Ballymackey Women took on Willow Park in the Combined Counties Football League Women’s Cup Final in Birr Sunday. Birr Town had their facilities in top shape worthy of a Cup Final. Ballymackey suffered a early setback when the influential Chloe Whyte had to be withdrawn due to illness after only 5 minutes. On 15 minutes Willow took the lead when Ballymackey switched off from a throw in the corner the receiver was allowed to return the ball to the taker and her cross was let past 2 Ballymackey defenders and was finished to the net. A end to end game saw changes for both sides and Ballymackey got the equaliser before half time. Kate Cavanagh’s super free kick delivery was flicked on by Lisa Toohey and Christine O Keefe read the flight of the ball superbly to get to it before the outcoming keeper and finish to the net. The second half was played in a similar vain with both sides on the attack. Willow took the lead again for a second time from a corner and again Ballymackey responded when Sub Seonaid Mc Guigan smashed home the equaliser on the half volley at the back post from a corner. All square at the end of normal time the game went to extra time where both side did their best to win the match and avoid the penalty lottery. Right on the final whistle Karen Hogan sustained a nasty injury as she put her body on the line in her trade mark fashion. Karen’s injury required her to remain on the field, receive first aid and await an ambulance so the game had to be abandoned rather than proceed to penalties. Karen and the club are grateful for all the help Karen received from her teammates, opponents, match officials, Birr Town and CCFL Officials as well as all the good wishes she has received as she starts her recovery and return to Football. It was a most unfortunate end to a match that had delivered the spectacle a Cup Final deserved.