Dominant Eadestown make it four Championships on the trot
Eadestown 5-11
Sarsfields 0-12
Eadestown were crowned senior chamionship winners for the fourth time in a row and the fifth time in six seasons following their comprehensive victory over a young Sarsfields side at Manguard Park on Friday evening.
Eadestown have been the dominant teamin Ladies football over the last number of years and if this display is anything to go on, they could be dominating for a fair few years to come.
Manager Liam McLoughlin was over-joyed with his side's victory while also having time to commend Sarsfields for their efforts, especially as they only won their semi-final three nights previously.
“I thing our bit of experience at this level that got us over the line tonight, while our work rate was exceptional.”
A calm and dry evening in Manguard Park meant conditions were perfect for this championship decider.
Sarsfields were fresh from a semi-final win only three days earlier and the question on everyone's lips was it too soon for the Sash ladies to have to line out again.
Sarsfields started the brightest and Roisín Byrne had them in front after 2 minutes, from a free.
Elaine Keogh doubled that a minute later with a fine individual score, cutting in along the endline before firingover from a tight angle.
Eadestown were starting to settle as Laura Byrne and Grace Clifford were getting on top around the middle. Tara Bedford registered their opening point on five before Grainne Kenneally and Grace Clifford combined to set up Sara Carroll for the games opening goal as Eadestown moved into a lead they would never relinquish.
Roisín Byrne, who was been closely marked, added a second free on 9 before Eadestown struck back a minute later with their second goal.
Again it was the combination of Kenneally and Clifford who worked the chance for Grace and the county captain didn't disappoint with a brilliant finish.
As we passed the end of the opening quarter Eadestown had moved five ahead.
Roisín Byrne and Siobhan O'Sullivan swapped points before Erin Healy reduced the gap further but Eadestown finished the half the stronger to lead 3-4 to 0-5 at the break. The third goal arrived on the stroke of half time as corner back Aine Mernagh found herself inside the Sarsfields rearguard and from Aoife Clifford's pass she opened up that eight point advantage.
Sarsfields were slow to return and they bit two quick points from Roisín Byrne and Elaine Keogh as they tried to eat into the deficit.
Eadestown quickly found their rhythm again and their superior strength and mobility were causing Sarsfields problems.
Jessica Harney and Maryann Ryan, up from corner back, extended the lead before goal number four arrived.
A short kickout from Emma Lyons was intercepted by Eadestown captain Siobhan O'Sullivan and she quickly played in Tara Bedford for a simple finish.
In fairness to Sarsfields they never stopped trying to create scores but with Roisín Byrne having to drift out the field it was harder to convert the chances that came their way.
Ruth Sargent, Grace Clifford and Siobhan O'Sullivan all added points as the winning line was in sight.
The hard working county minor Abaigh Cahill added one of the scores of the game. Winning possession some fifty metres out she off-loaded to Aoife Clifford continued her run before Grace Clifford set her up for a neat finish.
As injury time beckoned Roisín Byrne and Brooke Dunne hit late Sarsfields points but the champions had time for a fifth goal. Kate Murphy, who wasn't long on field, got on the end of Sioban O'Sullivan's pass to provide a finish that belied her young age.
When Darren Malone, who had a super game, blew on 64 minutes the celebrations began for the Eadestown contingent.
A Leinster quarter final on October 22 away to the Offaly champions awaits for Liam McLoughlin's charges. On this performance they can look forward to the campaign with alot of confidence.
Sarsfields will be disappointed with back-to-back final defeats but with the influx of so many young players this year, this setback will only make them more determined to come back again.
EADESTOWN: Siobhan Tierney, Aine Mernagh 1-0, Denise Tierney, Maryann Ryan 0-1, Roisin Eillis, Ruth Sargent 0-1, Laura Byrne, Aoife Clifford, Grace Clifford 1-2, Abaigh Cahill 0-2, Grainne Kenneally 0-1, Jessica Harney 0-1, Tara Bedford 1-1, Siobhan O'Sullivan 0-2 (1 free), Sara Carroll 1-0. subs: Sophie Cullen for Sara Carroll 50; Aine Ni Raghallagh for Roisin Eillis 51; Kate Harney for Maryann Ryan 5; Kate Murphy 1-0 for Tara Bedford 56.
SARSFIELDS: Emma Lyons, Lily O'Connor, Fran McGhee Behan, Ciara Salmon, Brooke Dunne 0-1, Muireann O Loughlin, Elaine Keogh 0-2, Siofra Galvin 0-1, Anna O'Donnell, Erin Healy 0-2, Danielle Clerkin Kaye, Roisín Byrne 0-6 (2 frees), Shauna Kendrick. Subs: Sophie Murphy for Ciara Salmon 45; Aoibhinn Murphy for Ali Kaye 52; Zara Beatty for Muireann O'Loughlin 53.
REFEREE: Darren Malone.