Pride and regret for Glencar Manorhamilton after narrow Connacht LGFA Semi-Final loss

Pride for a strong performance and regret that the performance didn’t to more were the overriding emotions for Glencar Manorhamilton after last Sunday’s AIB Connacht LGFA Senior Championship Semi-Final in Boggaun while, in the St Brigid’s camp, there was a fair bit of relief at having got across the line.

St Brigid’s hit three second half goals to prevail 3-7 to 1-12 against the Leitrim champions, Glencar Manorhamilton seeing a late effort to force extra time fall just short and captain Dearbhla Rooney described the one point loss as “disappointing. At the end of the day it was a battle and a loss.

“It was a competitive game. I am so proud of the girls and with the way they competed in the Connacht championships. We won our first game against Eoghan Rua. It was a very competitive game today. It could have gone either way - they were fast breaking. Goals win games and that's what happened today.”

The short time-frame between Manor’s two games didn’t help as Dearbhla agreed “We had a game on the Bank Holiday Monday and there were a lot of sore bodies after it. The girls did their rehab, they did their physio. It was a quick turnover. They did all they could to recover.

“We did all we could to get ready for today's game but it just wasn't our day. We have had a huge year. We have learned so much. Every year we really keep on improving. This game today was really enjoyable, it was free flowing as was the Connacht quarter-final. We have a lot to bring to the championship next year.”

The Glencar Manorhamilton team who were defeated by St Brigid's in the AIB Connacht LGFA Club SFC Semi-Final in Boggaun Picture: James Molloy

Joint manager Terry McManus was proud of the efforts of his players: “It was a tough way to finish up because we played against a really good team. We played really well. We were beaten at the end by a point. It is hard to take. We are very proud of our players and of the effort they put in. 

“We finished very strong at the end but we just couldn't get the score to bring the game to extra time, we nearly did. I would like to congratulate St. Brigid's. They are a strong outfit and they won on the day. When St. Brigid's got their three second half goals, we needed to be scoring at the other end to keep on top of them. 

“While we did score, the three Brigid's goals made it very difficult for us. In fairness to St. Brigid's you have to give them credit. They are a good side, a strong mobile side. They play good football. We stood our ground with them. We could have won it but we didn't and that's it.”

Both Dearbhla and Terry are setting their sights on next Sunday’s Division 1 League Final against St Joseph’s - “We still have the Leitrim senior league final ahead of us against St. Joseph's and we are looking forward to that,” said Dearbhla while Terry added “We always have great battles with St. Joseph's and it will be no different this year.”

For St Brigid’s, the main emotion was relief with manager Niall Mackey admitting “I am relieved more than happy. It was a cracking game of football. To be honest, we didn't know much about Glencar Manorhamilton - only that they had won six Leitrim titles in a row. That is a feat. 

“We knew we would end up against a good side and the result shows it. We just got vital scores near the end of the game. We were very happy and relieved. Our county final was over three weeks ago and we haven't had a competitive game since. No fault to the girls but maybe they were a little bit rusty - there is only so much you can do in training. It is very hard to get challenge games with county finals and provincial games.

“I was very happy with our second half performance here. The girls stood up. It was a hell of a battle and we got out the good side of it.”

Referring to the three goals St. Brigid's scored in the second half, Mackey remarked “in Ladies football, goals are everything. They are basically what wins games in the end in Ladies football. We got a few today from some of our older girls. We were happy with the goal we got.

“We were happy to get over the line and now we have a Connacht final to look forward to. It is 11 years since this club was in a Connacht final. Now we have everything to look forward to” a very happy and relieved Niall Mackey said.