Lidl Connacht LGFA Senior Colleges ‘A’ final
Mercy College Roscommon 2-13 St Attracta’s, Tubbercurry 1-15
A tremendous late rally in the final ten minutes saw a determined and courageous Mercy College Roscommon side over the line in this thrilling Connacht Colleges final played at the Connacht Centre of Excellence Air Dome last Thursday. The victory delivered a first title at this grade for the school (formerly the Convent of Mercy) since 2009.
On the overall balance of play the Roscommon side were superior, however they shot 14 wides (11 in the first half) and saw a number of crucial refereeing decisions go against them. That all added up to a tight finish in a contest that was hard-fought and close all through.
Emma Feeney struck for a Roscommon goal in the 4th minute, and with Siofra Hession and Shauna Walsh sharp up front, they led by 1-4 to 0-3 after 18 minutes.
St Attracta’s were economical with their possession, and with Ellen Giblin outstanding from the placed ball, they were always in touch. Then in the 23rd minute the Sligo team were awarded a penalty and Amy McCarthy beat Kiera Kilkenny with the spot-kick.
The determined Roscommon girls responded immediately. Isobel Kenny pulled first-time to the Tubbercurry net after Emma Feeney’s shot had been saved. That key score helped Mercy College into a 2-7 to 1-7 half-time lead.
The third quarter belonged to St Attracta’s. Mercy were temporarily down to 14 players following a yellow card for Grace Geraghty on the call of half-time, and their opponents took full advantage. Ellen Giblin and Kate McCarthy were on target with a flurry of points and then in the 42nd minute the Sligo side had a glorious chance to go ahead.
Referee Gerard Canny awarded what looked like a very soft penalty to the Sligo girls but Amy McCarthy’s effort was saved by Kiera Kilkenny. However the Sligo side were on top, and by the 46th minute they had taken the lead (1-13 to 2-9).
The Roscommon girls dug in and produced a superb final-quarter performance. Siofra Hession and sub Sarah Jane O’Connor were central to this as they kicked two points each to see Roscommon ahead by two going into injury-time.
There were eight minutes of time added on played during which the Tubbercurry girls probed for a winning goal. However all they had to show for their efforts was a late Ellen Giblin free. When the final whistle went the Roscommon school were a point ahead and the title was theirs.
Alanna McCormack, Lily Murray, Aisling Shanagher, Hazel Kelly, Emma Feeney, Shauna Walsh and sub Sarah Jane O’Connor were excellent for Mercy College. A special mention is reserved for Siofra Hession, who was their star performer, especially when her side were under pressure in the second half.
Ellen Giblin was tremendous for St Attracta’s and didn’t really deserve to be on the losing side. Kate McCarthy, Caoimhe Crawley, Grainne Cooke and Amy McCarthy were also prominent for the Sligo side.
Note: Mercy College Roscommon now face the Munster champions in the All-Ireland semi-final in March.
Teams & scorers
Mercy College Roscommon: Kiera Kilkenny; Grace Geraghty, Alanna McCormack, Anna Hussey; Laura McSharry, Lily Murray, Emma Hough; Aisling Shanagher (0-1), Hazel Kelly; Emma Feeney (1-2), Kaitlin Egan (0-1), Alannah Sutton; Shauna Walsh (0-3), Siofra Hession (0-4, 3 frees), Isobel Kenny (1-0). Subs: Sarah Reilly for McCormack (37), Sarah Jane O’Connor (0-2) for Hough (46), Ivannah Looby for Sutton (51), Clara Tully for Feeney (58).
St Attracta’s: Catherine Gallagher; Tara Hosey, Mary Peig Horkan, Aoibheann Durcan; Katelyn Walsh (0-1), Anna Kate Davitt, Arlin Barrett; Caoimhe Crawley, Blathin Lavin; Kate McCarthy (0-3), Grainne Cooke, Amy McCarthy (1-0, pen); Ellen Giblin (0-10, 9 frees), Lucy Henry (0-1), Mia Durkin. Subs: Tara Queenan for Walsh (29), Tara McLoughlin for Hosey (51), Madeline Gorman for Durkin (58), Aoibhe Gormley for Cooke (61).
Referee: Gerard Canny (Mayo).
Player of the Match
Siofra Hession (Mercy College Roscommon)
