February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
On paper Ulster/Connaught was the dominant team, starting with no fewer than eight of last year’s finalists. Munster/Leinster again found themselves struggling for numbers and featured eight American-born players.
Ulster/Connaught opened up the scoring with a Joanne McKenna point who continued her recent fine form with a long-distance point between the uprights. Ellen McGrail scored a point after a great pass from Monaghan’s Anita McKenna. McGrail scored again after a fine pass from Rosie O’Reilly, registering the first goal of the game.
Munster/Leinster began to come together and test the backs with Sue Bennett registering their first score after 15 minutes. Bennett was their only scorer in the first half, her total being 1-3. Her goal came after fine play involving Louise McKeever, Mary Maguire, and Paula Barrett, whose shot came off the bar into Bennett, who made no mistake. Munster/Leinster found it tough against the Ulster/ Connaught backs, especially Cathy Hughes, Aoife Gibson and Eleanor Fox. Their forwards kept scoring with points from Denise Dunnion, Rosie O’Reilly, Caroline Murphy and Cathy McKenna. With the heat both sides were able to use unlimited subs. At the halfway mark, Ulster/Connaught led 1-10 to 1-3.
It was more of the same in the second half with Ulster/Connaught continuing to pressure the Munster/Leinster goal with O’Reilly opening up the scoring. Joanne McKenna scored another three points in this half. Munster/Leinster tried hard. However, their forwards found it hard to hit the target. Marie Cassells registered their first score of the half. McKeever in the center half back position continues her good form as an attacking player registering a point herself and distributing the ball well to her forwards. Lorraine Leacy, Mary Cooney and Bennett all scored points for Munster/Leinster, with Carol McNicholas scoring a goal for Ulster/Connaught to seal their victory and there third consecutive title. Ulster/Connaught: Sue Hannon, Teresa O’Reilly, Eleanor Fox, Catherine Donohoe, Joanne Monaghan, Aoife Gibson, Cathy Hughes, Ellen McGrail (1-2), Anita McKenna Caroline Murphy (0-1), Cathy McKenna(0-2), Carol McNicholas (1-0), Denise Dunnion (0-3), Rosie O’Reilly (0-2), Joanne McKenna (0-7). Subs Patti McGrail, Aisling Boyle, Pauline Boylan, Katrina Coyle, Tina Foy, Sharon Brady.
Munster/Leinster: Rose Dunican, Monica Slevin, Mary Maguire, Martina Duggan, Michelle McVann, Louise McKeever (0-1), Mags Ryan, Justine Clifford, Mary Cooney (0-1), Paula Barrett, Lorraine Leacy (0-1), Marie Cassells (0-1), Kaity Pennell, Sue Bennett (1-4), Cecelia Dengler. Subs: Karen O’Grady, Ann-Marie Kelly, Maeve Murphy, Alison Traynor.
MVP of the Game: Cathy Hughes(Kerry D Gold)