Aghamore ladies toast historic Junior A championship success

MAIRÉAD Mooney said from the outset that winning a county junior A title would be a ‘dream come true.’

That was exactly what happened on Friday night on the very MacHale Park sod where the only thing she’d ever chased was Aidan O’Shea’s autograph.

“We keep going on about this dream but it has finally come true,” Mooney said after becoming the first Aghamore woman to captain a Junior A title-winning team.

“A massive game this evening. St Brigid’s were always going to be really tough and I’m just so proud of the girls for digging deep and coming through. It's a massive achievement. We’ll enjoy this one first but we look forward to marching on now.”

The midfielder admitted they “did get off to a bad start” that may have been down “a little bit of nerves.”

But the ghosts of past defeats to Ballyhaunis in the 2022 county final and Claremorris (after extra-time) in the 2023 semi-final did little to hinder them. The opposite, in fact.

“Playing in tight games the last few years and being so close but not getting there really helped,” Mooney said.

“One thing we said all year is ‘comfortable on the ball and patient.’ I think once we got that first score or two up, our patience showed and we brought on a few subs just to see it home.”

Cogent as her post-game analysis was, reality had not yet fully sunk in.

“I still feel like I’m in a dream,” she said with a glimmer in both eyes. “All year I kind of dreamt of this moment, not even as captain, just as being part of this team to walk up them steps and get that cup, so I’m just so proud of all the girls and the work they’ve put in this year. I’m so happy for them that it’s all paid off and we’re victorious this evening.”

And so ended Aghamore’s summer of tragedy on a cool, glorious autumn evening in MacHale Park.

“We’re very conscious of James [McNeive] and the tragedy that the club has suffered in recent weeks and months,” said Mooney, “so we’re just so proud that we can put a smile to people’s faces in the club and bring a bit of positivity back to the village as well.”