THE CLOCK HADN’T even struck 10.30am this morning, but Limerick side Gerald Griffins had already played a hard-fought 60 minutes of football to win a county championship title.
They beat Groody Gaels in the junior ladies decider in Knockainey, the ball thrown in at 9am.
The scheduling raised eyebrows over the past few days, with the Limerick county board coming under serious fire for the bizarre throw-in time.
City club Groody Gaels had requested an alternative date due to a clash with ‘an international women’s rugby tournament’, but the county board said that Gerald Griffins were unable to accommodate that before the end of the calendar year due to player availability, and so left them with little option but to schedule the early start.
10.45am, Cup secured, time for breakfast @LadiesFootball @LadiesFootball @ballsdotie @d_brien @officialgaa pic.twitter.com/sZoPQBpMH0
— Anois (@AnoisPhoto) September 16, 2017
Despite desperate calls for change, the final went ahead as fixed and it was Gerald Griffins who came out on top.
The Gaels started on the stronger foot with an early goal through Maeve Higgins.
Gerald Griffins rallied however, with Limerick stalwart Dymphna O’Brien — who finished with a tally of 1-6 — stepping up to the mark to clock several inspirational scores.
With Avril Dalton, Ciara O’Donnell and Amy Hanrahan among the goal scorers before half-time, Gerald Griffins went into the break with a lead of 3-6 to 2-4.
On the restart, O’Brien again showed her class and rattled the net while Ashling Duhig added her second goal to keep Groody Gaels in touch.
The west Limerick side held on despite a late rally, 4-7 to 3-5 the final score as they bring the title back to Loughill-Ballyhahill after losing the last two finals.
Junior Final under way in Knockainey pic.twitter.com/haVzXru3Xg
— LimerickLadiesGaelic (@LKLadiesGaelic) September 16, 2017
Getting breakfast out of the way now! Early start in morning for Limerick junior ladies football final - Gerald Griffins v Groody Gaels #9am pic.twitter.com/ipdUq4cBZP
— Jerome O'Connell (@JeromeSport) September 15, 2017
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Fine player, only a matter of time until united ruin him
@Buzz O Sullivan: you must have missed the start of the season with him so?
@Buzz O Sullivan:
Should have known you were a Liverpool fan. Manchester United are the reason Daniel James is now playing in the Premier League, He scored 3 goals already
@Just Some Guy: as I said only a matter of time…
@Buzz O Sullivan: here mate, this is not about United or Liverpool it is about a good young player scoring a good goal. Unbelievable how small minded fools bring it back to premier league football rivalry. Giggs is taking risks and playing young lads, more power to him.
@Seagoat returns: I bleed the red of Liverpool, everything in my life revolves around it. Ynwa
@Buzz O Sullivan: What a sad life that must be.
@Buzz O Sullivan: I’d hope that that’s sarcasm. Can’t understand how anyone could ‘bleed’ any pl side in this day and age given the flippant nature of mercenary players and management.
I doubted Daniel James when he first joined Manchester United but he has proved me wrong. Keep up the good work for club and country
He has been the only positive part of Uniteds start to the season for me.
Daniel James looks like a great young player. He only seems to score quality goals. Let’s hope one or two of our young lads in the 21s become as good as James, Wilson and ampadu
Welsh out in force
Add Jadon Sancho and Declan Rice to that Utd team and they’d suddenly be feared again