Kinawley 7-13 Derrygonnelly 0-08

Any thought of an upset in this league final were quickly dispelled as reigning champions Kinawley blew the challenge of Derrygonnelly out of the water in the opening quarter.

A goal each in the first 15 minutes from the Boru’s full forward line of Niamh McManus, Joanne Doonan and Aine McManus pushed them into a 13 point lead by the first water break.

For Kinawley manager, Kevin Gilleece he was impressed with how his side started and said it gave his side a platform to build from and really killed off any challenge from Derrygonelly.

“We started off just real positive and hit a couple early goals and points and really at the first water break the game was probably out of sight.

“Derrygonnelly were up against it and we were on top in midfield.

“The purple patch, you always get it through some game and the early scores effectively killed them off.”

Gilleece also paid tribute to the younger players in his squad who have made a huge impact this season.

“We have six minors playing on that team and they have just fitted in so easily. Training with them girls and playing with them has brought them on leaps and bounds.”

Garry Smyth, Derrygonnelly manager was disappointed with the start for his side but was pleased with certain aspects of his side’s performance against such a quality side.

“We would be disappointed with the start that we got and once Kinawley got momentum it was difficult to stem the initial pressure that they applied.

“Fair play to them, they showed all their experience and undoubted talent.

“I was happy with the performance that our girls put in after such a poor start. I’d be content with certain elements of the performance and how the girls kept working away and played some good passages of football and it is all part of the learning process for what is a young team.

The early goals were accompanied by points from McManus, Doonan and Roisin O’Reilly while the Harps could only muster a solitary score from Eimear Smyth to leave it 3-05 to 0-01 after the first quarter.

Kinawley plundered two further goals when play resumed through O’Reilly and Aine McManus as the gap widened even further.

The Harps did manage to hit scores from Smyth, Brenda Bannon and and Imelda Jones but they were finding it very difficult against a tenacious and disciplined Kinawley defence.

Doonan and Lauren Murphy were on target for the winners while Smyth hit a fine score for Derrygonnelly as the first half ended 5-10 to 0-06.

Points were shared between the sides at the start of the second half, Doonan and Bannon the scorers for their respective teams before Kinawley found the net for the sixth time.

An attempted shot from centre back Courtney Murphy dropped short and Naomi Cathcart who was introduced as a substitute got her hand to the ball and directed it to the net.

Smyth, who was to have a fine battle with Eimear Keenan throughout the match, hit another score for Derrygonnelly, while the impressive Doonan added to her tally.

Kinawley’s seventh goal of the contest came shortly after.

This time it was Doonan, after a long run saw her attempted shot fall short and substitute Alannah Maher was there to put the ball in the net as the Boru’s made it three consecutive league titles with a convincing 26 point victory.