WestmeathLadies Gaa LGF Division 1 Féile Final: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-8 St Loman’s 1-5.
History was made in Springfield on Tuesday evening when Mullingar Shamrocks won the Westmeath LGF Division 1 title for the first time after a tremendous display in what was a superb game of football with neighbours St Loman’s. Both players and team mentors are to be complimented on the display and the sporting spirit in which the match was played; not a word of disagreement was exchanged between players or mentors over the duration. Appropriately before the trophy was presented both teams mingled for a group photograph.
Moya Kilmartin pointed after three minutes to establish a lead that was never subsequently lost. It was the type of point rarely seen now on a football pitch as Moya dropped kicked the ball over the crossbar. Ella Frayne added a second point with Moya centrally involved; this point began with a clearance from goalkeeper Emily Ford and was typical of Shamrocks scores on the night – the product of excellent teamwork, combination and making the right decisions. A great individual run from Orla Casey that ended with a point reduced the deficit. Moya Kilmartin pointed again before Clodagh Keane extended the lead with a wonderful team point (‘That was some point’ according to the note book record.) It began with a subtle pass deep in defence and the ingredients included a little shimmy-dummy by Ava Sheahan in full flight. Clodagh and Moya added a couple of scores before Lucy Kilmurray pointed for St Loman’s to bring the interval score to 0-6 to 0-2 in favour of Mullingar Shamrocks.
Shamrocks goaled immediately after the restart; a quick free released Clodagh Keane who delivered to Suzi Corroon. Suzi’s first touch was perfect and she collected and delivered a perfectly timed pass to Moya Kilmartin racing through who finished to the net. Shamrocks, clearly the better team at this stage, looked secure with a seven-point lead (1-6 to 0-2). St Loman’s had other ideas and after 6 minutes the recovery began. The excellent Orla Casey’s free dipped under the bar for a vital goal. St Loman’s won possession from the restart and Orla pointed again. Momentum at this stage was very much with the visitors and the Shamrocks backs did some excellent defending at this stage. Orla Casey again pointed from play. St Loman’s again secured possession from the restart and Lucy Kilmurray pointed to reduce the deficit to the minimum (1-6 to 1-5). This proved to be St Loman’s final point as Shamrocks recovered the initiative. A pointed free by Moya Kilmartin brought relief to Shamrocks and after a scoreless spell Susie Corroon pointed from play.
There was time for one final attack and this began with the pass of the night as Alannah Burke found her mid-field partner Orla Nohilly with a wonderful cross-field pass. We won’t see many better passes in Springfield this year. Orla transferred the ball to Roisin Ledwith who released Moya Kilmartin. Moya made no mistake, finished to the net for the final score of the evening, and secured a deserved title for Mullingar Shamrocks.
Mullingar Shamrocks qualified for the final on Easter Monday after emerging from a group of St Loman’s (a loss), Moate and Caulry in matches played in Moate; next stop was Garrycastle where The Downs were defeated in a very tight semi-final game.
Well done to all involved in this first-time title victory especially to the team management of Carole Finch, Lisa Burke, Matt Ledwith, Emma Morris and Carol Fulham. This is an excellently coached team with the emphasis on teamwork, working hard and good decision-making. Practically every score was the result of excellent combination play, which was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the victory.
Next stop, Derry for the national Féile finals at the end of June.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Emily Ford; Aoife Cleary, Eilis Nohilly, Kate O’Donoghue; Karla Keena, Ava Sheahan, Alice Geelon; Alannah Burke (captain), Orla Nohilly; Elsa Bird, Roisin Ledwith, Moya Kilmartin (2-4), Ella Frayne (0-1); Emily Maguire, Suzi Corroon (0-1), Clodagh Keane (0-2). Roisin Cornally, Ella Corroon, Orla Cosgrave, Keela Doran, Eloise Glynn, Lily-Rose Rock, Lauren Masterson, Amy Smith, Abigail Nohilly, Mary Lyons.
