Stabannon Parnells  1-11  Bride Rovers  1-08

Stabannons stunning run of form continued when they qualified for the All-Ireland Intermeadiate Club Final thanks to a hugely impressive victory over Cork and Munster champions Bride Rovers  on Sunday afternoon. Despite enjoying home advantage the Parnells faced an uphill  task against a strong  Munster outfit, while they also had to show great character to turn in such a quality display  just a week after winning the Leinster title against Oldcastle. It was a fine all round display that brought Stabannon  their reward with another outstanding defensive  display matched by some clinical work in the forward line. In midfielder Grace Lynch the winners had the star player whose wonderful display was capped by a superbly taken goal, midway through the second half  that turned the game in her sides favour. This was by no means a one woman show as Andrea Carney and the Giggins sisters were superb in an excellent defensive unit, while Tara Lynch and Aine McGee were most prominent in attack, with the latter also dropping back to help out in defence, with Danielle Sharkey also made a telling contribution after coming in as sub. It was a fully deserved win for Stabannon as  the Cork side scored 1-05 of their 1-08 total in a ten minute spell after half time and could only score 0-02 in the opening 30 minutes and 0-01 in the final quarter.  Stabannon shook off the first minute loss of ace forward Jenny McGuinness, who was harshly sent to the sin-bin after what appeared to be an accidental collision with Emma O'Keefe, and responed to that body blow in impressive fashion as Tara Lynch pointed from a free in the fifth minute. Just two minutes later Grace Lynch doubled the home side lead with a fine score from a tight angle. Bride Rovers got off the mark in the 10th minute as All-star nominee Grace Kearney hit a fabulous point with her left foot. Stabannon  showing great intensity in their play took a firm grip on the game and hit four well worked points during the next sixteen inutes through Tara Lynch (2) Grace Lynch and Aine McGee to lead by 0-06 to 0-01. They also created other chances with Deirdre Lynch hesitating and having her shot charged down with Tara Lynch shooting wide from the rebound. Tara herself then just failed to get a touch to a high centre from her sister Kim, as  any connection would have almost certainly led to a goal. Grace Rogers also had a chance but shot weakly which the keeper saved as Stabannon enjoyed  a period of near total dominance. Sinead Walsh from a free had Rovers second score in the twenty sixth minute but a good interception by Carney set up Tara Lynch to fire over to put Parnells 0-07 to 0-02  ahead at the break. It could have been even better for the hosts as a Bronagh McGrane pass set up Mary Maloney for a goal chance only for the ball to slip from her grasp at the crucial moment.

Nonetheless it was looking good for Stabannon at the break, but the Fermoy side showed  the form which made them Munster champions as they came storming back in the third quarter and within seven minutes of the re-start had taken the lead. Points from Sinead Walsh, Elaine Dee and Grace Kearney gave the rebel side renewed hope, before the outstanding Kearney beat two defenders and calmly placed her shot into the net to gave the visitors the lead for the first time 1-05 to 0-07 in the 36th minute.The change  made by the Rovers management of positioning Kearney on the edge of the square was having the desired effect and fuelled by the confidence of the goal they upped the tempo and threatened to sweep the hosts aside as they added further points through Walsh and Jennifer Barry to lead by 1-07 to 0-07. The home side needed inspiration and as she has done so many times in the past for both club and county it was local hero Grace Lynch who provided it in the 44th minute, taking a pass from Aine McGee, she cut inside from the wing  to send a brilliant shot past Caitriona Vaughan in the Corks side goal to level the score at 1-07 each, as this thrilling  contest took a decisive twist. Tara Lynch won the resultant kick-out and sent over to put Stabannon back in front. Pairc Parnell came  alive with the electricity of the home fans who believed a famous victory  was on the cards. Cheers turned to groans however  as both Rogers and McGuiness  then had wides in the space of 90 seconds. A fine point by Mary Maloney settled the nerves before a foul on Tara Lynch saw Jenny McGuiness extend the Stabannon lead to 1-10 to 1-07  with the clock showing 52 minutes. Parnells manager Ciaran Marks then introduced Danielle Sharkey and the teenager was on the field only a matter of seconds when  she  jinked  her way past a couple of defenders and hit one of the scores of the match off her left foot from some 30 metres. Stabannon showed all their experience and know-how to close out the match and while Kearney did not notch an injury time point it was no more than a consolation and it was  Stabannon who were celebrating when Micheal Henry sounded the final whistle thus maintaining their winning habit.

A dissapointed Bride Rovers manager Ireen Hogan felt the Stabannon goal by Grace Lynch was crucial, "the goal came at a great time for them, we lost our way somewhat after that. I feel we let them get too far ahead, 5 down at half time is a lot. We worked hard to get in front but the goal was a killer. I feel Stabannon are a very good side. They beat some good teams to win a very competitive Leinster Championship . Their support play was top drawer and they  held the ball very well late on. We have no complaints, good luck to them, I  believe they will win it now. A delighted Stabannon manager Ciaran Marks felt the yellow card  issued to Jenny McGuiness early on was harsh, but we took strength from that, Tara was up front on her own and won some great possession despite being up against two defenders, we played with a great intensity which they found hard to cope with. They re-grouped during the break and came out really fired up, the changes they made helped them. It took us a while,but we eventually came to terms with them,  Graces (Lynch) goal came at just the right time, it gave us a great boost, as was Danielles (Sharkeys) wonderful point.

1. Nicola Barry                                                       Oonagh Giggins                          Andrea Kearney                                   Orlagh Byrne  Bronagh McGrane                       AnnMaree Lynch                                Siobhain Giggins 

Grace Lynch 1-02,                           Kim  Lynch                            Deirdre Lynch                           Grace  Rogers                       Mary Maloney  0-01,            Jenny McGuiness  0-01              Tara Lynch 0-05,                  Aine McGee  0-01              Sub- Daneille  Sharkey (D.Lynch) 0-01.                                                                          Bride Rovers - G.Kearney 1-03, J.Barry, S.Walsh 0-02 each, E. Dee 0-01

[Report: Dermot Woods]