Ladies Gaelic Football

14 // Ladies Gaelic Football Association JUNIOR ALL IRELAND CLUB FINAL PEIL Winter | Issue No 4 | Volume 14 Glanmire's Katie Hannon By DARAGH SMALL lanmire won their first ever All-Ireland Junior Club Championship in 2018, and Kate Hannon was their star. It was a 1-22 to 3-11 victory over Tourlestrane from Sligo in the decider at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on 9 December. Katie Walsh was the driving force for the Connacht champions and she scored 1-8, including a stunning goal that went viral, but that was equalled by the opposing No 14. Hannon's personal tally of 0-11 was immense, she scored five points from frees, while the 19-year-old full-forward was a constant threat from play too. It was a stunning display against an experienced Tourlestrane defence. Hannon's illusive speed and trickery made her too hot to handle in a history-making win for the Cork club. "We have lost so many county finals before. We haven't had a team before us that were successful," Hannon explained. "We were the first team to come up through the club that have done anything and won counties. It's great for the younger girls and some of the younger girls involved today, they are brilliant." While Tourlestrane were heavily reliant on Walsh (they only had three other scorers outside of the Sligo full-forward), Glanmire had more of a spread from other areas of the pitch. Niamh McAllen chipped in with 1-7, and from the midfield up everyone had their chances. Their defence was also teak-tough with goalkeeper Ava Carey, daughter of manager Dave, contributing with three crucial point- blank saves to deny Tourlestrane certain goals. It was a performance that earned Ava a spot on the sportsjoe.ie GAA team of the weekend. "Ava is unbelievable, she was Cork minor last year. And she doesn't get the credit that she deserves half the time," said Hannon. "She really does keep us in games. The ball came off her face at one stage in the first half. She would do anything to keep all of the shots out. "She is brilliant both on and off the pitch. She is such a leader, she doesn't get the credit that she deserves, she is really brilliant. "There were six forwards there and a few came on too. I won't be taking any credit for what I got. "Our backs defended really well. Their forwards had class pace and they had two or three really good players, their No 14 (Walsh) was outstanding. "Our backs did so well to even keep the ball out. Ava and Ellen Baker, the likes of them, to even get the ball up to us, they deserve a lot of credit too." It was the second time in a row that a Cork team won the junior title, after Aghada claimed the crown in 2017, and the Glanmire success came one day on from Mourneabbey's outstanding victory in the senior final. Glanmire may only have won by five points in Ballinasloe but there was plenty in the tank, and this young team is going places. "We have a seriously young panel. It just shows what we can achieve over the next few years," said Hannon. "When you are looking at the other team, they are older than us, their average age is about 25. But our midfielder was 17 today. "We have some 15-year-olds who are coming up they joined the panel this year and they are still playing U-16 and minor. "We have won two minor counties now back to back in Cork. It shows what we can do in the future." It had been a tough year for the Cork ladies at inter-county level where they were trumped by Mick Bohan's Dublin side in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Final at Croke Park on September 16. Hannon was with the Cork panel in the league but didn't make Ephie Fitzgerald's championship selection. "It must be serious hurt getting to an All- Ireland final and losing," said Hannon. "I know even with club and being involved in club for the last few years. We know the commitment that they put in, training twice or three times a week. "You look at Mourneabbey they lost three finals in four years and to go out and win it finally. Every team is the same - they put in the commitment and stuff. "We can completely understand what they are going through. It's just great, when you see the work we put in throughout the year. People on the outside probably don't understand we have done all year. "But it's just unbelievable to win this." G reflects on her Win

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