The final stages of the Allianz Rackard League competitions are approaching with all remaining finals down for decision this week.
Kilmore girls secured the Roinn A title in impressive fashion before the mid term and the Allianz Roinn B and C titles will be decided on Wednesday in St.Patrick’s Park. The Allianz Roinn C Final will see a Cathedral town derby between St. Aidan’s and St. Senan’s at 6pm. Both sides have been impressive throughout the campaign. Aideen Byrne, Anais Curran and Leanne Cullen have backboned this skilful St.Aidan’s outfit while St.Senan’s will be looking to Kathlin O’Connor, Siobhán Fanning, Shauna Dwyer and Kathleen Redmond to continue their good form.
This will be followed at 7.15 by the Allianz Roinn B final between Ballygarrett and Mercy Wexford. Both sides are familiar with finals day with goalkeeper Ciara Doyle, defenders Sophie Boylan, Alice Canavan, midfielders Megan Cahill, Anna Doyle and forwards Sherene Hamilton and Sophie Kelly all impressing in Ballygarrett’s run to the final. The Mercy have a well balanced team from goalkeeper Sally Walker to full forward and goal poacher Caoimhe O’ Sullivan. The team has worked very well as a unit with different players starring in each match. However, to reach the final they have needed consistent performances from defenders Aoife Dwyer, Clara O Doherty and Kate Redmond-Browne, mid-fielders Alannah Corcoran and Eve Hession, and forwards Aoife Kelly and Sarah Murphy.
The boys will take centre stage on Thursday in Belfield. The Allianz Roinn B Final sees Glynn take on Bunclody at 6pm. Bunclody have had strong performances from Peadair Cowman in goal, defenders Jamie Kavanagh and Daniel Farrell, midfielder Eddie Black and forwards Byron Byrne, Edward Dunbar and Mylie Connors. Glynn have been at the business end of Roinn B for a few years now and have strong players in Jack Brasill, Jamie O’Shea, Dillon Lyne, Cormac Rowe and Conor Clarke.
This will be followed at 7.15 by the Allianz Roinn A final. Holders Gorey CBS will take on the winners of replayed semi finalists Piercestown and Rathangan. This has been a very competitive Roinn A will all sides suffering defeats during the league stages. Gorey CBS have had fine performances from Eoin Molloy, Fionn O’Loughlin and Dillon Dixon in defence, mid fielders Christy and Eoin Kennedy and Tiernan Doyle and Michael Molloy in attack.
The Piercestown/Rathangan replay is fixed for Monday at 3.15 in Taghmon and it is very hard to call. Jack Devereux, Philip Dempsey and Ben Maddock have led by example for the Piercestown boys while great teamwork and support play have typified this hard working Rathangan team who took the Roinn B title only last year.
Bree will take on Horeswood in a much anticipated Allianz Roinn C Final in Cushinstown at 6.30 on Friday. The Ross boys will be hoping to round off a fantastic year for the parish and have had consistent players in Eamonn O’Sullivan, Cyril Prendergast in defence, Sean Nolan and David Murphy in mid field and forwards Daragh Kent and Cathal Mernagh. Bree have had a fine campaign with Nicholas Doyle and Anthony Butler marshalling their defence, Dean Doyle and Shane Fenlon at mid field and forwards Mark Morris and Peter Kelly being among their many stand out performers.
We would encourage all parishes involved to come out and support their teams. This is the first year that the boys’ finals will be played under lights and it really adds to the atmosphere of finals night. The girls finals, which have been played under lights for a number of years, have proven to be a big hit. The Committee would like to thank the Rapparees/Starlights and Rathgarogue-Cushinstown clubs for making their fantastic facilities available for the finals.
