Full-forward Orlaith Roche struck a brace of impressive goals at Croke Park on Saturday as Glanmire claimed the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship with an emphatic triumph over Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins.
All-Ireland junior champions in 2018, Vincy Barry’s Cork outfit had eight different scorers as they convincingly secured their second national title of recent years.
Roisin McHugh led the way for Ballinamore with 0-5. Aoibheann Flynn rattled the net but the Connacht champions came up short at the end of a memorable season.
Glanmire enjoyed the perfect start when attacker Michael Dullea released full-forward Roche for a smooth goal with just over 90 seconds gone in the contest.
Ballinamore responded with a point from November’s Croke Park/LGFA Player of the Month McHugh, but Glanmire subsequently raised a second green flag on nine minutes.
Evie Twomey fired clinically beyond the reach of opposition netminder Leighanne Flynn. A routine Dullea free moved the Leesiders six points clear.
Ballinamore came roaring into the contest on 13 minutes. Aoibheann Flynn superbly hammered home a goal for the Connacht champions.
However it was only a minor speed bump for Glanmire who registered unanswered points. Dullea, Cork senior star Abbie O’Mahony, Ava McCarthy and Ally McCarthy all on target.
Ballinamore fired back with a second McHugh point. However, efforts from Roche and Evie Twomey helped Glanmire establish a commanding 2-7 to 1-2 interval lead.
Ballinamore comeback falls down
Indeed Ballinamore were offered a reprieve early in the second-half. Leighanne Flynn came to their rescue with an excellent penalty save from Glanmire captain Ellen Twomey.
McHugh then pointed her second free of the game to bring fresh life to their challenge.
Yet Glanmire continued to attack with a real purpose. Goals from Roche and Niamh McAllen gave them a 13-point cushion on 42 minutes (4-7 to 1-3).
McHugh had a penalty saved by Glanmire’s Ava Carey as Ballinamore fought gallantly inside the final-quarter.
But with substitute Riona Crowley finally converting a spot-kick on 58 minutes, the Cork women secured the crown in fine style.
Glanmire: A Carey; E Dillon (A O’Lehan 47), M Barry, K O’Connor; C O’Donovan (C Murphy 42), Ellen Twomey, A Fitzgerald; A O’Mahony, E Murphy; Ally McCarthy, N McAllen, Ava McCarthy (R Crowley 42); Evie Twomey, O Roche (A McAllen 47), M Dullea.
Scorers: O Roche 2-1, Evie Twomey 1-1, N McAllen, R Crowley 1-0, M Dullea 0-3 (2f), A O’Mahony, Ally McCarthy, Ava McCarthy 0-1 each.
Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins: L Flynn; D McGourty (L Maguire 40), A Sweeney, E Honeyman (A McGoldrick 58); L Maguire (C McGoldrick 26), M Murphy (E McKiernan 54), G Prior; M McGovern, C O’Dowd, L O’Dowd, R McHugh, L Moran; A Flynn, S McLoughlin, L Murphy.
Scorers: R McHugh 0-5 (4f), A Flynn 1-0, C O’Dowd 0-1.
Referee: Siobhan Coyle (Donegal).
