Coláiste Íosaef, Kilmallock 2/3 Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet
Shannon Lewis (3, 34) Ciara Ginty (36) Tamara O’Connor (Pen 75, 80)
OUR LADY’S OF BELMULLET snatched victory in the dying minutes of normal time to overcome reigning Champions Coláiste Íosaef, Kilmallock in a epic encounter in Salthill Devon FC yesterday (February 2):
There were remnants of last year’s All Ireland showdown at the same venue 12 months previously, whereby Colaiste Iosaef and another Belmullet opposition, St: Brendan’s were in contention for an All Ireland title: That afternoon, Colaiste Iosaef were crowned All Ireland Senior B Girls Champions, the first in the history of the School:
This time around it was Our Lady’s of Belmullet that the reigning Champions were facing in the All Ireland Semi Final showdown:
The Connacht Final was an all Belmullet affair four days previously as Our Lady’s secured a narrow 2/1 win over last year’s provincial winners St: Brendan’s on Monday last:
The Connacht contenders were chasing the game for the most part but had a resilient presence on the pitch that ensured an edgy ending with Captain Tamara O’Connor putting in a match winning performance:
The westerners came from two goals down to snatch the winner and cause some real upset in the competition knocking the favourites out of the title race:
It was Coláiste Íosaef who looked the more powerful in the opening exchanges as Theresa Mulclaires’ charges got the dream start to maintaining their title ambitions as striker Shannon Lewis provided the first of the afternoon with only three minutes registered: The Kilmallock United club player ran onto a well timed pass from Laura Lynns down the left wing: Lewis used her quick feet to slot the ball past Calvey in the Belmullet goal:
Lynn and Lewis were to combine again twenty minutes later for an excellent opportunity to go two up: The ball just had too much pace on it for Lynn to do any damage:
Belmullet were awarded a corner on 32 minutes with Tamara O’Connor sending in an inviting ball into the box: A pin ball effort took place with several attempts on goal but the Kilmallock defence held strong and eventually cleared the danger:
Kilmallock doubled their advantage six minutes from the interval courtesy of Shannon Lewis: The youngster secured her second of the game with Celie Corbett turning supplier:
Calvey was under pressure again moments later in her goal mouth but her quick thinking averted a Kilmallock third when she slapped the ball past the dashing Lewis to deny the pacy striker her hat/trick:
Belmullet’s Ciara Ginty got one back for the Connacht qualifiers just before the break as she finished well under pressure from Shannon Meehan:
The last of the first half action saw Laura Lynns supplying a terrific ball into the box from a corner kick: Shannon O’Gorman connected well but Belmullet’s net keeper Calvey pulled off an excellent save to keep her team in contention:
Mentor Lewis had Kilmallock tactically efficient as he introduced Jodie Kelly for Rosaline MCGowan at half time while Katie Hefferan was brought on in place of Moyo O’Sullivan for Our Lady’s:
Belmullet was unlucky not to equalise four minutes into the second half action as Rebecca O’Sullivan stumbled in the box to scorn a great goal bound opportunity:
Turner and Reilly were shouting advice from the sideline and the message seemed to get across to their players as Belmullet went up a gear: Kilmallock responded by introducing another substitution as Shannon Meehan made way for Megan O’Rourke just before the hour mark:
Lynns provided a powerful ball from a set piece for Niamh McCormack to snatch an attempt at goal: The ball agonising flew past the post in what would have proved a wonder strike:
Tamara O’Connor responded to this with a wonderful free kick attempt which Sorcha McCarthy palmed away to safety:
The turning point in the game came 20 minutes from time as Shannon Lewis went off injured: The goal scorer was a major coil in the heart of the Kilmallock attacking prowess and this was badly missed with her withdrawal from proceedings:
Belmullet made several attempts on McCarthy’s goal and then the crucial moment came when Our Lady’s star Rebecca O’Sullivan was taken down in the box: Up stepped Tamara O’Connor to convert the spot kick, 2/2 with all to play for:
The final ten minutes were exhilarating as both teams played the long ball approach in search of the winner: Belmullet seemed to edge themselves forward in proceedings as the final five minutes beckoned: Another well executed set piece from Tamara O’Connor was to be the talking point of the match: The captain placed an inch perfect ball over the head of McCarthy to snatch the winner with five minutes of normal time remaining plus stoppages
Colaiste Iosaef used all their devices to interject a winner but Ashling Barrett and Katie Duffy were solid in the defensive roles employed by the Belmullet School
Agony for Colaiste Iosaef as the final whistle was heard: The Kilmallock team put in a match winning performance for the majority of the game which may have seen them through in previous games but Belmullet held on to grind out a result in an end to end battle which the westerners now advance in:
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet will now face Ulster stars Mulroy College, Milford in the All Ireland FINAL scheduled for Wednesday, February 22 at the Showgrounds, Sligo (KO 1pm)
COLÁISTE ÍOSAEF, KILMALLOCK: Sorcha McCarthy, Nicola Ryan (Capt), Shannon Meehan, Shauna Maguire, Niamh McCormack, Laura Lynns, Shannon O’Gorman, Sarah Finn, Shannon Lewis, Rosaline McGowan, Celie Corbett
Subs: Megan O’Rourke, Jodie Kelly, Tara Leary, Anna Finn, Zoe Ryan, Jennifer Farrell
Teacher: Theresa Mulcaire Mentor: John Lewis
OUR LADY’S SECONDARY SCHOOL, BELMULLET: Clara Cavley, Cristin Healy, Ashling Barrett, Katie Duffy, Moyo O’Sullivan, Michaela Doran, Diane Doherty, Tamara O’Connor (Capt), Aoife Ruddy, Rebecca O’Sullivan, Ciara Ginty
Subs: Aoife Kilker, Lir O’Donoghue, Suzanne Healy, Charlene McDonnell, Katie Hefferan
Teachers: Robin Turner, Harry Reilly
REFEREE: Marc Lynch (Galway)
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