Claremorris girls crowned
Final
Claremorris 1-15
Mount St Michael
Dungannon 2-5
St Patrick’s Academy
Michael Commins
Longford
MAGNIFICIENT Mount St Michael’s carved their own niche in ladies schools football when they landed the All Ireland ‘B’ title in spectacular fashion at Pearse Park on Saturday.
There was a strength and resilience to this entire performance that spoke of deeper values and a tremendous commitment to reaching the goal of their journey. It was all worthwhile when inspirational captain Sarah Tierney raised the cup amid delirious scenes of absolute jubilation.
Over the course of the campaign, Mount St Michael blossomed along the way. Lucky to survive from a replay against Glenamaddy in the Connacht Final, they became the most focussed combination in the country and powered their way to national glory.
From the outset, they staked their claim. Aoife Hyland, a legend with her colleagues, rocked the Dungannon net three minutes in. It was a marvellous strike by Aoife after a defence-splitting attack featuring Sarah Tierney, Amy Bell and Edel Nolan. This was the launching pad for a great afternoon for the Claremorris school.
The Claremorris girls danced with their dreams in that opening half. A number of special moments epitomised that spirit that had thrown its mantle over their shoulders and blended them into such a formidable unit.
Laura Kelly lost possession, tackled the defender, won back the ball and cut through to post a superb point. Uplifting. There were a succession of wonderful scores from Aoife Hyland, Stephanie Delaney, Rebecca Kean, Doireann Hughes, Laura Kelly and Amy Bell. And then there was ‘that’ point from Sarah Tierney from away out the field. Pure magic.
By half-time, Mount St Michael were sitting on a 1-10 to 0-3 lead and, in their heart of hearts, they must have been aware that they truly had the measure of the Ulster girls. And they needed that belief because, for a ten minute spell during the second half, the Tyrone girls came surging into the game.
The rally came after Mount Michael had consolidated their position with two marvellous points from Doireann Hughes and Laura Kelly and one from a free by Rebecca Kean.
The Dungannon rally was inspired by some superb displays by Nicola Raftery, Emma Jane Girvan, Emma Connolly, Faoiltearna Keenan and Aoife McCann. Aware of the old adage that very few teams dominate an entire game, the Dungannon girls sensed an opening and when Nicola Raftery scored a peach of a goal, there was a fresh wind in the Ulster sails.
Aoife McGahan added a point. A penalty award threatened the Claremorris dominance but, for the second time in the game, full forward Aoife McGahan blasted narrowly wide from the penalty spot.
The let-off was short-lived as Dungannon struck for a second goal a minute later, Louise Kelly putting the finishing touches to a class attack.
However, the Claremorris side regained their composure, closed down the avenues for the Dungannon girls, and a late point from Rebecca Kean moved them into the winner’s enclosure.
For managers Ger Slattery and Fr Mike Murphy, this was a day borrowed from heaven. Their team had delivered in style. Sarah Tierney was superb, Laura Kelly and Doireann Hughes got through a huge amount of work, Stephanie Delaney showed real class, and Aoife Hyland, well Aoife was just Aoife! Rachel Tierney and Deirdre Dolan were truly outstanding in the defence, Amy Bell, Edel Nolan and Rebecca Kean were excellent in attack.
Katie McCormack and Rebecca Kearns also did well in defence, ably assisted by Amy Brett and Maeve Kirrane while goalie Elaine Murphy also played her role in this famous victory.
The subs on this special day in the history of Mount St Michael were Sarah Commons, Joanne McCormack, Rachel Griffey, Niamh Parsons, Ciara Carty, Sarah Farragher, Chloe Morley, Lisa McGreal, Dawn Regan, Elaine Commins, Enya O’Connor, Jacqueline Prendergast and Rebecca Nevin.
Mount St Michael
Elaine Murphy; Deirdre Dolan, Rachel Tierney, Katie McCormack; Maeve Kirrane, Rebecca Kearns, Amy Brett; Stephanie Delaney (0-1), Sarah Tierney (0-1); Doireann Hughes (0-2), Aoife Hyland (1-2), Amy Bell (0-1); Laura Kelly (0-3), Edel Nolan, Rebecca Kean (0-5, 4f).
St Patrick’s
Aine Palmer; Ursula McGee, Aoife Cullen, Cora Grogan; Emma Connolly, Michelle McGuigan, Faoiltiarna Keenan; Laura Kilpatrick, Nicola Rafferty (1-0); Ann Scullion, Emma Jane Girvan (0-3), Louise Kelly (1-0); Aislinn Carroll, Aoife McGahan (0-2), Carla Mallaghan. Subs: Marian Barker for M McGuigan, Cora McNulty for A Scullion.
Referee: P Kehoe (Carlow)
