Mayo school lose Connacht final in highly-controversial circumstances

CONNACHT LGFA PPS SENIOR D FINAL

Coola Community School 3-10

Davitt College Castlebar 4-6

SWINFORD AMENITY PARK

TODAY was not a good day for Ladies Football. There have been controversial finishes in sport since the first human reckoned they were quicker than their neighour in the next cave down, but this afternoon's well-contested schools final between Coola and Davitt College takes controversial to a different level entirely. Sadly, the clearly debatable moments weren't restricted to the closing stages either, and the sense of dismay and disbelief on the faces of players, management, parents and supporters of Davitt College after the final whistle was concerning.

The final was contested between two excellent teams - and the excellent Coola squad well deserved their joy at the conclusion following a contest where little or nothing separated the sides from first whistle to last. 

The sides were level at half-time with Davitt having 2-3 to their name and Coola 1-6. The Davitt goals arrived from Eimear O'Donnell and Ava Flynn after fantastic approach play from the excellent Cliodhna Dowling, but they will forever wonder why a third goal was ruled out long after the umpire had waved the green flag. Katie Heaney, Hannah Hautman and Alannah Keaveney all kicked points for the Castlebar students but Coola were equally impressive at the other end.

Orlaith Scanlon, Grainne Smith, the outstanding Ciara Gilligan, Leanne Galvin and Aine Moyston were attacking at pace at every opportunity and a goal from Galvin was no more than their approach play deserved.

The second half began with a Coola goal from Scanlon but Davitt were beginning to dominate in many sectors of the pitch and points arrived from Hautmann and O'Donnell before a goal from O'Donnell put the Mayo girls in front after 48 minutes, 3-5 to 2-7. Indeed, Davitt felt they should have been further in front after the umpire waved the white flag when Helen Murrihy split the sticks, only for the point to be chalked off.

The huge number of frees awarded stalled both sides as they tried to play their way forward. Indeed, the 'frees-against' count makes for very interesting reading. 

Coola found themselves a point clear going into the last six minutes but a flowing Davitt move ended with Murrihy cracking the ball to the net and when she put three between the teams two minutes later it seemed as if Davitt were going to win it. However, the pattern of the day continued and Coola came up the pitch. Leah Harte had a goal shot saved by Maeve Kelly but Grainne Smith followed up and leveled the game.

The winning point came a minute later, and the circumstances left many shaking their heads. Two Coola girls collided as they ran to gather the ball. Amazingly, a free was awarded and from the subsequent play, Aoibhin Doherty kicked the winner. It was a joyous ending for a top-class Coola team, but a terribly sad one for a gallant Davitt College squad. It wasn't a good day for Ladies Football. 

A full report and analysis will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.