Na Dúnaibh come up short against Mungret in All-Ireland Junior final

Donegal and Ulster junior champions Na Dúnaibh were unable to match Mungret St Paul’s from Limerick in the All-Ireland decider at Parnell Park.

Na Dúnaibh came up against a side who had much taller and more physical players all over the field and in Grainne McKenna and Jayne Casey in the inside line, they had matchwinners.

The pair hit 0-9 of their final total and in the end Mungret were fully deserving winners of the final.

Na Dúnaibh fought to the end but with the wind at their backs in the second half they just couldn’t produce the scores. They were just two points adrift at the break and had the best goal chance of the opening half, but apart from a late penalty award, they just couldn’t match their opponents in the second period.

Shannon McGroddy tried her heart out as did Charlie Ni Shibhleain Emer Trearty, Julie Trearty, the McLaughlins, Denise Doherty and Lauren McBride.

The Donegal girls were trying to follow in the footsteps of their neighbours Termon, who won the senior club title 10 years ago this year.

The more physical Mungret side were on top for big periods of the opening half even though playing against the breeze.

They were on the scoreboard after three minutes switch Jayne Casey pointing and the same player added the second after the Na Dúnaibh defence gave the ball away cheaply.

The Donegal girls got their first score on five minutes when Denise Doherty won a free for a slight push on a long ball over the top and Lauren McBride pointed.

But they were under a lot of pressure at the back with the Limerick side having the most of the possession. Charlie Ni Shibhleain was called into action from a snap shot from Niamh O’Keeffe and Grainne McKenna hit the first of two very good frees by her against the wind in the 12th minute.

Na Dúnaibh were living on scraps and sometimes not availing of space down the right although the low sun may have been a factor. They got their second point on 13 minutes after one of their best moves of the half with Caoimhe McLaughlin on the end of it.

But for the next 10 minutes Mungret were totally dominant and added three points between the 17th and 21st minutes and it could have been more. Aine O’Connell, Clare O’Meara (after intercepting a kick-out) and a second free from  Grainne McKenna had them 0-6 to 0-2 ahead.

The Na Dúnaibh girls finally got up a head of steam in  the final five minutes and created a couple of chances including one good goal chance. Caoimhe McLaughlin had a shot palmed clear by the ‘keeper and then Denise Doherty put Lauren McBride through only for her low shot to go wide off the butt of the upright.

But before the half-time whistle McBride fired over two frees in the only period of the game the Donegal side got on the front foot

Half-time: Na Dúnaibh 0-4, Mungret St Paul’s 0-6

Na Dúnaibh started the second half brightly but it was Mungret who got the scores, Jayne Casey after 40 seconds and Grainne McKenna on 39 minutes. The Na Dúnaibh ‘keeper also made a great save from Jayne Casey.

The impressive Grainne McKenna added another from play on 42 minutes to push Mungret five clear. Three minutes later Aoife Morrissey added another as the Limerick side used the breeze to their advantage.

Grainne McKenna (free) and Jayne Casey added two more scores inside 30 seconds for an 0-12 to 0-4 lead.

There was late drama in the 56th minute when Shannon McGroddy won a penalty with Mungret centre half Shannon Burke sent to the sin bin,  but from the spot kick Denise Doherty blazed well wide.

Na Dúnaibh scorers: Lauren McBride 0-3,3f; Caoimhe McLaughlin 0-1

Mungret scorers: Grainne McKenna 0-5,3f; Jayne Casey 0-4; Niamh O’Keeffe, Clare O’Meara, Aoife Morrissey 0-1 each.

Na Dúnaibh: Charlie Ni Shibhleain; Jessica Roberts, Chloe Hay, Maggie Doherty; Aine O'Connell, Emer Trearty, Michelle Wilkin; Julie Trearty, Caoimhe McLaughlin; Amy McLaughlin, Mary T Boyce, Caoimhe McLaughlin; Denise Doherty, Shannon McGroddy, Lauren McBride.

Subs: Meabh O’Connell for MT Boyce (19); Nadine Gallagher for M F Doherty (ht); Maggie Doherty for Wilkin  (47); Danni Ni Shibhleain and Aobha Pasoma for Amy McLaughlin and Caoimhe McLaughlin (both 53)

Mungret St Paul's: Carol Bateman; Caoimhe O'Neill, Laura Dunne, Cameryn Moloney; Jillian Buckley, Shannon Burke, Mairead Clancy; Aine Ryan, Clare O'Meara; Emma O'Rourke, Niamh O'Keeffe, Aoife Morrissey; Jayne Casey, Grainne McKenna, Niamh Crowley.

Subs: Yvette Culhane and Fiona Morrissey for E O’Rourke and N Crowley (both 39); Claire Coughlan for O’Keeffe (45); Jenni O’Malley for J Buckley (52); Megan O’Malley for Casey (55)

Referee: Angela Gallagher (Meath)