Weekend of Mixed Fortunes for Desmonds

It was a week-end of mixed fortunes for Desmonds GAA Club.

On Saturday the intermediate ladies team set the ball rolling when they travelled to Ballyhooly to play the Waterford champions, Stradbally. It was no contest as Desmond’s won by 5-12 to 0-4.   A sterner contest faces them in the Munster final on Sunday 19th when they face  the Clare champions.

Desmonds scorers on the day included: Leeanne Mangan 2-2; Stephaine Murphy 1-2;  Aine O’Connor 1-1; Andrea Murphy 0-3;  Mellisa Holland 1-0;  Tina Mangan 0-2; Jane Lynch and Cait Lynch 0-1 each.

Desmonds:  Aisling Leonard, Aoife Lyons, Leeanne Mangan, Karen Mangan, Aine O’Connor, Eilish Lynch, Mellisa Holland, Lorraine Scanlon, Tine Mangan, Jane Lynch, Marion Shine, Cait Lynch, Andrea Murphy, Shauna O’Connor, Elaine Guiney, Stephaine Murphy, Leeanne O’ Connor, Alicia O’Sullivan, Rachael Cronin.

On Sunday the senior ladies faced the Banner from Clare in Rathkeale.  It was always going to be an uphill battle as many of the panel were playing their second game of the weekend.  Injuries/illness deprived Desmond’s/Duagh of the services of Lorraine Scanlon, Leeanne Mangan, Maura Dillon and Rachael Cronin. However, despite a gallant performance they lost by 6-7 to 2-6.

Eibhlis Dillon scored 1-4, Stephanie Murphy 1-0, Andrea Murphy 0-2. Laura Sheeran, Karen Mangan and Mellisa Holland also played well.

The men’s senior team played Ardfert in the semi final of the Castleisland Co-Op Mart Intermediate Football Championship also on Sunday.

It was a huge occasion for a young team and they played nervously for much of the first half. The decisive moments came midway through the opening period when Ardfert scored 1-2 without reply.  But Desmonds created their chances and could have scored two goals.

But Ardfert lead by 1-7 to 0-4 at the break.In the second half the gap was reduced to two points but Ardfert’s experience was probably the key factor.

The scorers foe Desmonds included: Thomas Hickey 0-4; Kieran Brennan 0-2;  Cian O’Connor 0-3;  Pat Fitzgerald and Sean Lynch 0-1 each.  Final score Ardfert 1-12 Desmonds 0-11.

Desmonds:  Ger Reidy, Barry Lynch, Maurice Lynch, Niall Mitchell, Stan Devane, Gearoid McCarthy, Denis O’Connor, Pat Fitzgerald captain; Ciaran O’Callaghan, Sean Lynch, Pat Hickey, Barry O’Neill, Thomas, Hickey, Maurice Hickey.  Subs;  Cian O’Connor, Tadhg O’Connell, Eoin Murphy.