History was made in Springfield on Tuesday evening when Mullingar Shamrocks won the Westmeath LGF Division 1 title for the first time after a tremendous display in what was a superb game of football with neighbours St Loman’s. Both players and team mentors are to be complimented on the display and the sporting spirit in which the match was played; not a word of disagreement was exchanged between players or mentors over the duration. Appropriately before the trophy was presented both teams mingled for a group photograph.
Moya Kilmartin pointed after three minutes to establish a lead that was never subsequently lost. It was the type of point rarely seen now on a football pitch as Moya dropped kicked the ball over the crossbar. Ella Frayne added a second point with Moya centrally involved; this point began with a clearance from goalkeeper Emily Ford and was typical of Shamrocks scores on the night – the product of excellent teamwork, combination and making the right decisions. A great individual run from Orla Casey that ended with a point reduced the deficit. Moya Kilmartin pointed again before Clodagh Keane extended the lead with a wonderful team point (‘That was some point’ according to the note book record.) It began with a subtle pass deep in defence and the ingredients included a little shimmy-dummy by Ava Sheahan in full flight. Clodagh and Moya added a couple of scores before Lucy Kilmurray pointed for St Loman’s to bring the interval score to 0-6 to 0-2 in favour of Mullingar Shamrocks.
Shamrocks goaled immediately after the restart; a quick free released Clodagh Keane who delivered to Suzi Corroon. Suzi’s first touch was perfect and she collected and delivered a perfectly timed pass to Moya Kilmartin racing through who finished to the net. Shamrocks, clearly the better team at this stage, looked secure with a seven-point lead (1-6 to 0-2). St Loman’s had other ideas and after 6 minutes the recovery began. The excellent Orla Casey’s free dipped under the bar for a vital goal. St Loman’s won possession from the restart and Orla pointed again. Momentum at this stage was very much with the visitors and the Shamrocks backs did some excellent defending at this stage. Orla Casey again pointed from play. St Loman’s again secured possession from the restart and Lucy Kilmurray pointed to reduce the deficit to the minimum (1-6 to 1-5). This proved to be St Loman’s final point as Shamrocks recovered the initiative. A pointed free by Moya Kilmartin brought relief to Shamrocks and after a scoreless spell Susie Corroon pointed from play.
There was time for one final attack and this began with the pass of the night as Alannah Burke found her mid-field partner Orla Nohilly with a wonderful cross-field pass. We won’t see many better passes in Springfield this year. Orla transferred the ball to Roisin Ledwith who released Moya Kilmartin. Moya made no mistake, finished to the net for the final score of the evening, and secured a deserved title for Mullingar Shamrocks.
Mullingar Shamrocks qualified for the final on Easter Monday after emerging from a group of St Loman’s (a loss), Moate and Caulry in matches played in Moate; next stop was Garrycastle where The Downs were defeated in a very tight semi-final game.
Well done to all involved in this first-time title victory especially to the team management of Carole Finch, Lisa Burke, Matt Ledwith, Emma Morris and Carol Fulham. This is an excellently coached team with the emphasis on teamwork, working hard and good decision-making. Practically every score was the result of excellent combination play, which was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the victory.
Next stop, Derry for the national Féile finals at the end of June.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Emily Ford; Aoife Cleary, Eilis Nohilly, Kate O’Donoghue; Karla Keena, Ava Sheahan, Alice Geelon; Alannah Burke (captain), Orla Nohilly; Elsa Bird, Roisin Ledwith, Moya Kilmartin (2-4), Ella Frayne (0-1); Emily Maguire, Suzi Corroon (0-1), Clodagh Keane (0-2). Roisin Cornally, Ella Corroon, Orla Cosgrave, Keela Doran, Eloise Glynn, Lily-Rose Rock, Lauren Masterson, Amy Smith, Abigail Nohilly, Mary Lyons.
