Desmonds Ladies bring the Rhyno Mills Cup Home

Castleisland Desmonds Ladies’ Football team pictured after they captured the County Senior Football Division 1 League title by defeating Southern Gaels in Keel on Sunday afternoon. Front from left: Jane Lynch, Rachel Cronin, Marian Shine, Tina Mangan, Lorraine Scanlon, captain; Leanne Mangan, Andrea Murphy, Elaine Guiney and Stephanie Murphy. back from left: Billy Mangan, manager; Aileen Lynch, mentor; Alicia O’Sullivan, Leanne O’Connor, Eilís Lynch, Aoife Lyons, Cáit Lynch, Eda Mangan, Karen Mangan, Áine O’Connor, Kayla O’Connor, Aisling Leonard and Stephen Murphy, coach. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Áine O’Connor goes on the attack for Desmonds as Southern Gaels wing back, Clodagh Quinlan tries to cut off her path during their County Senior Football Division 1 League Final in Keel on Sunday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Desmonds centre-back, Cáit Lynch setting up an attacking movement as she gets by the challenge from Southern Gaels corner-back and captain, Cecilia O’Sullivan during their County Senior Football Division 1 League Final in Keel on Sunday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Desmonds wing-forward, Andrea Murphy breaking through the challenge of Southern Gaels full-back, Sinéad Clifford during their County Senior Football Division 1 League Final in Keel on Sunday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Desmonds centre-back, Cáit Lynch setting up an attacking movement as she gets by the challenge from Southern Gaels corner-back and captain, Cecilia O’Sullivan during their County Senior Football Division 1 League Final in Keel on Sunday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Desmonds full-forward, Leanne Mangan abouth to kick a point in spite of the attentions of Southern Gael wing-forward, Amy Fitzgerald during their County Senior Football Division 1 League Final in Keel on Sunday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Desmonds Ladies’ high scoring full-forward, Leanne Mangan in action against Southern Gaels in Keel on Sunday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Delight for Desmonds as captain, Lorrain Scanlon accepts the Rhyno Mills Quality Feeds Cup from Nora Fealey, chairperson of the Kerry Ladies Football Board in Keel on Sunday afternoon. Included are from left: Marian Shine, Alicia O’Sullivan, Eilís Lynch, Tina and Leanne Mangan, Aoife Lyons, Eda mangan, Cáit Lynch and Andrea Mangan. ©Photograph: john Reidy

Goal on the way: Desmonds wing-forward, Rachel Cronin on her way to scoring her late, second-half goal while being challenged by Southern Gaels defender, Louise Galvin during their County Senior Football Division 1 League Final in Keel on Sunday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Southern Gaels ‘keeper, Saidbh Fitzgerald under pressure during the County Senior Football Division 1 League Final against Desmonds in Keel on Sunday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Another cup – another speech: Castleisland Desmonds captain, Lorraine Scanlon making the acceptance speech after Sunday’s County Senior Football Division 1 League Final against Southern Gaels in Keel. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Desmonds wing-back, Tina Mangan going on the attack with Southern Gaels, Amy Fitzgerald in pursuit during their County Senior Football Division 1 League Final in Keel on Sunday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Castleisland Desmonds Ladies added the Rhyno Mills Quality Feeds Trophy to their impressive list of wins on Sunday when they defeated Southern Gaels in The Division 1 County  Senior Football League final in Keel.

Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club PRO, Pat Hartnett reports on yet another great chapter in the rolling success story of Castleisland Desmonds Ladies’ Football in 2014.

The team has all ready won the County Senior Championship along with the County Intermediate and All Ireland Championship this year.

Southern Gaels had wind advantage in the first half but both teams had a number of wides before Linda Cronin bagged the first goal and score for Southern Gaels after nine minutes of play.

In the space of three minutes Desmonds had drawn level with a point each from: Steffi Murphy, Leanne Mangan and Cáit Lynch.  Clodagh Quinlan put Southern Gaels in front two minutes later with a well earned point from 20 metres out.  Back came Desmond with an Andrea Murphy point. Good defending by both teams kept the scoring down.

Desmonds’ Leanne Mangan got lucky in the 29th minute after her shot at goal was saved Saidbh Fitzjerald. However the lethal Leanne pounced on the rebound and chrashed the ball to the net for Demonds first goal of the game.  This was the last score of the half as Desmonds went in at the break 1-4 to 1-1 ahead

The second half started much brighter for Southern Gales as Leanne Curran made it 1-2 after five minutes. Again, scores were hard to come by as Desmonds were stubborn in defence and Cáit Lynch and Leanne Mangan each pointed to put Desmonds four in front after 16 mns of play, Goal number two came in the 20th minute for Desmonds  when Rachel Cronin raced in and made no mistake fron 15mtrs. Leanne Mangan added another as Linda Cronin goaled at the other end for Southern Gaels.

Desmonds were in control now with captain, Lorraine Scanlon dominating the mid-field area. They pushed on as Tina Mangan made it 2-8 to 2-2  Leanne Mangan was awarded a penalty in the 28th minute and she shot the ball over the bar. Leanne added two more points as Desmonds  won by 2 -11 to 2-2.  Captain, Lorraine Scanlon was presented with the Rhyno Mills Quality Feeds Division 1 Cup by Nora Fealey – the newly elected Kerry County Board vice chairperson.

This game ended a fantastic year for Desmonds and congratulations to the managment team of: Billy Mangan, Steve Murphy, Dan Kearney, Pa White and Aileen Lynch. Now they can enjoy their victory banquet at the River Island Hotel on the Saturday night of January 3rd.