Na Fianna 7-7 Cavan 4-16

IN a thrilling Ladies final at Gaelic Park on Sunday, Na Fianna defied the odds with a dazzling comeback from 16 points down to secure a draw with the last kick of the game. It sets up a replay at the same venue on Sunday at 3:30 to try and decide who will be crowned this year's champions.

With both sides giving virtuoso performances in front of goal, Cavan in the first half, Na Fianna in the second, no one deserved to lose. A replay was certainly the just reward for both sides after the enthralling hour of unbelievable football.

While the teams split the first two scores it was all Cavan in its aftermath. Four points from Renee Murphy, Emma Clarke (two) and Justine Clifford preceded a goal from Clarke when Marie O'Neill set her free.

Molly O'Rourke had a point from a free, but again Cavan attached a further 1-3 with O'Neill snagging the second goal that looked like it may have killed the game as a contest.

Points and goal number three came again from Clarke. It was one way traffic before O'Rourke finally pulled a goal and a point back for Na Fianna as the break arrived. It gave them heart as the second half sat on the horizon.

Another O'Rourke free opened the second half to make the scoreline 1-4 to 3-10 but it was cancelled out with gusto by O'Neill, who teamed with Emma Clarke and shot to the net.

Clarke followed with two points from play before Aine O'Dwyer pulled one point back. It was the calm before the storm. O'Rourke broke in on goal on the 10th minute and found the net with a low drive; it was followed almost immediately by another goal from Ann Ryan.

On each kickout they were battling repeatedly and they were making it extremely difficult for Cavan to work the ball out. O'Rourke burst inside the 21 after a Molly pass to get goal number four, and she added another moments later to make the scoreline 5-5 to 4-14.

Cavan were shell-shocked, and their only reply was two points from O'Neill and Clarke. Linda Wall, Karen Henry, Joanne Monaghan and Mairead Wall stopped outlet passes, and they were feeding the ball continually into the inside forwards.

O'Rourke added points from play to put six between the sides, and when she broke in for another goal from play it left one score between them. At this point Caroline, who had won a championship with Na Fianna in 1994, was screaming for a brandy on the sideline to calm the nerves, but John Kelly or the clock could not help her.

From an 18 point deficit it was now down to three. With two minutes on the clock cramps and injuries stopped the game momentarily.

A final solo run into the square by Molly, who was having an outstanding game, ended when she was pulled to the ground for a penalty. With the buzzer sounding, to say it was the final play of the game. O'Rourke stepped up and drove to the net, Ger Rice saved but the rebound went to Mary and she calmly tapped to the net for the tie-ing score in an incredible final.

Where to start with the accolades? It is agreed that it was a game of two halves.

Cavan's Mary Maguire, Orlagh Cullan, Renee Murphy and Ailish Cornyn were excellent in the first half. Emma Clarke is a wizard in front of goal, with Marie O'Neill also doing tremendous work.

As the second half unfolded Na Fianna came to grips with the game. Nora McGrail is an excellent keeper, and her kick outs started to find her teammates as the game went on. Joanne Monaghan, Karen Henry and Stephanie Tierney, who belied her years, had brilliant second periods.

Linda Wall came into the game while Imelda Mullarkey did amazing work. The ploy of moving a marker to her shoulder backfired.

Mary O'Rourke showed nerves of steel and took all her chances well. Molly O'Rourke showed she is the best player in town at the moment; her profile grows with each game.

Cavan: 1 Geraldine Rice, 2 Orlagh Cullan, 3 Mary Maguire, 4 Roisin Clarke, 5 Aimee Gomez, 6 Ailish Cornyn, 7 Catriona Smith, 8 Linda McKeon, 9 Renee Murphy (0-3), 10 Ciara Moore (0-1), 11 Marie O'Neill (2-3), 12 Rosie O'Reilly, 13 Kelly McArdle, 14 Emma Clarke (2-8), 15 Justine Clifford (0-1).

Na Fianna: 1 Nora McGrail, 2 Ashley Brophy, 3 Jessie Garcia, 4 Stephanie Tierney 5 Karen Henry, 6 Joanne Monaghan, 7 Edel Tierney, 8 Aine O'Dwyer, 9 Linda Wall, 10 Imelda Mullarkey, 11 Mairead Wall, 12 Grace Kelly, 13 Mary O'Rourke (3-1), 14 Molly O'Rourke (3-5), 15 Ann Ryan (1-1).

Referee: Vivian Hardiman (Western Gaels, Roscommon).

A difficult decision at the end of the game but he handled it very well. He let the game run a touch and it certainly was far more physical than any game in recent memory.

Players of the game: Molly O'Rourke (Na Fianna), Emma Clarke (Cavan).