Our u14 ladies travelled to Castlehaven on Monday evening for the 2024 West Cork Ladies U14 Football final against Dohenys.
Even though they were playing against a good breeze in the first half it was Dohenys who opened the scoring with a point in the second minute.
Bantry replied immediately when Sophie ODonnell opened their account with a well taken point which was followed up with a Kacey Cotter score in the fourth minute to help settle any early Bantry nerves.
Bantry were playing some fantastic flowing football and their efforts were rewarded with a great goal from Emily ONeill in the seventh minute.
Dohenys replied with a goal in the thirteenth minute but another Emily ONeill goal on fourteen minutes put the girls in blue back in the driving seat.
Bantry were defending brilliantly and some top drawer saves from goalkeeper Layla Rose Kingston Fitzgerald kept the Dohenys forwards at bay.
Sara Murphy and Hailey Hegarty were now gaining control at midfield and Bantry looked dangerous every time they attacked.A goal and three points from the hard working Emma Harrington helped their cause considerably and a cracking goal from Sara Murphy saw Bantry go in at half time well in control leading on a scoreline of 4.7 to 1.1
It was more of the same from the girls in blue for the second half.Their solid defending and work rate was first class with Aoife ODonovan and Saoirse Cooke making some timely interventions to deny the opposition.Again Dohenys opened the scoring with a point on four minutes but Bantry replied with an expertly converted penalty from Sophie ODonnell in the eight minute.
Dohenys replied with a point on nine minutes but from here on in Bantry were well on top.
With fresh legs coming in off the bench and further goals from Emma Harrington,Callie ODonoghue and Emily ONeill helped Bantry to close out the game comfortably.
After the game Emily ONeill was presented with the player of the game award by referee Simon Murphy

and when captain Sara Murphy received the cup from West Cork board chairman John McCarthy there was joyous scenes of jubilation amongst the Bantry supporters.

Well done to each and every one of the girls and their coaches on a fantastic win.
http://westcorkladiesgaa.com/contentPage/10090398/c1

Next up for this group is a County Championship semi final at home v Castlemartyr next Saturday at 4pm.

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