Cooke and Malone battled it out for bottom spot in this seasons All Ireland League. It’s been a difficult season for both sides and, while their may be some small green shoots of improvements ahead, it’s doubtful it’ll be enough to improve the lot of either side next season.

It’s the second successive meeting and the first half was certainly better fare than last weeks match. Malone were much more competitive up front thanks largely to the return of Lauren Maginnes and the late parachuting into the back row of Fern Wilson.

However, the continuing presence of Ashleigh Orchard in the Cooke back line has dramatically improved their organisation in attack and defence and it was the youngster . . .