Pulsating, enthralling and entertaining are just some of the words you could use to best describe this All Ireland ladies final. A Louise Slevin point, deep in injury time, was the difference as the final whistle sounded in Scotstown and the Emmetts etched their name in the history books.
In wasn't easy though as Lisnaskea fought tirelessly to protect their one point advantage. There were nervous scenes at the end as Stabannon went on the attack. Parnells corner forward Aine McGee bore down on goal as the seconds ticked down but her last ditch attempt resulted in Lisnaskea keeper Donna Gilroy being infringed upon and the referee awarded a free out, to the delight of the Lisnaskea crowd.
1-06 (5 frees) from Player of the match Caroline Little over the course of the hour, helped the Emmetts pull themselves back into this game after a very slow start. As the teams left the field and headed for the dressing rooms at half time, Lisnaskea were lucky to only be trailing by a goal.
In the second half, the green and red jerseys harassed and harried as they fought for every ball. With eight minutes gone in the second half they got the goal they craved to give them the lead for the first time in the match. The game drew level on numerous occasions thereafter but Lisnaskea never fell behind again.
The county champions showed signs of nerves early on, conceding five points on the trot. Stabannon's Mary Maloney opened the scoring with a point in the fourth minute. A minute later Jennifer McGuinness was fouled and duly converted. Then in the seventh minute a good passing movement involving Tara Lynch, �ine McGee and Grace Rogers was finished off by McGuinness, to give the Leinster ladies a 0-03 to no score lead.
Lisnaskea were losing the midfield battle and Stabannon were picking up the loose ball in that sector. Indeed, they could have been further ahead had Mary Maloney's shot at goal been on target, rather than nestle itself in the side netting.
Midfielder Grace Lynch was lording it in the centre. She won possession cleanly before feeding the ball into the path of Grace Rogers, who cleverly volleyed the ball over the bar, for their fourth point.
Lisnaskea were only managing to break forward sporadically and their attempts on goal fell short and went wide repeatedly. With nerves playing their part the Fermanagh champions were wasteful in possession and Stabannon were curbing the threat with ease in the half back line.
Tara Lynch extended their lead in the 17th minute and it looked ominous for the Emmetts. Then with 18 minutes on the clock Sharon Little was fouled. Caroline Little converted the 20 metre free for their first score of the game. Stabannon hit back with a point from Deidre Lynch a couple of minutes later, to bring the margin back to five points.
Claire Woods got Lisnaskea's second point after 23 minutes and they were unlucky not to reduce the deficit to a single point moments later. Sharon Little played in Caroline and her shot came back off the crossbar and the threat was dealt with by the Stabannon rearguard.
Minutes later the goal threat was at the other end of the field. Grace Rodgers unleashed a shot but her effort was straight at Gilroy who denied her. Rogers was on hand a minute later with a point for Stabannon. A superb solo run was finished with an equally fine point to leave the score 0-02 to 0-07 in favour of the Louth champions.
Michelle Trotter won a free as half time neared and Caroline Little, on the 13 metre line, found the target with ease to reduce the deficit. Both teams had goal chances as the first half drew to a close. Lorna Woods kicked a bad wide for Stabannon. Moments later Caroline Little played an inch perfect pass to her sister Sharon but her shot also drifted wide. With the game in injury time Caroline tagged on a point to leave the score 0-04 to 0-07 at the break.
Lisnaskea emerged from the dressing room a couple of minutes after Stabannon. Clearly a stern team talk was underway by joint managers Aidy Little and Kevin O'Rourke. Shauna McCrystal won possession from the throw-in and played in Tara Little. She fed the ball to Sharon Little who landed their fifth point.
Lisnaskea looked sharper and they were using possession better. With the game in the 38th minute Lisnaskea were on the attack once more. Sharon Little won a free and showed great vision and awareness to take a quick kick, finding Caroline who burst forward and blasted to the back of the net to give them a 1-05 to 0-07 lead.
A minute later they extended their lead through Claire Woods after some good work by Caroline Little and Louise Slevin. Two quick points from Tara Lynch and Grace Rogers drew the game level midway through the second half.
Caroline Little was causing the opposition untold problems and after a fine solo run from the half way line half back Siobhan Giggins brought the lively number 11 to the ground. Little stepped up to take the kick and pegged it over, 20 metres from goal.
It was nip and tuck at this stage as the sides traded scores. Jennifer McGuinness landed a score for Stabannon after a great driving run. Little and McGuinness both tagged on scores and with the game in injury time Lisnaskea held a one point lead. However, the celebrations were put on hold when Grace Rogers showed superb vision. The robust full forward turned and kicked to a rapturous roar from the Stabannon supporters.
With everyone now resigned to a replay Lisnaskea's grit and determination shone through as they powered forward once more. Sharon Little found Louise Slevin and she lofted over the decisive score. There was more drama to unfold in the dying second though. Stabannon's Jennifer McGuinness launched the ball goal ward and Donna Gilroy came off her line. Grace Rogers charged into Gilroy as both girls scrambled for possession. Referee Liam McDonagh awarded the free out and on doing so the final whistle sounded.
Scenes of jubilation ensued as players were greeted by management and fans on the field of play. Captain Aine Martin received the cup and they paid tribute to the gallant efforts of Stabannon Parnells in what was a very competitive yet sporting game of football.
She also thanked her team mates and management duo Kevin O'Rourke and Aidy Little for "helping to make my dreams come true today."
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