LADIES FOOTBALL Despite trailing by three points with half a minute of normal time remaining, Carnacon eventually had seven points to spare over St Brigid’s in the Connacht final.
Carnacon come through in a clinch Final
Carnacon 3-7
St Brigid’s 2-5 Daniel Carey Clogher BE careful what you wish for. Two years after they hammered St Brigid’s, Carnacon welcomed the Roscommon champions to Clogher on Sunday and would have been hoping for a more competitive fixture than they got in 2006. But with less than a minute of normal time remaining, the visitors led by three points and seemed set to pull off a shock victory.
But Carnacon have not made Connacht their personal fiefdom without knowing how to come through in a clinch. First, Claire Egan picked out Natasha Beegan, and the wing forward slammed a thunderous shot into the top corner of the net. The sides were level and, as the game drifted into injury time, Cora Staunton put Carnacon in front from a self-earned free.
Moments later, Fiona McHale’s long-range attempt at a point ended up going under the crossbar. From three points behind, the home side were suddenly four ahead, and Caroline McGing iced the cake with a point before the end.
A game this close could be the making of Carnacon, who literally had no contest on the day of the county final and had something to spare over both Geevagh and Corofin. Yet it goes without saying that they will have to improve greatly on this to display if they’re to make a fist of retaining their All-Ireland title.
St Brigid’s were desperately unlucky not to have at least secured a draw. Despite losing centre back Sarah Finnerty to injury and having both Cliodhna McHugh and the effective Mary Beades sin-binned early on, they led by a goal at the break, 1-3 to 0-3. The ‘major’ came six minutes into first-half injury time, as the excellent Cliodhna McHugh made sure after Jennifer Conlon’s effort whizzed across the goalmouth.
Claire Grehan had opened the scoring for Brigid’s with two successful frees in the 11th and 22nd minutes, won by Conlon and Áine O’Brien. Cora Staunton finally got Carnacon off the mark after 23 minutes with another free, while Joan Hallinan took a pass from Michelle McGing before popping over the equaliser, after a goal chance had gone a-begging. Staunton converted another free she won herself to give the home side the advantage before Gráinne Cunniffe levelled matters after a high ball from Laura Harrison broke in her favour.
Brigid’s brought huge travelling support with them, and Carnacon were certainly out-prayed in their own cathedral. There was a boisterous atmosphere, though not all of the noise was welcome. Referee Michael Duffy came in for some vituperative and ill-informed abuse from a handful of spectators, while the chorus of jeers which greeted any Cora Staunton mistake was rather pathetic.
The midlanders were deservedly in front at the break, and worked very hard to pressurise the player in possession. Carnacon were clearly rattled and struggled to play their usual game. The gap might have been extended seven minutes into the second half, but Sharon McGing did superbly to block Cliodhna McHugh’s attempt at goal. A minute later, Cora Staunton went on one of her trademark runs, and though her first effort was blocked, she found the net second time around and parity was restored.
It was all action stuff. Áine O’Brien won a penalty for Brigid’s, but Caroline Brennan, who had been penalised, saved Claire Grehan’s kick, and the rebound went wide. Carnacon had Claire Egan sin-binned seconds later, but Fiona McHale nudged them in front after Staunton’s effort came off the bar.
The lead only lasted till the 44th minute, as Cliodhna McHugh won a second Brigid’s penalty. This time she took it herself and made no mistake. She almost grabbed her third goal four minutes later, but Áine O’Brien’s wonderful point from out on the right was some consolation for that miss.
Another self-earned Staunton free cut the gap to two, but a Grehan free left a kick of the ball between them as the clock kicked down. Natasha Beegan nailed that kick, and the rest is history. Relief for Carnacon, tears for Brigid’s. And plenty of food for thought for both sides.
CARNACON C Brennan; N Hurst, S McGing, A Lydon; M Corbett, C McGing (0-1), A Loftus; C Egan, M Carter; M McGing, F McHale (1-1), N Beegan (1-0); J Hallinan (0-1), C Staunton (1-4, 0-4f), N Tierney.
Subs used: N Moylette for M Carter (h-t); S Kelly for F McHale (55 mins, temp).
ST BRIGID’S G O’Brien; C O’Malley, F Gavin, M Kelly; M Walsh, S Finnerty, C Kelly; C Shanagher, L Harrison; J Conlon, M Beades, G Cunniffe (0-1); A O’Brien (0-1), C Grehan (0-3, 3f), C McHugh (2-0, 1-0 pen).
Subs used: A McHugh, R Joyce.
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo)
