It was a final to remember!!  What can be said a great team performance from all the ladies of the Tinahely GAA team.  With great support, fine weather a march behind the band and the National Anthem this is what final days are all about, however there was one thing that was missing from the day and that was the presence of the No 4 jersey Kate Hatton should have being lining out in but unfortunately Kates cousin Glen passed away during the early hours of Sunday morning and a minutes silence was held in Aughim as a mark of resepect.  The ladies were determined not to go home without a Championship medal to Kate after all her efforts throughout the year so it all started when the ball was thrown up and with Tinahely playing into the sun the first ball broke down to Balto whos quick attack forced a free from the Tinahely defence which Norton converted.  The Tinahely Ladies knew it was early days but could not afford to lay off the gas or loose concentration so the ball was moved quickly up the field which Tinahely availed of their first score.  Tinahely enjoyed majority of the possession for the first half and with Erin Dixon feeding danger woman Lucy Mulhall with some great balls she had no problem converting her scores 2-2 in the first half.  A great point from the 45 range saw Jackie Kinch coming onto the score sheet.  There was a few close moment in the first half where Baltinglass worked the ball well to their danger woman Annmarie Doran but Dunne was forced off her line twice to clear up 2 goal chances giving up 2 45's.  Sarah Hogan did fantastic at keeping county player Ger Norton quiet as did Deirdre Healy with full forward Rosie Keogh.  Tinahely went in with a good lead at half time with a good lead 4-8 to 0-5 but in the 2nd half the tides turned and it was Balto that enjoyed majority of possession and with them popping over their points they were slowly getting back into the game and then Rosie Keogh gave Balto added further belief to the team when she hit the back of the Tinahely net bringing the score to 1-9 to 4-8.  It was then a Killer blow from Laura Hogan with a qiuck ball from centre back Bridget Kenny to Jackie Kinch to Hogan where she found the back of the Balto net once again.  Time was running out for Balto and with Lorraine Dunne adding another score Balto worked it back up the field and were awarded a free kick which they converted and a quick point to follow.  Caoimhe Bowes stood firm in defence to deny yet another Balto goal after a free kick was dropped short in the hope of a goal with Deirdre Healy clearing it up but the ball was worked back in quickly and with the ref blowing his whistle and pointing to the penealty spot, Tinahely players were in disbelief.  With Norton stepping up to take the penalty she hit the post and with Jackie Kinch booting the ball up in the air from the rebound again the ball found the ground the whistle had blown to end the game.  Tinahely celebrations were high as they took home their very fist Junior A title and with Caroline Dunne accepting the trophy on behalf of the Ladies she paid tribute to Baltinglass for a great game and also said how proud Tinahely were to accept this trophy as it was a special trophy to the Tinahely Ladies as it is the Kathleen O'Neill cup.  Kathleen was a native of Tinahely and tried to set up a ladies team on a couple of occasions and it was a great honour to take this cup home to the club she worked endlessly for.

Well done Ladies on a great achievement and we look forward to seeing and supporting you at Senior Level next year.

Scorers on the day Lucy Mulhall and Laura Hogan 2-3 each, Loretta Gilbert 1-0, Jackie Kinch and Lorraine Dunne 0-1 each.