Michael Cusacks ladies won the championship on
Sunday 12th September with one of the best teams the club has ever fielded.

Congratulations to all of the Cusacks ladies football team on a fantastic display in Auburn in the championship final.

After a dream start Cusacks raced in to a 1-05 to 0-01 point lead by the 20th minute. Sinead Mc Mahon opened the scoring with a beautiful point. Other scores followed from Niamh Bonar, Emer Daly and Michelle Cole and there was a great unselfish pass from Angela Kenneally to Niamh who stuck the ball in the corner of the net.

Forwards were showing well, midfield in control and backline chasing and harassing in packs all to the downfall of Clan. Clan formed a mini-rival and clawed themselves back into the game with a further point and goal however a great clearance from Dee Stephenson off the back line and a concerted effort by all of the backs especially Joanne Burgess helped Cusacks settle and respond with 2 points of their own to leave the score at half-time Cusacks 1-07 to Clans 1-02.

After the break Clan threw everything at Cusacks including the kitchen sink and brought back the lead to just 2 points with 25 minutes remaining. Cusacks did what they did all year, regrouped and regained their composure, It was pure teamwork. The Bonar Babe added 2 points; Sully the wannabe corkonian, Michelle Cole and Philly Mc Dermott got a point each. Angela CC the cat that was later creamed scored a beautiful point from near the sideline stretching their lead to 6 points with time ticking down. Cusacks then were awarded a penalty for a foul on Sinead McMahon, which was ably dispatched by Soccer Sully to the top corner of the net, too close to the crossbar for some of our liking but who cares.

Clan scored another 3 points in the half but Cusack ladies upped their tempo as Clan heads dropped and Cusacks slayed their counterparts with clinical finishing in the remaining minutes. By now Bernie O'Donnell was thinking of Mayo and Clan found it hard to get past her, Roisin Cooper, Eileen Morgan and Laura Connolly in an organised defence, aided when required by Michelle and Niamh. Emer Daly scored another point and set up Sinead Gordon to score a goal really sinking all hope for Clan na Gael. The final whistle blew and the championship was ours.

Cusacks came out more than deserving winners on a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-06. Incredible displays from the ageless Bernie O'Donnell in defence and unbelievable midfield pairing of Niamh Bonar and Michelle Cole the highlights of a fantastic TEAM performance.

Niamh Bonar was deservedly awarded Best and Fairest in a tremendous display. (Sure she bribed the referee Melinda Bright). Plenty of words spring to mind when recalling the efforts and passion displayed out there but few do it justice, but will finish with one word that comes close.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TEAM

Siobhan Toolan (Sligo),
Bernie O'Donnell (Mayo - up for Sam),
Deanne Stephenson (THE Aussie),
Joanne Burgess (The Dub),
Eileen Morgan (Cork - the Rebel - Yahoo),
Laura Bulmers Connolly (Galway),
Roisin Cooper (Wexford - A yellowbelly and strawberry),
Niamh Bonar 1-4 (Tipp),
Michelle Cole 0-2 (Cavan),
Philly McDermott 0-1 (Cavan),
Lorraine Sully O'Sullivan 1-2 (Longford - Rebel in heart),
Emer Daly 0-2 (Cork - Rebel - Brian Daly's Sister),
Sinead G 1-0 (Mayo - Again a sam wanna have),
Sinead Mac McMahon 0-2 (Clare),
Angela Kenneally 0-1 better known as CC(just ask why) (One of the cats that were creamed),
Linda Cole (Cavan - again),
Kate Radcliffe (Our second Aussie),
Yvonne McGonagle (Meath),
Hillary Bright (Sligo),
Betty Servis (Roscommon)

Coach: Paudi Cooney