Charleville AFC Ladies contest their second Desmond Cup Final in two seasons. After what has been a long and exciting season for the Charleville Ladies team, it all comes down to this Sunday 26th June when they travel to the Desmond League home pitch in Clounreask for a 12pm Kick Off vs Abbeyfeale who have just been recently crowned the Premier League Champions. Last season both these teams also contested the Ladies Desmond Final with Abbeyfeale taking the spoils after a stunning extra time free kick under a calm Monday night sky.
This season Charleville Ladies have ventured around the country through various competitions, with trips to Galway and Dublin in the FAI national competition which has been a memorable campaign. Along with this being narrowly beaten in Munster Quarter Final by league rivals Ballingarry also stop the Ladies in their tracks for some provincial silverware.
While on paper the league campaign was underwhelming, all games were decided with one goal and unfortunately our Ladies were on the wrong side of these games.
The Ladies squad have a never say die attitude and in recent weeks the narrow defeats and hard work has turned into convincing wins on the field of play which provide great momentum for the girls.
The Desmond Cup campaign has been one to really savour with 14 goals scored so far on their journey. Convincing wins in the 1st round and Quarter Final versus First Division sides Askeaton and Creeves knocking five and six goals passed them really started to show the quality the women have. Chloe O Brien was the difference in the semi final with a late goal to knock out fellow Premier side Ballingarry and set up another date with Abbeyfeale. There is plenty of hope going into the final versus the Premier Champions as Charleville turned the season on its head when the sides met a few months ago in a thriller win in the FAI.
Can Chloe O Brien keep her scoring power of the Desmond Cup going strong as she has 6 to her name? Can Charleville Ladies get their hands on some silverware and pick up their first Desmond Cup title? A very special thank you to John O’Halloran and his wife Marie for their support all season with the ladies panel. John’s business “O’Halloran Energy Solutions ” sponsored the ladies with a beautiful new kit this season and Marie’s business “Soul On Fire, International Coaching and Mentoring” sponsored fabulous match day tops, both John and Marie have been brilliant to work with and we see them as very much a part of the Charleville Afc family along with their son Lorcan.
Finally a huge thanks to everyone who has supported us all season. One last game, one last hoorah. Come on the town!!!!
Please come and support the Ladies on Sunday 26th June at 12pm in Clounreask Askeaton.
Squad: Amy Jenks (GK), Kelly McNamara (C), Siobhan O Hara, Alex O Keeffe, Laura Dundon, Cathy Drinan, Chloe Dundon, Sarah Heagrty, Marian Cronin, Roisin O Riordan, Sarah Heelan, Mairead Shinnick, Aoife McNamara, Beth Stapleton, Kaylee Stapleton, Nadine White, Chloe O Brien, Cayleigh McNamara, Amy Fowley, Catriona Davies, Ciara Harty
