Munster LGFA Club Semi Final: Banner Ladies 3-17 Mourneabbey 4-13 (AET)
A stellar showing from Banner Ladies saw the Clare champions overcome Cork powerhouses Mourneabbey after an extra-time epic in Cusack Park.
In a game that had it all, it was ultimately the class of Niamh O’Dea that was the difference between the sides as the county star finished with a tally of 3-6, including the decisive final goal with two minutes to play in the added period.
It was a fitting end to the game, with the Banner showing huge composure to respond to the concession of what could have been a hammer blow goal just five minutes earlier which had left the visitors to Ennis ahead by two points.
Indeed, with the clock looking like it was running out at the end of normal time, Cork star Ciara O’Sullivan raided for a goal to level the sides and send the game to the extra period. That wasn’t without its controversy either, as the indicated additional time was not elapsed before the full-time whistle blew, leaving both sides querying as to how the game was ended.
There was nothing between the sides throughout the contest, with the Banner holding a two point lead at the half-time break. Niamh O’Dea found the net inside the opening five minutes to give the Banner an early stranglehold, but a well dispatched penalty for Mourneabbey arrested that early momentum.
A fortunate second goal for the Cork side arrived in the 19th minute to put them into the lead, with a deflection just taking the ball beyond Shannen O’Donovan in the Banner goal.
The remaining four scores came the way of the home side in Cusack Park to give them back the lead, which could even have been greater had Louise Henchy’s penalty been well saved by Abbie Hayes.
The third quarter belonged to Mourneabbey who showed great experience to wrest back control of the contest, and they had edged in front by 1-9 to 2-7 with 10 minutes of normal time to play.
Niamh O’Dea slotted home her second goal to swing the momentum back in favour of her side, and further points from Grainne Nolan and Aoibhín Ryan saw them lead by three points with time running out.
There was time for that late twist to bring the game to extra-time, and it was O’Dea who was the heroine once more as she slotted home a quality finish to give the Banner what was a deserved victory, and another shot at Munster glory.
