Sheridan’s goal seals Cavan’s win over Tipperary in Ladies’ Intermediate final

CAVAN 1-14 TIPPERARY 1-12: Bronagh Sheridan's late penalty sealed Cavan's victory in yesterday's TG4 All-Ireland ladies intermediate football championship final at Croke Park.

The Breffni County, beaten finalists two years ago, defeated 2008 champions Tipperary in an entertaining final at GAA HQ. In the process, Cavan won their first All-Ireland title since their sole senior success in 1977.

Sheridan stroked home a crucial penalty goal with five minutes left, after Tipperary goalkeeper Patricia Hickey was sinbinned after fouling player of the match Aisling Doonan.

The sides were level on four occasions before Cavan found the crucial scores to get over the line by just two points.

The penalty finished Tipperary who had got off to a flying start and led by 0-3 to 0-0, before Cavan drew level.

But the big score of the first half was provided by Tipp forward Mairead Morrissey, who crashed home a superb solo goal in the 13th minute. That goal opened up a 1-3 to 0-4 lead for Tipp and at half-time they led by just a point, 1-7 to 0-9.

However, Cavan were in no mood for more big-day misery and a landmark victory was secured with that priceless late penalty from Sheridan at the Hill 16 end.

CAVAN: C Fay; P Lynch, G McGlade, J Moore; S Greene, A Cornyn, R Jordan; R Crowe (0-1), D English; C O'Reilly (0-1), R O'Keeffe, M Sheridan (0-1); G Smith (0-3), B Sheridan (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees), A Doonan (0-4, 0-3 frees). Sub: C Smith for O'Reilly (40 mins).
TIPPERARY: P Hickey; B Condon, S Lambert, R Kenneally; A O'Dwyer, C Carroll, B Ryan; J Grant, S Carew (0-2, 0-1 free); L O'Shea, M Morrissey (1-1), C Walsh (0-1); N Lonergan, G O'Brien (0-3), E Hanley (0-5, 0-2 frees). Subs: K Hackett for Walsh (40 mins), A McCarthy for Hackett (53 mins), H Kennedy for Hanley (55 mins).
Referee: G Chapman (Sligo).