Foxrock-Cabinteely (Dublin) 4-9
Carnacon (Mayo) 2-11
Cliona Foley reports from Bray Emmets
A SENSATIONAL two-goal flurry in as many minutes - after they were reduced to 14 players - helped Foxrock-Cabinteely past ladies’ football superpower Carnacon and into their first ever All-Ireland club final.
Dublin Allstar Sinead Goldrick had just tied the game, for the third time (2-8 each), in the 22nd minute when her side lost wing-back Lorna Fusciardi to the sin-bin.
That immediately tipped the balance towards five-time All-Ireland champions Carnacon, featuring five Mayo seniors, including Cora Staunton, Allstar Fiona McHale and Martha Carter, with Amy Dowling also outstanding at Bray Emmets.
But the two in-a-row Leinster champions produced a fantastic response, immediately scoring two goals despite their numerical disadvantage.
History for Foxrock - Cabinteely, beat Carnacon 4-9 2-11 to reach first AI ladies club final v Donaghmoyne @LadiesFootball @dublinladiesg
— cliona foley (@ponyyelof) November 20, 2016
A brilliant through ball from Amy Connolly put Amy Ring through for the first and, within a minute, Ring turned provider, crossing a ball for Anne-Marie Murphy to fist to the net to give them a sudden five-point lead.
A point and free from Staunton kept Cornacon’s hopes alive and they continued to get chances.
But a vital steal by Goldrick off Staunton, and an insurance point from Dowling, sealed the historic win for the Dubliners who only won their first Leinster title last season and now face Donaghmoyne on December 4 in a repeat of their 2015 semi-final.
Foxrock-Cab lead by three (1-5 to 1-2) at half-time despite being hit by a 10th minute penalty, earned by Michelle Corbett and scored by 10-time Allstar Staunton.
Their goalkeeper Laurie Ahern then pulled off a vital save from Dowling before the two Amys combined for Amy Connolly to grab their first goal after 21 minutes in a very tense first half.
— OFFICIAL FoxCab GAA (@OFFICIALFoxCab) November 20, 2016
But the second half started with drama and never let up.
Laura Nerney hit the net just four minutes after the restart, Dowling matched her two minutes later and then Mayo’s five-time All-Ireland club champions hit four unanswered points to go a point clear.
Yet the Dubliners, with Goldrick operating as a holding midfielder, county colleague Niamh Collins marking Staunton in an excellent team defence and Westmeath star Laura Claffey also starring, never let their heads drop and pulled off a famous victory.
Scorers
Foxrock-Cabinteely: A Ring 1-4 (4f), A Connolly 1-2, AM Murphy 1-1, L Nerney 1-0, S Goldrick and F Claffey 0-1 each.
Carnacon: C Staunton 1-7 (4f, 1pen), A Dowling 1-4.
Teams
Carnacon - M Higgins; A Loftus, S McGing, S Walshe; M Corbett, M Carter, E Flannery; F McHale, D Hughes (Capt); A Brennan, A Dowling, M McGing; M Corbett, C Staunton, N Beegan. Subs – Aisling Hughes for Corbett (27 mins), M Larkin for Brennan (45).
Foxrock - Cabinteely - L Ahern; C Crotty, C Ni Mhurchadh, C O’Riordan; S Goldrick, N Collins, L Fusciardi; S Brophy (Capt), L Nerney; E McDonagh, AM Murphy, N Ryan; A Ring, F Claffey, A Connolly. Subs – H O’Neill for Nerney (63).
Referee
C McManus.
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