St Joseph's claim Connacht LGFA Senior B title after power packed finish

A stupendous goal scoring burst that saw them land three goals in a five minute spell and four in total in the closing stages saw St Joseph’s snatch the Connacht LGFA Senior B Championship title away from Drumcliffe Rosses Point on Saturday in the wonderful surrounds of St Croan’s GAA in Roscommon.

Trailing by five points with 51 minutes on the clock and Sligo’s Drumcliffe Rosses Point seemingly headed for what would have been a deserved if hard earned victory, St Joseph’s displayed all of their never say die spirit, Deirdre Moran starting off the avalanche of late goals that swept the Aughavas and Carrigallen combination to a wonderful Connacht title.

After a few controversial defeats in Connacht Intermediate deciders in the past, this was a rare case of delayed justice for St Joseph’s as they struck three further times thanks to super-sub Kate Gormley, twice from the penalty spot, as they turned what looked like a heartbreaking victory into a wonderful victory for the Leitrim team.

Unfortunate to come up against might that is Glencar Manorhamilton in Leitrim over the past seven campaigns, St Joseph’s got deserved reward for their years of sustained excellence in the county as they left Drumcliffe Rosses Point shattered at the final whistle, the Sligo side unable to hold out against the unsatiable hunger of the Leitrim team.

Maybe Connacht titles are like buses – just a week after St Brigid’s claimed the Connacht Junior crown in Swinford against Sligo opposition, St Joseph’s repeated the feat to again emphasise the strength of the Ladies game in the county and no more than St Brigid’s, this victory was built on resilience and spirit as St Joseph’s simply refused to buckle.

Player of Match Deirdre Moran was a rock for St Joseph’s in the middle of the park, driving her team forward and holding them together under pressure but it was a huge team effort with Eadaoin Casey, Vanessa Gallogly, Eabha McCartin, the Heslin sisters, Aoife McKiernan, Rachel McIntyre and subs Kate Gormley, Jessie McManus and Doireann McCartin making immense contributions to the victory.

No more than St Brigid’s, St Joseph’s did it the hard way, beating a highly rated Galway opposition in the semi-final before getting the better of the Sligo team in the final and, as a way to end a year that ended in frustration in Leitrim at the hands of Glencar Manorhamilton, there can be few better ways for St Joseph’s! It completes a rare year in Connacht for Leitrim teams with the county intermediate title joined by the Senior B & Junior crowns!

Michelle Heslin had the first shot for St Joseph’s, a wide, but it was Drumcliffe Rosses Point who had the first score, Sinead Regan’s strong run and pass setting up Katie McDonagh for a point after three minutes after a long period of possession play. However, St Joseph’s responded quickly with Aine & Michelle Heslin combining to set up Bronagh O’Rourke for a nicely taken point from the corner, Rachel McIntyre edging the Leitrim side in front two minutes later after good work from Aine Heslin and Aoife McKiernan.

But an impressive Drumcliffe were soon level, Rianne Smith converting a seventh minute free and then landing another after a clear three-up breech from St Joseph’s. Drumcliffe keeper Grainne O’Hara made a good catch from a Michelle Heslin shot on 14 minutes before a foul on Regan allowed Smith tap over a third free. Katie McDonagh did very well to keep a ball in play on the sideline, although disputed by a St Joseph’s defender who stopped chasing as the Sligo player charged in to take her score on 17 minutes.

Deirdre Moran left a shot short while Sarah Greene in the Joseph’s goal was quick off her line to get to a dangerous ball ahead of McDonagh. Bronagh O’Rourke left a free short before the full-forward pressured the Drumcliffe keeper, conceding a free out, after a long range ball was spilled. Rachel McIntyre shot wide but a good pass from Aine Heslin found Aoife McKiernan for an excellent point on 26 minutes and from that kickout, St Joseph’s charged in with Michelle Heslin firing over to cut the gap back to a point.

St Joseph’s had a lucky escape when Drumcliffe had the ball in the net after a great run from Sinead Regan, Kate Smith fisting home but the goal was ruled out for a square ball, Drumcliffe not getting the benefit of at least two advantages called by the referee as the half ended 0-5 to 0-4 in favour of Drumcliffe Rosses Point.

