their hero on Sunday in Rostellan was Aoibhe Shankley. 

She notched 1-2, all in the final 16 minutes. Her winning score at the death fired Comeragh Rangers into their first-ever Munster Senior Club Ladies' Football Championship final.

After such an impressive first half, it’s a punch in the mouth for the Cork club. But when Shankley’s outstanding shot struck the post and went into the back of the net, it spelled concern.

That goal took the lead from five points to two.

Rangers split the posts twice in the next five minutes to draw parity. Ten to go.

Mary Leahy kicked a superb point for Aghada to regain the lead after 53 minutes. They held that lead for a further five and a half.

But Emma Murray, whose effort was exceptional throughout levelled it once more, before Shankley would complete the comeback.

After bringing an end to Ballymacarbry’s 42-year reign in Waterford, Comeragh faced another tough ask. Again they came through.

Aghada’s Munster dream falls, but without two key starters in Emma Farmer and Cork senior Rachel Leahy, they needed the best from everyone.

Centre-forward Kaitlin Smith was up for that challenge, so too was Sarah Leahy at the back. As a collective though, their turnovers proved costly in the end.

Heartbreaking after such a flying start.

Within 29 seconds they were ahead through Roisin Phelan. Three minutes later they hit the back of the net, with Christine Moran pouncing a mistake.

They continued to move the ball well through the lines even as the scoring opportunities dwindled. They held that four-point advantage at the break, never allowing their opponents to get closer than two.

Aghada should have done more to punish Comeragh’s first-half wide count of five.

But an equally fast start to the second half returned points from Kaitlin Smith and Phelan inside two minutes. That should have been enough to see them through to the decider.

They remained five in front for a further 12 minutes but Shankley’s goal turned the game on its head, and Aghada couldn’t hold out.

Scorers for Aghada: R Phelan (0-4), C Moran (1-0), B Smith, K Smith, M Leahy (0-1 each). 

Scorers for Comeragh Rangers: A Shankley (1-2), K Murray, E Power (free), M Power, K Corbett Barry, A Connolly, E Murray (0-1 each).

AGHADA: S Walsh; A Cooper, S McAllister, B Wall; M McRae, Y Burgoyne, A Smith; R Phelan (c), S Leahy; M Leahy, K Smith, C Walsh; C Moran, H Looney, B Smith. Subs: K O’Farrell for Wall (40), A Coughlan for Moran (47). 

COMERAGH RANGERS: A Norris; N Dunphy, T Kelly, O Kennedy; C Hassett, C Murray, A Murray; E Murray (jc), K Corbett Barry (jc); A Power, K Murray, M Power; C Power, E Power, A Shankley. Subs: S Dunphy for C Power (HT), A Connolly for Hassett (48), S Connolly for A Murray (54), E Bolger for M Power (57).

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (St Senan’s, Kerry)