Lynch Cup Report: Aherne inspires Trinity to
Lynch Cup Victory
Result: Trinity College 3-10 St. Mary's Strawberry
Hill 0-12
Trinity College captured the Lynch Cup after overcoming
a gallant effort by St. Mary's College Strawberry Hill at the
University of Ulster Jordanstown Belfast. Trinity will be thankful
that their full forward Aherne was in scintillating form-scoring
2-4 of her sides tally of 3-10.
It was Mary's who registered the first score of the game after
4 minutes with a pointed free from their influential midfielder
N. Lee. However, the next three points all came from Trinity with
Beasley, Aherne and Purcell all getting on the score sheet. Mary's
responded with another pointed free on 17 minutes from Lee once
more. From the kick out Trinity attacked the Mary's rear guard
and a sweeping move saw the ball fall to Aherne who had no hesitation
and fired the ball passed the Mary's custodian.
Two further points from Aherne from play put Trinity 1-5 to 0-2
points ahead after 20 minutes of play. Mary's were not going to
let this game go without a fight and for the next 10 minutes dominated
proceedings with four points on the trot from McGovern and Lee
(3). The gap now was only two points and it was anyone's game.
Trinity managed to extend the gap to three once more with another
point from Purcell to leave the half time score Trinity 1-7 to
0-06 ahead.
The second half began with both sides exchanging scores. Mary's
were to receive yet another blow when danger woman Aherne ran
at the Mary's defence to crash the ball to the net once more.
But Mary's responded with two points from frees by Lee to leave
the score 2-8 to 0-09 with 20 minutes left to play. Points from
Purcell for Trinity and Lee again from a free for Mary's meant
that the gap was still 5 points. Both teams were giving it their
maximum effort and as this was their second game in as many games
tiredness was setting in. The game ebbed and flowed with both
sides guilty of missed opportunities. However, Trinity extended
their lead with a point on 26 minutes from the boot of Cunniffe
and things did not look good for Mary's at this stage as time
was running out. The vital score of the game came on 29 minutes
when Trinity produced another flowing move up the field which
ended in a Morris goal.
This score ended the game as a contest. Further scores for trinity
from Aherne from play and two for Mary's from Lee and Byrne meant
that the Trinity ran out as winners on a scoreline 3-10 to 0-12.
This game was contested in a fine sporting manner and produced
some good football and provided the viewing public with great
excitement.
The star of the show was Aherne for Trinity and she was the difference
on the day while Lee in midfield for Mary's especially from dead
ball situations was impressive.
Trinity College: N. Costigan, A. NiMhealoid, M. Shiels,
F. Maye, G. NiMhaille, E. Kelly, K. Cronin M. Beades, E. McGrane,
E. O'Connor, L. Purcell, S. Marley, G. Cunniffe, S. Ahearn, D.
O'Riordan, C. Courtney, L. Morris, C. Kearns
St Marys, Strawberry Hill: Davey, F. Breen, O. Smith, J.
Hannon, L. Tighe, A. Hagan, M. Geoghegan, S. Daly, N. Lee, S.
McMenamin, K. Crowley, J. Loftus, S. Byrne, S. McGovern, O. Tiernan,
C.McCrystal, L. McDonagh, M. Culligan, O.Ennis, A. Fitzpatrick,
L. O'Donnell
