Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin Finals 2020 Part 2:

The Final   An Cluiche Ceannais

Baile Uí Chonaill 3-4, Scoil Mhuire na nÁird 2-3

The final pitted us against Shillelagh’s Scoil Mhuire na nAird who had beaten Coolafancy NS in the other semi-final.

We started the final in dominant fashion, keeping possession very well and creating many chances. However, Shillelagh showed their quality by opening the scoring with their first chance, a point from play.

Ballyconnell’s tendency to score goals came to the fore once again after that setback. Conal Cullen and Fiach Byrne repeated the trick from the first-half of the semi-final by striking for two quick goals. Midfielder Emily McCarthy hit another score before Shillelagh responded with their second point. This made it 2-1 to 0-2 in favour of the red and black of Ballyconnell.

In defence, Evan Fitzachary was really curbing the Shillelagh threat by staying back and mopping up any loose balls. Anna McNally was defending with great toughness and determination.

All of this defensive hard work paid off when corner-forward Abi Hutton added our second point just as the half-time whistle was blown to make it 2-2 to 0-2.

As was the case with the semi-final, we would have the wind advantage in the second half. Once again, however, there was to be no advantage in it! Shillelagh began to dominate and drew level with two quick goals.

A lesser team would have thrown in the towel at this point. Not Ballyconnell! Off the pitch, our supporters on the side-line increased their volume. On the pitch, Niall Delaney was introduced into the forwards to take the fight to the Shillelagh defence. The next score would be crucial. It came to Ballyconnell; Emily McCarthy keeping a calm head to steer a free between the sticks.

It was now end-to-end stuff, with desperate defence from both sides. This desperation resulted in a free being conceded by the Ballyconnell defence, a  free which was scored to tie up the scores again at 2-3 to 2-3.

Shillelagh went forward looking for the winner but it was Ballyconnell who found that little bit of inspiration – Conal Cullen drilling to the net after yet more excellent passing.

With less than two minutes remaining, Shillelagh went for broke, sending everybody forward. Ballyconnell forward, Faye McGrath, wisely stayed near her scoring zone and when a Shillelagh attack broke down a long ball forward made it 3 v 1. Emily McCarthy sensibly took her point, her third of the day, to give us a four-point lead with time just up. A short time later, the final whistle sounded, meaning we were South Wicklow 5th/6th Class Cumann na mBunscol Champions for 2020! All the hard training in the cold January and February weather had well and truly paid off!

Ballyconnell NS vs Scoil Mhuire na nÁird: Aaron Doyle, Anna McNally, Evan Fitzachary, Cormac Murphy, Emily McCarthy (0-3), Darragh Cullen, Fiach Byrne (1-0), Abi Hutton (0-1), Conal Cullen (2-0). Ionadaithe: Phoenix Mullins, Sarah Kane, Niall Delaney, Faye McGrath, Jean Mernagh, Seán Nolan

    Na Captaein!