PPS Junior A Final

Cork school  St Mary’s Macroom were crowned Munster Ladies Football PPS Junior A champions at Banteer on Tuesday.

But at half-time you wouldn’t have predicted that scoreline as they trailed by 2-4 to 1-1, having conceded two late goals that saw the Tipperary school looking like they would retain their title.

But in the second-half the Cork side took over, led by Naomh Aban’s Roisin Ni Liathain. She was outstanding after the break and her tally of 0-8 played a crucial part in their win.

Added to a goal from Olivia King, who found the back of the net with her first touch after coming on, St Mary’s hit 1-8 without reply to take the title.

It took Ursuline Thurles just 20 seconds to take the lead when Orla Pamplin pointed from their first attack as the Tipp side were quicker to settle.

She increased their lead five minutes in as St Mary’s were finding it hard to get a foothold in the game.

But they started to settle and Ni Liathain got their first score after 10  minutes, to make it 0-2 to 0-1.

With 17 minutes gone they took the lead when a good team move saw Shauna Keane get the game’s opening goal.

Ni Liathain and Evie McMahon had combined well to set her up to see the Cork side lead by 1-1 to 0-2.

Leah O’Connell drove forward to point for Ursuline Thurles and with 26 minutes gone they were back on level terms, thanks to a Rosanna King point.

Two minutes later they got their first of their goals when Pamplin set up Melanie Flannery to score.

From the restart they regained possession, with Sophie Moynihan’s effort coming back off the post.

However, Anna Doyle was quickest to react to the breaking ball to slot home Ursuline Thurles’ second goal, as they lead 2-4 to 1-1 at half-time.

Early scores from Cliona O’Brien and Ni Liathain reduced the deficit, before Flannery and Sophie Moynihan replied for Ursuline Thures.

St Mary’s then took over, with two more from Ni Liathain making it 2-6 to 1-5.

Evie McMahon and O’Brien scored and with 44 minutes gone there was only a point in it, 2-6 to 1-8.

A minute late and St Mary’s took the lead when Ni Liathain played King in to score their second goal.

They added points from Hannah Sweeney and Ni Liathain and with time running out they were 2-12 to 2-6 in front. Flannery scored late on but by then it was no more than a consolation score as the Cork side ran out deserving winners.

Scorers for St Mary’s Macroom: R Ni Liathain 0-8 (5f), S Keane, O King 1-0 each, C O’Brien 0-2, E McMahon (f), H Sweeney 0-1 each.

Ursuline Thurles: M Flannery 1-2 (1f), A Doyle 1-0, O Pamplir 0-2, L O’Connell, R King, S Moynihan 0-1 each.

St MARY’S MACROOM: L Hodman; T Browne, S Cronin, H O’Shea; P Murphy, A O’Riordan, K Murray; Orla O’Brien, H Sweeney; R Ni Liatháin, E McMahon, C O’Brien; S Keane, Orlaith O’Brien, B Prendeville.

Subs: O King for Orlaith O’Brien (41), K O’Riordan for H Sweeney (52).

URSULINE THURLES: S Heaney; M Lonergan, R O’Brien, C Farrell; L Ryan, L O’Connell, M Jones; O Pamplin, C Fitzgerald; S Deegan, S Moynihan, J Shanahan; R King, M Flannery, A Doyle.

Subs: A Mockler for A Doyle (48), A Moran for J Shanahan (60).

Referee: Grainne Sands, Down.