Baile Uí Chonailll 2-5 Gráinseach 3-4

 

Ballyconnell NS suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the Cumann na mBunscol Final on Tuesday night last in Netwatch Centre of Excellence, Fenagh. After a very exciting encounter in which the lead changed hands multiple times, it was Grange NS who did just enough to win their first ever Roinn 2A crown, denying brave Ballyconnell’s bid for 4-in-a-row with a goal in the last minute.

 

After losing the group stage game when the two sides met on a wet September afternoon, Grange started the game in determined fashion and had 1-1 on the board inside five minutes. It appeared Ballyconnell were in trouble. However, in a similar manner to last year’s final, when they went 5 points down to Tinryland, the Ballyconnell girls refused to panic.

 

Millie O’Neill opened Ballyconnell’s account with a nice point from the left-hand side, Isabella Holligan having created the space for her to shoot with her clever movement. Ella O’Neill then coolly slotted over a free after Mollie Bolger was fouled. 0-2 to 1-1. At this stage, the Ballyconnell defence was really getting on top with Meadhbh Ward and Saoirse Cahill outstanding.

 

Then came the score of the match, maybe the best score of all the finals being played in Netwatch on the night. Mollie Bolger, Allie Lacey, Millie O’Neill, Ella O’Neill and Creah Doyle were all involved in a brilliant passing move close to the Grange goal. The girls showed great composure to keep recycling the ball by handpassing it over and back before Doyle found the space to hit over a brilliant point. It was a point Meath Ladies at their best would have been proud of!

 

A few moments later, Ella O’Neill tried her luck from distance. Her shot was spilled by the Grange goalkeeper and Millie of the O’Neills bravely slid in to strike the ball to the Grange net. Pandemonium among the sizeable Ballyconnell support! This gave Ballyconnell the lead for the first time – 1-3 to 1-2.

 

Grange responded quickly with a free but then Ella O’Neill, having the game of her life, split the Grange defence with a fantastic pass to Allie Lacey. Allie, obviously fully recovered from her hand injury, caught the ball magnificently and hit it straight over the bar to give Ballyconnell the lead at the break – 1-4 to 1-3.

 

Coaches Jack Bowes and Ms Dolan offered their words of wisdom at half-time and they clearly worked as the girls had the dream start to the second half. Ella once again proved too good for the Grange defence as the ran through and smashed home the dearg agus dubh’s second goal of the game. She quickly followed this up with a point from a free and suddenly, Ballyconnell were 5 points ahead!

 

Once again, the defence was impressing; Croí Deegan showing her ability to read the game by intercepting Grange passes and then passing the ball accurately out of defence; Kate Rooney not giving an inch to her talented marker.

 

Grange were a worthy opponent though and were never going to throw in the towel easily. From one attack, Leah Weekes made a fantastic save from a Grange shot before the rebound somehow trickled over the line. This made it 2-5 to 2-3. Grange then hit the next score from a free to make it a one-point-nail-biting finish.

 

Ballyconnell’s inspirational captain, Megan Mernagh, then went down with cramp in her calf. It was no wonder as she had covered every blade of grass on the Fenagh pitch. Ms Dolan showcased her physio skills to get Megan going again! Then, the ending that no one from Ballyconnell wanted. Grange worked the ball in close to goal and smashed it home to take a two-point lead with time almost up. And sure enough, Enda Hulton’s whistle sounded a few moments later. Grange were Roinn 2A Champions for the first time ever and Ballyconnell players, parents and teachers were distraught.

 

Before presenting the trophy, Cathal Cole complimented Ballyconnell on their excellent performance. These were no empty words as the girls had given a brilliant display of football on the night, one which made their parents, coaches and teachers proud. When the disappointment of the loss fades, the girls will no doubt look back on their performance with great pride too. Baile Uí Chonaill abú!!

 

Ballyconnell NS: 1. Leah Weekes, 2. Saoirse Cahill, 3. Croí-Lily Deegan, 5. Kate Rooney, 6. Meadhbh Ward, 8. Ella O’Neill (1-2), 9. Megan Mernagh (c) 10. Creah Doyle (0-1), 11. Mollie Bolger, 12. Millie O’Neill (1-1), 13. Isabella Holligan, 14. Zara Hutton, 15. Allie Lacey (0-1), 16. Ava McDermott, 17. Eva Willoughby, 18. Ella O’Connor, 19. Ellie O’Toole, 20. Emma O’Grady