St Joseph’s introduced Kate Gormley at halftime and in an opening marred by injury stoppages including one that saw Grainne O’Malley leave the action, Doireann McCartin coming on, the Leitrim side had wides from Michelle Heslin (2) and Carmel McGovern. Jessie McManus replaced Aine Heslin but a good run from Sinead Regan saw Katie McDonagh fire over for Drumcliffe on 41 minutes. Deirdre Moran shot wide for Joseph’s with Maeve Casserly pointing a free after advantage was being played.

Kate Gormley got her first score after a good St Joseph’s move, Rachel McIntyre providing the final pass but Drumcliffe looked to be stating their claim for victory when they put together a great move, Kate Smith’s shot blocked pretty clear by a boot before Katie McGuire was challenged and grounded as she went after the rebound.

Having indicated a free for the Sligo team, referee Natalie Flanagan consulted her umpires before awarding a penalty, albeit nobody was sure if it was for a footblock or the tackle on McGuire who picked herself up off the ground to slot the ball calmly into the bottom right hand corner and a five point clear.

Drumcliffe were buzzing and could have stretched their lead but Sinead Regan crucially saw her shot blocked, St Joseph’s breaking only for O’Hara to field a Gormley shot. The Sligo side were comfortable but the game changed with just over eight minutes of normal time remaining as subs McManus and Gormley combined before releasing Deirdre Moran who brilliantly side-stepped a defender to slam the ball to the net.

With two points between the teams, the next score was crucial and it was a big one, Kate Gormley ramming the ball to the net after a run, with more than a hint of a few extra steps, and suddenly, Joseph’s had gone from five points down to a point up in the space of two minutes. A minute later, the lead was four points when Carmel McGovern and Gormley combined to release Michelle Heslin who was clearly pulled back before her shot was blocked. Referee Flanagan correctly awarded the spot kick and Gormley made no mistake whatsoever and now the Leitrim side had clear daylight.

A spooked Drumcliffe, who had dominated most of the match, suddenly couldn’t get going as a completely re-energised St Joseph’s took flight, Kate Gormley tapping over a free before Katie McDonagh got the Sligo team’s last score of the game after 62 minutes.

There was one final act of drama when St Joseph’s broke again, Kate Gormley picking herself up to point after a heavy challenge from Drumcliffe’s Jayne McCormack. However, referee Flanagan disregarded the point and instead awarded a second penalty, Gormley converting after the keeper got a hand to the ball, the ball hitting the post before crossing the line to spark wild St Joseph’s celebrations.

​ST JOSEPH’S

Scorers: Kate Gormley 3-2, 2 pens; Deirdre Moran 1-0; Rachel McIntyre, Aoife McKiernan, Michelle Heslin & Bronagh O’Rourke 0-1 each

Team: Sarah Greene, Caoimhe Casey, Vanessa Gallogly, Shannen O’Rourke, Lorraine Moran, Eadaoin Casey, Grainne O’Malley, Eabha McCartin, Deirdre Moran, Rachel McIntyre, Aine Heslin, Aoife McKiernan, Carmel McGovern, Bronagh O’Rourke, Michelle Heslin. Subs: Kate Gormley for O’Rourke (HT); Doireann McCartin for O’Malley (35); Jessie McManus for A Heslin (37); Ciara Harrington for McKiernan (53)

DRUMCLIFFE ROSSES POINT

Scorers: Katie McDonagh 0-4; Rianne Smith 0-3, 3f; Katie McGuire 1-0, pen; Maeve Casserly 0-1, f

Team: Grainne O’Hara, Lisa Morrow, Aimee Oates, Jayne McCormack, Isabella Henry, Michelle McNamara, Keela Scanlon, Sinead Regan, Jasmine Dunleavy, Caoimhe O’Connor, Rianne Smith, Maeve Casserly, Katie McGuire, Kate Smith, Katie McDonagh. Subs: Meddhbh Fitzpatrick for Scanlon (HT); Ruth Flanagan & Anja Kolodzief for Morrow & Connor (59)

Referee: Natalie Flanagan (Roscommon)