Classy Claremorris are champions of Connacht

Connacht LGFA Junior Club Final

Claremorris 2-13

St Brigid's (Leitrim) 2-8

Michael Gallagher in Boyle

There are bonfires over Claremorris this evening to welcome back the Connacht champions. A mighty squad of blue-clad women wrote themselves into history earlier this afternoon in Boyle when securing the provincial title for the South Mayo club.

It required a top-class performance to defeat the hugely impressive Leitrim champions and the Claremorris women were asked numerous searching questions during a final which ebbed and flowed from first whistle to last.

The Mayo champions hit the front after 40 seconds when Nina Wallace crashed the ball to the net and another goal from team captain Laura Kelly propelled them to a 2-6 to 1-5 lead at the interval.

Bee Hession, the excellent Rebecca Kean, Ashleigh Sammon and Síle Hughes were prominent for the leaders but the Leitrim champions were playing some sparkling football.

Éimhín Quinn scored the St Brigid's goal and the chasers finished the half strongly with five points without reply. However the Leitrim women will rue the fact that they kicked eight poor wides in the opening 30 minutes.

Claremorris needed to stop the rot and did so impressively early in the new half with Sammon and Kean kicking points but Brigid's were still well in contention after 48 minutes when a flowing attack ended with the being awarded a penalty.

Impressive full-forward Síomha Quinn stepped forward and sent the ball flying towards the top corner but it slammed off the post and back into play.

A Brigid's goal courtesy of Mary McKeon six minutes from the end closed the gap to four, 2-7 to 2-11, and when same player added a point Abbey Park was rocking with excitement. However, Claremorris would not be denied and injury time points from Sammon and Marina Cawley left five between them and the final whistle unleashed scenes of wild delight before thoughts turned towards the journey home and celebrating a famous win back in their heartland.