Our Minor ladies travelled back to the 4G in Bishopstown yesterday to face Ibane Ladies in their County Final replay.

With a gale of wind blowing it wasn't a day for fancy football and sheer hard work and determination would win the day.

After winning the toss Bantry opted to play with the wind at their backs but it was Ibane who started brightly with the first point of the game in the second minute. They followed up with another point in the third minute but this would be their last score of the half as Bantry's defence were playing superbly.Aoife Kingston opened Bantry's account with a fine point in the fourth minute and she followed this up with a pointed free on six minutes.

Bantry were dealt a blow when they lost corner back Ciara Barry with a serious knee injury on ten minutes but Belle o Donoghue proved to be a worthy replacement and alongside Molly o Sullivan,Kelly Daly,Cathy Kennan,Cliodhna o Shea and her sister Daisy o Donoghue the Bantry defence was putting in a great performance.

In the blustery conditions both teams found scores hard to come by and it would be the twenty second minute before Bantry registered their next score courtesy of a well taken point from Aoife Kingston.

This meant Bantry went in at half time leading on a scoreline of 0.3 to 0.2.

As in the drawn game Bantry introduced fresh legs off the bench with Faye Hurley and Ciara Kelly entering the fray.

Faye registered Bantry's first score of the second half with a well taken point in the third minute.Playing into a very strong wind the girls in blue were now putting in a serious effort with Ali o Sullivan and Meadhbh Sammon winning some great ball around the middle of the field delivering good ball into the half forward line where Katie Russell and Lainey Barry were ensuring possession was being retained which was vital in the windy conditions.Aoife Kingston registered Bantry's next score with a well taken point on six minutes and when Faye Hurley goaled superbly in the eight minute Bantry started to take control of this game.Emma Kelly tagged on another fine point for Bantry in the tenth minute which was followed up by Ibane's first score of the second half on twelve minutes.

Ibane were now throwing everything at Bantry and again pointed in the twelfth minute and they had a couple of goal scoring opportunities which Blues goalkeeper Mary o Shea ably dealt with and was not to beaten on the day.

The girls in blue were now putting in a great team effort with Ciara Kelly,Aoidhe Murphy,Holly Sheehan,Lauren o Connell,Lucy Harrington,Emma Barry and Caoimhe McCarthy all making a serious contribution to Bantry's cause.Lainey Barry scored Bantry's last point of the game in the twenty seventh minute and Ibane again scored a point on thirty minutes but Bantry were not to be denied and closed out the game to win on a scoreline of 1.7 to 0.6.

This was a fantastic performance from each and every one of the girls and there were joyous scenes of jubilation after the game as captain Holly Sheehan was presented with the cup much to the delight of the Bantry supporters.

Well done to everyone involved with this fantastic bunch of girls.

Scorers for Bantry

Aoife Kingston 0.4(1f)

Faye Hurley 1.1

Emma Kelly 0.1

Lainey Barry 0.1

BANTRY BLUES U18 Ladies Sponsored by BANTRY BATH & Tile