Ballymackey claim Women’s Division 1 title
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Ballymackey’s Hazel Cawley is challenged by District of Castletroy’s Katie King in their Division 1 clash in Ballinree. PHOTOS: ODHRAN DUCIE Odhran DucieImage 2 of 4
Ballymackey FC captain Lisa Toohey accepts the Division 1 League trophy from Richie Kennedy. Odhran DucieImage 3 of 4
Ballymackey FC - Tipperary Women’s League Division 1 North winners. Back row: John Delaney (manager), Laura Gleeson, Zoey Gratton, Thia McCarthy, Niamh O’Brien, Darra Bourke, Aoibhín Delaney, Chloe Whyte, Emma Nolan. Front row: Chloe McAuliffe, Lisa Toohey (Captain), Hazel Cawley, Nicole Ryan, Rachel Sheehan, Christine Morrow. Odhran DucieImage 4 of 4
Birdhill FC - Tipperary Women’s League Division 2 North winners.DIVISION 1
Ballymackey 5-3 District of Castletroy
Ballymackey were crowned Tipperary Women’s League Division 1 champions after seeing off title rivals District of Castletroy last Wednesday evening.
The Limerick side travelled up the M7 to Ballinree for the final game of campaign, knowing that only a win would be enough to force a title play-off with their top of the table hosts, Ballymackey.
The home took the through lead in the first half through Christine O’Keefe, and shortly she sent the hosts two clear and on their way to the title, but the celebrations were stifled somewhat when Rebecca Shinnors lashed home a reply for the visitors just before the break.
Lisa Toohey restored the hosts two goal cushion early in the second half, but again the Limerick side would not lie down, Shinnors again finding the net to halve the deficit and give hope of a comeback.
The hosts were awarded a penalty midway through the second half, which Christine O’Keefe sent into the back of the net to complete her hat-trick and all but quell the Castletroy fire.
Hazel Cawley capped off her own impressive league campaign by scoring the home side’s fifth goal. To their credit, District of Castletroy stayed fighting and brought the game back to 5.3 by the final whistle with a goal from Rosie Young.
Ballymackey captain Lisa Toohey was presented with the league trophy from Richie Kennedy representing the league committee.
DIVISION 2
Birdhill 0-0 Newport Town
Newport made the short trip to Birdhill and somewhat spoiled the host’s title party by holding the free scoring champions to a scoreless draw.
CUP
The Tipperary Cup commences this week with all teams from both divisions taking part, notably the heavy hitters Ballymackey and District of Castletroy are on opposite sides of the draw, but there are teams on either side that will fancy a swipe at the Division 1 champions and runners up. Second division champions Birdhill will fancy a crack at any Division 1 team, if they do manage to meet District of Castletroy in the semi-finals it is safe to say we will be treated to a very high scoring game.