Bantry Blues Ladies faced off against Midleton in the final of this year's Div 3 County Senior League in Wolfe Tone park on Saturday evening last. After suffering defeat in last year's final to Carrigaline the girls in blue were looking to go one step further on this occasion.
On a perfect evening for football Bantry started this game at lightning pace registering two points inside the first two minutes and when they were awarded a penalty in the the third minute, which they duly converted,the girls in blue were well on top of affairs.Some free flowing football saw another point in the fifth minute and was followed by a well taken goal on six minutes which now saw Bantry leading by 2.3 to no score but slowly Mideton woke from their slumber and registered their first score with a point on eight minutes. This seemed to galvanise the girls from East Cork despite another fine goal from Bantry on ten minutes.Another three points followed from Mideton who were now growing in confidence and when they converted a penalty in the twenty fourth minute they were right back in this game despite some great work from the Bantry defence.Mideton tacked on another point on the stroke of half time to leave Bantry leading by four points at half time on a scoreline of 3.3 to 1.5. Both teams were well matched in the second half with Bantry opening the scoring with a well taken point on nine minutes.Two more points on thirteen and fourteen minutes saw Bantry regain control with Mideton registering their first score of the half with a point on seventeen minutes. Bantry's forwards and midfield were putting in a ferocious effort with tracking back and helping out defencely as Mideton were now attacking relentlessly but a point for Bantry on eighteen minutes helped to steady the ship. Mideton goaled in the twenty first minute and followed with two points to really put this game in the melting pot but a heroic effort from each and every one of the girls in blue saw Bantry take the spoils at the final whistle on a scoreline of 3.7 to 2.8 much to the delight of the home supporters. No more than this group of players deserved after suffering heartbreak last year and after a fantastic league campaign in which they were undefeated.
Bantry captain Emma Spillane received the cup amid joyous scenes of jubilation from all concerned and now the girls move on to the West Cork Championship against Dohenys next Wednesday evening at 7.45pm in Dunmanway having a very successful league campaign under their belts.
Bantry Blues Ladies Sponsored by John McSweeney Plant Hire & Tree Cutting Services
