Sacred Heart win All-Ireland Senior Football title in nail biting finish!
With four minutes to go in this All Ireland Senior Ladies Football Final, the score board read 3:3 to 1:9. The Bower, of Athlone were pulling all the strings at this stage of the game, having scored the last 2 scores, a well worked point and a goal from a penalty decision, that stirred up a fair degree of bewilderment from both sets of players and supporters. This game was a classic final, full of hard work, never say die spirit, great goals, well worked points and good general play that was often sprinkled with final day nerves. The occasion served up to its expectations with two very honest and evenly balanced teams going at it for the 66 minutes of play time.
It was Sacred Heart who started the brighter, but despite the early onslaught could not find their scoring groove. Orlaith Deasy settled some nerves with a point from a free. The Bower had placed their star centre forward, Aine McGrath as a sweeper and it was her hard and direct running of the ball from defence that punished the Clonakilty students. In a classic counterattack she linked superbly with the tall and powerful Keeva Reid who blasted to the net. As often is the case in games, the dominant team for the opening 10 minutes, found themselves scratching their heads wondering how they could be behind!
This Clon outfit has always reacted and they lifted their game to pile on the pressure and were rewarded with 2 beautiful points from the accurate Siofra Patwell and Deasy before Patwell added another when a goal looked likely. It was typical of this great bunch of students who have demonstrated huge resilience in every game, always responding when needed. Just when Sacred Heart had regained control, The Bower got another lifeline when a blasted goal chance came off the crossbar and following a gaol mouth scramble, the ball ended in the back of the Clonakilty net. Reid then added a point from play and Clonakilty looked in trouble at 2:1 to 0:4
When games are analysed there is always a period of play where teams can reflect and point towards a period of play that sets them up for a chance to win. The last 10 minutes of this first half were indeed a glorious 10 for Clonakilty. Katie McCarthy ably assisted by the hard working Eimear O’ Brien began to command the centre of the pitch, driving forward and linking well. Lydia Sutton and Róisin Ni Bhuachalla ran the wings and Aisling Moloney won everything that came her way. Patient and precise interplay yielded 3 points without reply. Ciaradh McCarthy ghosted in behind the defence to kick a fine point from an acute angle. Moloney kicked a beauty and Millie Condon roared through the defence, looking like the ball was destined to the net but drifted over. The short whistle blew, and the score read 2:1 to 0:7.
Clonakilty wasted no time in putting their stamp early on in the second half. A rejuvenated defence demonstrated coolness and composure. In particular the full back line were faultless. Alannah O’ Brien at full back had a stormer of a game, reading the ball with a natural flair of someone who has played multiple All Ireland finals. In both corners, Clonakilty had 2 gems in Ruth Shanley and Mary Murphy. Both had outstanding finals, disposing, blocking and running the ball out from defence time and time again. Maeve Kingston was also rock solid and added a crafty coolness to the West Cork outfit when it was needed. Kate O’ Donovan at centre half back found her rythm and held the centre of defenece.
A push on Orlaith Deasy gave Clonakilty a penalty and it was Deasy who calmly sent the keeper the wrong way, sending the large Clonakilty faithful into ecstasy! Ni Bhuachalla followed with another point and things were looking good until the referee issued a yellow card to Deasy for a collision with an Athlone defender. All of a sudden, the wind was sucked out of Clonakilty’s sail and the Bower sensed that now was their time. With Deasy now counting the 10-minute clock in the dugout, the Bower girls took the game on and then came the turning point in this final. As Lisa Sheehy bore down on goal the magnificent Katie Hearne flew out from her line blocking the ball at close range, when a goal looked certain. The resultant clearing from defence over the line was relief for Clonakilty, but this was short lived as a long conversation had ensued between the referee and umpires. A penalty was awarded and duly received when the net billowed. One could sense the swing in momentum and the Bower knew this all too well, levelling the game with a point.
Then Sacred Heart did yet again what they only know what to do, and that was, respond by attacking. This resulted in a free which Patwell duly kicked. It was a pressure kick from distance and was the boost that was required. Then Deasy returned to the pressure cooker and kicked the insurance point. Aoife Meade made a significant contribution to Clonakilty’s late late show, always taking on her marker and passing intelligently. Niamh Kennedy also proved to be a super sub and played very well in the wing back position. Millie Condon fresh from her All-Ireland success with the Cork minors last weekend was awarded player of the game, She tormented the Athlone defence all day with her strong ball carrying ability. Lydia Sutton lifted the Cup to the great delight of the large contingent from West Cork. It finished Saced Heart Clonakilty, 1:11 The Bower, Athlone 3:3.
