McDonnell and Gainstown find an extra gear

St Colmcille's NS 2-8, Holy Family PS 0-12

(After extra-time)

In a welter of excitement, St Colmcille’s NS, Gainstown won the Girls Football Division 1 title at TEG Cusack Park on Thursday, defeating neighbours Holy Family Primary School by two points after extra-time.

It was 1-6 to 0-9 at the end of a titanic battle and it took a great goal from Emily McDonnell to finally edge St Colmcille’s into a match-winning position, two minutes into the first period of extra-time. She dashed clear of the opposing cover and finished low to the net; having then added a point for good measure, she picked up an injury in the energy-sapping heat and even though she couldn’t continue, Emily had crafted a two-point lead at crucial stage, and it was 2-7 to 0-11 at the end of the first period.

Just two further scores followed, Clodagh Keane’s free bouncing over via the upright and Ella Frayne replying for Holy Family, who had to give second best on the day. Afterwards, Clodagh Keane accepted the cup from chairman Derek Butler and Emily McDonnell’s heroics earned her the Player of the Match award, her 1-2 tally crucial in such a gripping contest. There were heroines everywhere in this match, Chloe Bell keeping Holy Family in touch with 0-8.

It was generally tit for tat, Holy Family leading by 0-4 to 0-3 at half-time in normal time, a fine Chloe Bell point one of the main highlights. Emily McDonnell was prominent also, pointing with the left and setting up Chloe Kiernan with a terrific delivery for another minor. The final was level three times in a compelling second half before Holy Family took a three-point lead, 0-9 to 0-6, when Chloe Bell slotted over a free. But with four minutes remaining, Roísín Cornally latched on to a long pass and found the net at the second attempt; the Gainstown girls applied relentless pressure in search of that elusive winning score before extra-time was required.

With splendid sunshine and high temperatures, fatigue was inevitable and Gainstown found that bit of energy at the opportune time. Emily McDonnell made the decisive break for her side’s second goal, two minutes into extra-time and that was the catalyst for victory. Penny Bohan and Chloe Kiernan combined to set up Emily McDonnell for a point two minutes later and while cramp appeared to force her off, her 1-1 haul at that juncture was to prove vital.

This was a memorable final, overall, and it generated wonderful excitement among supporters of both schools - certainly one of the highlights of a memorable week at TEG Cusack Park.

Scorers - St Colmcille's: E McDonnell 1-2, R Cornally 1-0, A Corroon and C Keane (1f) 0-2 each, P Bohan and C Kiernan 0-1 each.

Holy Family: C Bell 0-8 (6f), A O'Sullivan 0-2, M Dale and E Frayne (f) 0-1 each.

St Colmcille's NS, Gainstown: Anna Flood, Éilis Nohilly, Evie Farrell, Kate O'Donoghue, Georgia Tully, Katie Bohan, Clodagh Keane, Emily McDonnell, Penny Bohan, April Corroon, Chloe Kiernan, Róisín Cornally, Lily McDonald, Zoe Vambeck, Robyn Lynam, Leah Garrigan, Rowan Lucy, Carla Flood, Aoife Cleary, Róisín Gavin, Aifric MacDonagh Cave, Lara Wright, Lucy Flynn, Aoibhinn Gavin, Anna Farrell, Hollie Maguire, Olivia Corrigan, Connie Ní Bhraonáin, Alannah Gilligan, Ivy Timlin, Alexandra Vambeck, Millie Gavin.

Holy Family NS, Mullingar: Phoebe Molloy, Hannah Cleary, Ellen Plunkett, Hannah O'Brien, Heidi Molloy, Caoimhe Shanley, Chloe Bell, Mia Dale, Elise Buckley, Aoibhín O'Sullivan, Ella Frayne, Rachel Cummins, Orla Cosgrave, Saoirse Dixon, Zoe Fitzpatrick, Orla Cornally, Éadaoin Ryan, Ellyn Toomey, Anna Perez, Aoife Newcombe, Arwen Sheeran, Stella McKeown.

Referee: Ken Gunning (St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge).

*See special pull-out in this week's Westmeath Examiner for coverage of all Cumann na mBunscol finals