Under 16 Ladies Championship Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 4-13 Coralstown Kinnegad 3-07
Last Sunday morning St Lomans Mullingar and Coralstown Kinnegad met in TEG Cusack Park on a perfect day for football. Coralstown Kinngead came into the game as red-hot favorites considering this group had won their last two championships at under 12 and under 14 level, beating St Lomans twice in the process.
The Blues started the brighter of the two teams and hit four early points through Jane Charles, Katie Kilmurray and two placed balls from Paige Matthews. Lomans took charge of the game when Katie Kilmurray found Meabh O’Hara who was initially blocked down but O’Hara persisted and somehow forced the ball over the line from close-range. The next few minutes brought a feast of goals, Kinnegad were awarded a penalty which was duly converted by Therese Murray. Lomans responded with a goal of their own through Katie Kilmurray who sent a rocket into the Kinnegad net, but it was cancelled out by a goal from Kinnegad’s Erin Donoghue. The sides continued traded scores through Katie Kilmurray and Therese murray respectively. The Lomans ladies pressed on before the break with a placed ball from Paige Matthews and a point from play for Caoimhe Kilmurray. Therese Murray’s free kick was the last score of the half leaving the score-line at 2-08 to 2-02 in favor of the Lomans girls.
The Second half was like the first in that it brought constant end to end action. Coralstown narrowed the gap to four points with two points from Emer Fogarty and Therese Murray. However, the Saints struck a hammer blow when Meabh O’Hara’s effort dropped underneath the crossbar and into the net to give Lomans breathing space. The sides then traded scores with Matthews and Murray on target yet again for their respective sides. With nine between the teams Kinnegad faced an up-hill task, and the game was all but over when Aoibhe Hogan jinked past two Corlalstown defenders and hit a low shot into the back of the net for a fourth Lomans goal to increase the gap to twelve points. Paige Matthews put over another placed ball, but Kinnegad were handed a lifeline when Faith Okafor hit the net for their third goal. The Sides then traded scores with Jane Charles and Therese Murray on target. In the latter stages Matthews and Hogan added further points to seal the win for Lomans. Therese Murray got the final point of the match to leave the full-time score at 4-13 to 3-07.
A monumental day for St Lomans Mullingar, this group of players have lost their last five finals, coming off second best to both Coralstown Kinnegad, Goldsmith girls twice and most recently to Milltownpass last year. However, if you ever needed a lesson in never giving up just take a look at this team who have elevated themselves to a new level this year. Lomans were fantastic from Goalkeeper Eimear Doonan to the final sub, Orla McDermott. They showed guts all over the pitch and covered every blade of grass in order to get the better of a classy Kinnegad outfit.
In terms of individual performances, Eimear Doonan was a brick-wall in the second half, pulling off show-stopping reflex saves to deny Kinnegad on several occasions and she showed great maturity for a girl still playing at under 14 level. Shannon Breslin another under 14 was fantastic and defended superbly all game, as well as her fellow defenders. Caoimhe Kilmurray was her usual self in midfield winning countless possessions and she was productive in attack in terms of assisting and scoring. Katie Kilmurray and Meabh O’Hara were brilliant, and their scoring output was proof with both girls contributing 3-3 between them. Finally, Paige Matthews free kicks were stunning. She ended with a 100% record from placed balls, the sign of a good player is staying calm in un-nerving situations and Matthews showed this is abundance. However, the Blues were brilliant all over the pitch and were well deserving winners on the day. Commiserations to Coralstown Kinnegad who are a fantastic side, and their brilliance has pushed St Lomans on. Finally, congratulations and a big thanks to the management team of Alan Quinn, Enda Matthews and Andrea Martin who have devoted their time and effort to the girls over the past year. A great day for this group of players which ended with Lomans Skipper Paige Matthews lifting the trophy!
Team; Eimear Doonan, Shannon Breslin, Niamh McKenna, Abbie Norris, Grace Byrne, Shauna Treanor, Lara McCartan, Jane Charles (0.02), Caoimhe Kilmurray (0.01), Lucia Weir, Katie Kilmurray (1.02), Paige Matthews (0.07f), Rachel McKenna, Meabh O’Hara (2.01), Aoibhe Hogan (1.01). Subs used, Jane Duggan, Orla McDermott. Rest of panel; Eve Hickey, Abbie Devine, Eve Scally, Cliona McGinley, Anna Sheehy, Lauren McCormack, Caitlin Graham.
