Bealnamulla ladies fail

Bealnamulla"s defence of the Combined Counties Women"s Cup came unstuck at Leah Victoria Park last Sunday, as Tullamore avenged their defeat to the same opposition in last year"s decider. Although Geraldine Griffith gave Bealnamulla an early lead, Tullamore fought back to earn extra-time and eventually saw off their close rivals after a tense encounter. Bealnamulla will have an early opportunity to get revenge for this defeat though, with the sides also due to meet in the Women"s League decider this coming Sunday (see CCFL fixtures for details). Last year"s cup decider between these sides went to extra-time before Bealnamulla eventually triumphed on penalties. Bealnamulla had some of the game"s finest performers with Gina Dowling, Ashling Egan, Ruth Finlass and Emma Treanor all excelling. Geraldine Griffith gave Bealnamulla the lead in the opening stages of the contest, heading home Gina Dowling"s corner kick. But despite having the majority of the opening half, Bealnamulla failed to build on their advantage and there was always the chance Tullamore would come back into the contest. Tullamore "keeper Emma Martin and her back four were having solid games, while playmaker Sylvia Gee was a constant menace to Bealnamulla. Gee was unfortunate not to score in the 51st minute when her excellent free kick crashed off Yvonne Dolan"s crossbar. But Tullamore were level twelve minutes later. Louise Molloy worked a short free kick into Gee"s path and she delicately swept home a fine effort from the angle of the penalty area. Bealnamulla suffered a blow when Griffith, a livewire up front, was forced off injured on 73 minutes, but they could have won the game when Aisling O"Hara set up Dowling but she failed to convert from close range. Tullamore managed to hold out for extra-time and made Bealnamulla pay for failing to convert their superiority in terms of possession into further goals. Substitute Jenna Cornally was Tullamore"s hero in extra-time, converting from close range after a mix-up in the Bealnamulla defence. TULLAMORE TOWN: Emma Martin; Regina Healion; Anna Connolly; Hilary Healion; Joan Lennon; Sylvia Gee; Niamh Flaherty; Clare Cantwell; Patrice Stapleton; Louise Molloy; Sarah Spollen. Subs Used: Jenna Cornally, Camilla Dunne, Majella Casey. BEALNAMULLA/ATHLONE TOWN: Yvonne Dolan; Sharon O"Brien; Ruth Finlass; Aisling Egan; Edel Biggins; Catherine Costello; Michelle Gately; Claire Grehan; Emma Treanor; Geraldine Griffith; Gina Dowling. Subs Used: Aisling O"Hara, Rachel Creighton. REFEREE: Paddy Nolan.