Moate CS triumph in thriller to retain Leinster crown
LGFA: Lidl Leinster PPS Senior ‘A’ final
Moate Community School 6-10 Loreto St Michael's, Navan 4-12
Moate Community School were crowned Leinster champions after a thrilling Senior 'A' ladies football final against Loreto, Navan in Kinnegad yesterday (Wednesday).
No less than ten goals were scored and Moate CS had to endure a tense period of added time before Shannon Mulvihill's third goal eventually sealed victory.
Moate CS won the last Leinster title played at this grade and subsequently qualified for the 2020 All-Ireland final, but it was never played due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Moate girls looked in a great position when leading 4-8 to 1-8 shortly before half-time on a bright but breezy day in Kinnegad. Anna Sheerin of Cill Óige finished a rebound to the net for the game's first goal, with Áine Gaynor, Shannon Mulvihill and Ava Cornally (penalty) also finding the net for Moate CS in the first half.
But the impressive Orlaith Mallon - who finished with a tally of 3-4 - gave Loreto a boost with her second goal just before half-time. That left the score 4-8 to 2-8 at the interval and the Navan girls would have the advantage of the stiff breeze in the second period.
The Meath side scored three points on the trot in the early stages of the second half, while Moate missed some good chances in the third quarter. At the second water break, MCS led 4-9 to 2-11.
Loreto suffered a blow when one of their key players, Ciara Smyth, received a yellow card and was therefore sin-binned for ten minutes.
But with goals from Mallon and Lisa O'Neill turning the game on its head, Loreto looked set for victory as they led 4-12 to 4-10 with about five minutes of normal time remaining.
The Moate girls didn't panic, however. Following good work from Hazel Kelly and Saoirse McGuinness, Mulvihill held her nerve to steer the ball home from close range.
Loreto applied plenty of pressure as they desperately sought an equalising point which would have forced extra-time. Fittingly, however, Mulvihill had the last word, firing to the net in the 67th minute after a patient move involving a number of players including Caulry duo Megan Clinton and Gaynor.
Afterwards, Moate CS captain Áine Gaynor accepted the trophy from Leinster LGFA chairperson and Moate native Trina Murray, with Garrycastle's Shannon Mulvihill presented with the player of the match award.
While Mulvihill's scoring ability proved invaluable, there were plenty of superb displays on the Moate CS side. Hannah Doolan (St Manchan's) consistently excelled at wing-back; Joyce Conway (St Joseph's) and Chloe Moran (Moate) also impressed in defence; Gaynor showed leadership and scoring ability from midfield; while Ava Cornally (Clara) and Saoirse McGuinness (St Manchan's) were full of running throughout.
Footnote
Neither team used the number 23 jersey on the day in tribute to the late Ashling Murphy, the hugely popular young teacher, musician and camogie player who was killed last week near Tullamore. A minute's silence was also observed before the throw-in.
SCORERS - Moate CS: S. Mulvihill 3-5 (0-4f); Á. Gaynor 1-4 (0-2f); A. Sheerin and A. Cornally (pen) 1-0 each; K. Whyte 0-1. Loreto, Navan: O. Mallon 3-4 (0-2f); L. O'Neill 1-5 (0-4f); A. O'Dowd 0-2; S.J. Lyons 0-1.
Moate Community School: Emma Quigley; Joyce Conway, Amy Murphy, Cliona McCormack; Hannah Doolan, Chloe Moran, Holly Keenan; Áine Gaynor (captain), Anna Sheerin; Saoirse McGuinness, Megan Clinton, Hazel Kelly; Ava Cornally, Shannon Mulvihill, Kate Whyte. Sub used: Claire O'Donohoe for Keenan (inj., 58 mins). Rest of panel: Aine Maxwell, Ella Grennan, Claire Conlon, Laura Conlon, Eliza Jane Sheerin, Aoife Collins, Caoimhe Cassidy, Niamh Kearney, Rebecca Finlay, Kaytlin Flynn, Emma Murray, Cara Greville, Kasia Wozniak, Eva Donlon. Management team: Fidelma Quinn, Niall Daly, Michelle Doyle, Patrice Smyth.
Loreto St Michael's, Navan: Ciara Blake; Megan Coyne, Aoibhín McKenny, Julieanne Murtagh; Caragh Conway, Megan Clarke, Lucy Reynolds; Amy O'Dowd, Zoe Kirwan; Tara Traynor, Orlaith Mallon, Ciara Smyth; Lilly Dwyer, Lisa O'Neill, Sarah Jane Lyons. Subs used: Lauren Woods for Lyons (41 mins); Ava Sheeran for Kirwan (51); Rebecca Reilly for Conway (64); Niamh McGuinness for O'Neill (66).
Referee: Ciaran Groome (Offaly).