Cromane claim Munster LGFA Junior title after dominant 23 point win over St Patrick's

CHAMPIONS: Cromane were crowned AIB Munster LGFA Junior Club Champions after a dominant 23 point victory over St Patrick’s at Mallow GAA Complex

Munster Ladies Football JFC final: Cromane (Kerry) 6-17 St Patricks (Tipperary) 2-6

Cromane were crowned AIB Munster LGFA Junior Club Champions after a dominant 23 point victory over St Patrick’s at Mallow GAA Complex, delivering a superb all-round performance that showcased pace, precision and power. Led by the player of the match Eimear Burke, Roisín Griffin and Mary Kate Smith, the Kerry side took control early and never looked back.

Cromane made a lightning start, with Burke and Mary Kate Smith on target before Griffin struck the first goal after eight minutes. St Patrick’s responded through an Éabha Hogan penalty, but Cromane were relentless in attack. Burke hit 1-7 in a blistering first half, and with further scores from Leona O’Sullivan and Sián Corkery, they surged to a 2-11 to 1-4 half-time lead.

Any hopes of a comeback by the Tipperary champions were swiftly dashed after the restart. Roisín Griffin completed her hat-trick with goals in the 33rd and 36th minutes, while Mairín Duffy also found the net soon after – a sublime pass from Griffin dissecting the St Patricks defence. Éabha Hogan battled bravely for St Patrick’s with a second goal and another couple of points, but Cromane’s finishing power told.

A late goal from Maggie Quirke and further points from Eimear Burke and Mary Kate Smith sealed a famous win for Cromane, marking a memorable day for the Kerry champions in Mallow.

Scorers for Cromane: E Burke 1-9 (1f), R Griffin 3-1 (1f), M Duffy 1-1, M Quirke 1-0, M K Smith 0-3, L O’Sullivan 0-2, S Corkery 0-1.

Scorers for St Patricks: É Hogan 2-3, C Fitzgerald 0-2, N Keane 0-1.

CROMANE: E Murphy, A O'Donovan, O Burke, S O'Donovan, N Burke, O Dunphy, S Corkery, L O'Sullivan, R Smith, M Duffy (capt), M K Smith, E O'Sullivan, R Griffin, E Burke, S Harkin.

Subs: M E Mc Donnell for A O’Donovan (HT), M Quirke for O Burke (HT), K Roche for N Burke (54), S Clifford for M Duffy (56), L Griffin for E O’Sullivan (59) 

ST PATRICKS: Dearbhla Morrissey, Laura Murphy, Erin O'Brien, Rosie O'Brien, Kate Fox, Maria McGrath, Ailise Fitzgerald, Leanne Murphy, Niamh Keane, Izzy Maher, Lucy O'Brien, Eimear Boland, Claire Fitzgerald, Éabha Hogan (capt), Clodagh Foley.

Subs: J Strappe for N Keane (40), K Ryan for K Fox (48), E Fox for C Foley (48), A Heffernan for R O’Brien (55), G Gahan for E O’Brien (57).

Referee: J Murphy (Cork).