Connolly the catalyst for the ‘Castle in thrilling final
Westmeath LGFA Division 1 League final: Garrycastle 5-10, St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge 4-12
John Dingle reports
An amazing second half comeback from St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge fell just short as Garrycastle held on to lift the Division 1 league title in dramatic fashion.
The ‘Bridge ladies trailed at half-time by a massive 15 points, but stunned the Athlone side to level and then lead as the final drew to a conclusion at Castledaly last Saturday afternoon.
Garrycastle, however, held their nerve, and two points in stoppage time saw them emerge victorious by the narrowest of margins.
The Saints may have been installed as favourites, but Paddy Mulvihill’s team had obviously not read the script. Garrycastle also may only have recorded five more scores than their opponents in the opening half, but crucially all led to the green flag being raised.
The eventual winners got off to a great start with a goal in the first minute as Aoife Connolly dispatched a penalty kick past the goalkeeper’s right. The corner-forward followed up with a further goal and a point before the Saints opened their account.Michaela Brady pointed and followed up with a second score to reduce the deficit to five points.
The next Saints' score was not to arrive until midway through the half at which stage the lead had stretched to a dozen points. Further goals from Connolly and Laura Walsh added to the ‘Castle tally, as Connolly and Elaine McGovern also pointed.
Points were then exchanged up to the end of the half, but the lead went out to 15 points with the fifth goal in additional time. Connolly raised the green flag once more and the cup looked destined to be heading to Garrycastle, even with the second half yet to come.
The Rochfortbridge outfit looked to have only pride to play for as they lined up for the second half trailing by 0-5 to 5-5. What followed next was truly astonishing as the outcome only became clear in stoppage time.
The half had not started well for the Saints as a shot from Lisa Cully was pushed onto the upright by the Garrycastle goalkeeper in the first minute. A goal and two points started the ‘Bridge revival but, when Connolly popped over a free after seven minutes, the lead was still a substantial eleven points.
The advantage was still in double figures as the half headed towards the midway point. The pride had been restored among the Saints ranks, but there surely was too much between the teams for a successful comeback to be staged.
A three-goal blitz in as many minutes turned the game on its head though, as the Saints came back from a seemingly impossible position. Lisa Cully, Karen McDermott and Nicola Judge all raised the green flag in quick succession. A point from Brady left it 5-7 to 4-10, and a game that looked over at half-time was now delicately balanced.
Garrycastle were stunned, and although Walsh restored the lead with a free after 19 minutes, it was but brief respite. Sarah Dolan came on at this stage for Garrycastle, and although missing an early chance following her introduction, her experience proved invaluable.
Two frees from Megan Brick edged the ‘Bridge back in front, and the slender lead was carried into stoppage time. It would have completed an amazing rise from the dead, but there was a thrilling late twist to proceedings.
Connolly levelled the scores in the second additional minute as Michaela Brady was off target at the other end. The game looked set to head to extra-time and nobody would have been displeased at this late stage.
Garrycastle scored just five times during the second half, but the most crucial of all was the last one, which proved to be the winner. Connolly again restored the ‘Castle’s lead with a point in the fourth additional minute, but still the Saints had one more chance to level matters.
Karen McDermott was close to scoring for the ‘Bridge, but was out of luck, allowing Garrycastle to hold out. The additional time eventually stretched towards five minutes before the final whistle sounded to end an amazing thriller of a final.
Player of the match: Aoife Connolly (Garrycastle). The corner-forward was on fire in the opening half and could not be halted as she raised the green flag on four occasions.
Scorers – Garrycastle: A Connolly 4-6 (1-0pen, 0-2f), L Walsh 1-2, A Lynn and E McGovern 0-1 each. St Mary’s: M Brick 0-6 (5f), K McDermott and N Judge 1-1 each, M Brady 0-3, A Brady and L Cully 1-0 each, J Judge 0-1.
Garrycastle: Megan McCormack, Sarah Carter, Aimee Duncan, Louise Connell, Fionnuala Mulroy, Patricia Igoe, Jane Henshaw, Aine Lynn, Aoife Connolly, Laura Walsh, Elaine McGovern, Orla Connaughton, Danielle Madden, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Laura Brennan. Subs used: Kacey Mulvihill, Amy McGovern, Sarah Dolan.
St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge: Jean Kelly; Rebecca Nolan, Dawn Wallace, Edel Lally; Niamh Carey, Karen McDermott, Nicola Judge; Aoife Brady, Jen Whelehan; Catriona Dunne, Niamh McDermott, Michaela Brady; Lisa Cully, Emma Collins, Megan Brick. Subs used: Jenny Judge, Karen Tracey.
Ref: John Gallagher (Ballinasloe).