Leinster LGFA | Fechins crowned Leinster Intermediate Club Champions

It took extra time to separate the sides in this low-scoring encounter. It may not have been pretty, but the Louth champions St. Fechins dug deep to get the job done and continue on their epic history-making journey.

Played on a very heavy pitch, which had hosted the earlier Junior final, it was difficult to get any kind of momentum going.

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Balyna’s captain, Rachel Cribbin, opened the scoring with a point from play. A nervous start from Ava Briscoe saw a placed ball go wide of the mark.

But this was forgotten as she pointed a minute later following a foul on Orla McEvoy and opened Fechins account. Both sides were guilty of wides, with Fechins coming from captain Orla McEvoy with a rushed effort.

Caoimhe Ní Buhuicéal, with a point from play, edged the Kildare side ahead at the quarter way mark, but it was short-lived as Céire Nolan played the ball off to Ava, who levelled the match again.

Both goalkeepers were kept busy as a number of shots came in high, but they both dealt with them and cleared their lines.

Another attack fell short into the Fechins square but was blocked down, then again Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal converted on the rebound with seven minutes left on the clock.

Lana Devine's shot went wide of the mark as the Balyna defence forced her to rush her kick. Ava Briscoe also went wide of the mark from a free as the Fechins went in search of the equaliser.

Ceire Nolan fouled, and a quickly taken free directly to Roisin Kavanagh saw her run straight through the defence and popped it over the bar from the “D”.

A free for Balyna on the 40 m line saw them through for a score, but again fell short and was expertly caught by Molly Savage. At the halfway mark, it was level at 0-3 points each.

Great defending from Fechins thwarted Balyna’s open attack, which was immediately turned around and received a running pass from Lana Devine. Ava struck well and pointed from play.

Birchall had a chance with a 14mtr free but just went wide of the target. An accidental hit on Ceire Nolan paused the match for a number of minutes, but she was able to continue.  Scores were hard to come by as both sides' defences were on overdrive.

Anna Redmond was on hand to shut down Balyna’s run following a turnover down the other end of the pitch. It took till the 18th minute for Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal to level the match from play.

A free following a tackle on Roisin Kavanagh gave Ava another point from the subsequent free. Balyna hit wide before another attacking run saw Fechins shot drop short into the goalie’s hands.

A shoulder on Hayley McDonnell saw Balyna’s Aoibheann Birchaill receive a yellow card, but Fechins failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

Julie Branigan received the ball inside the scoring zone and looked like she was heading for the top corner, but it went over the bar to equalise with three minutes of normal time left, but a number of injuries.

Balyna had everyone behind the ball, making it very difficult for the Fechins to find the winner. With eight minutes played, neither side were able to convert scores.

Balyna went back up to 15 players with three minutes to go, and Fechins lost Ceire Nolan to a yellow a minute later. Balyna had the last shot of normal time, but it went wide as the final whistle went.

Extra time required, and it will test the mental and physical fitness of both teams to gear up for the final 20 minutes of play.

Rebecca Howell returned to the field of play as a replacement for the yellow-carded Ceire Nolan as the sides went back to up to 15.

Fechins made a driving run from the off, and Ava pointed from play to put them ahead.  Ava Briscoe's next shot from the right-hand side went wide of the mark.

After a clash of heads, Fechins lost Captain Orla McEvoy due to an eye injury and was replaced by Rosie Savage. Both sides exchanged wides before Balyna had a shot on goal, but it went wide. End of first period of extra time St Fechins 0-6 Balyna 0-5

Ceire Nolan back on for Lana Devine at the restart. After a foul on Roisin Kavanagh, Ava Briscoe pointed to put two points between the sides for the first time.

Balyna were through for a goal but again kicked it wide. Cramp was affecting many players with almost 80 minutes played. Rachel Beirth was replaced by Niamh Kearney with a minute and a half to go.

Played continue, but shots dropped short twice into the keeper's hand. A final charge for Balyna gave them a free from the 20 m line, which they shot short but was intercepted by Ava Briscoe. The final whistle went, and Fechins were crowned Champions.

All players were outstanding and there were many contenders for player of the match from Molly Savage in goal, Anna Redmond and Orla Brennan in defence, Ceire, Hayley and Roisin in the middle and of course Ava Briscoe, who was named Player of the Match.

St. Fechins: Molly Savage, Moya Corrigan, Anna Redmond, Orla Brennan, Leanne Devery, Rachel Beirth, Lana Devine, Orla McEvoy (c), Ceire Nolan, Alice Johnston, Ava Briscoe 0-6(3f), Roisin Kavanagh (0-1), Molly Matthews, Rebecca Howell, Caoimhe Hynes.

Subs: Sara Moore for Alice Johnson (14min 2nd), Molly Matthews for Rebecca Howell 29th min 2nd, ET Rosie Savage for injured Orla McEvoy 1st 8th min,  Erin McDonagh for Hayley McDonnell 12th min 1st , Céire Nolan for Lana Devine 2nd, Niamh Kearney for Rachel Beirth 18th min.

Referee: Sinéad McHugh.