Jubilant scenes greeted the final whistle in Clonberne as PCH senior ladies were crowned Connacht champions on Monday after defeating St Cuans, Castleblakeney on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-4. After a number of big wins in earlier games, the team came into the final relatively untested. However, roared on by a vocal band of supporters, we had a strong start with Lauren Price firing over two early frees with a Leah Toher point sandwiched between them. Lauren added another free and PCH were in control at 0-4 to 0-0. Lauren and Ava Heneghan were unlucky not to hit the net during this period as Ava hit the crossbar and Lauren went close also. St Cuan’s did look dangerous going forward but outstanding defending from the PCH backs kept them at bay more than once. When they did breach our defence Leah Toher was on hand to make a last ditch goal line clearance. Leah’s block was typical of the way the team but their bodies on the line from the first minute to the last. The East Galway school eventually got off the mark with two frees from their full forward before Ava Heneghan replied with the last score off the half to leave the score 0-5 to 0-2. Goalie Ciara Fannon was in top form on the day and she pulled off a point blank save to preserve our three point half time lead.
The second half started well for the Headford school with Lauren Price firing over a free to extend the lead. However the scoreboard wasn’t troubled again for a long spell as despite creating many chances, both teams failed to capitalise on them. St Cuan’s thought they had been handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty but once again Ciara came to the rescue with the save. St Cuan’s misery was compounded when Melissa Walsh got on the end of a great team move, before rounding three defenders and rattling the net. This gave PCH the cushion we needed. Despite their best efforts, St Cuan’s couldn’t break through the resolute PCH rear guard. After holding the opposition to two scores for nearly an hour, the concession of two late points made no difference and referee Gerard Canney’s final whistle was the signal for joy unconfined for all connected to PCH.
As already mentioned Ciara Fannon was one of our stand out performers, keeping a vital clean sheet. Aisling O Toole, who has been consistently excellent all year, was once again inspirational at centre back. Isobel Goodbody, who moved from corner back to full back for the second half, gave one of her best ever performances in a black and white jersey. Second year student Alisha O Malley had St Cuan’s wing forward on the back foot from the start, winning their battle hands down. Captain Gillian McGrath and Leah Toher ran themselves into the ground, defending and attacking, as the need arose. Sinead O Neill at centre forward always does the kind of selfless hard work that is pivotal to victories like this. She was all over the pitch, breaking up opposition attacks one minute and making herself available to the defence for a pass the next. Lauren Price has been our top scorer and a constant threat at no14 all year and yesterday was no different. The fact that St Cuan’s dropped a sweeper back to try and curb her influence is testament to this.
Team- Ciara Fannon, Isobel Goodbody, Dara Whelan, Saibh Byron, Alisha O Malley, Aisling O Toole, Jennifer Browne, Gillian McGrath, Leah Toher, Ella Lydon, Sinead O Neill, Rebecca Lee, Melissa Walsh, Lauren Price, Ava Heneghan. Subs used- Rebecca Hastings and Maeve Lynn. Other subs- Maeve O Connor, Chloe Murphy, Rebecca Devine, Amy Curran, Jane Mullin, Lisa Greaney, Roisin Joyce, Laura Hastings, Nicole Heneghan, Niamh Campbell, Robyn Walsh, Kate Stephens, Alice Heneghan, Keela Martyn.
Coach Ms Tuffy deserves great credit for the effort she has put into this team and the victory is just reward for her as well.
Match report by Danny Corbett
