Late goals ensure Ballycomoyle girls of fine victory

Ballycomoyle 4-3, St Mary's Rochfortbridge 2-3

Multyfarnham was the venue, where on Sunday afternoon December 17, 2023, Ballycomoyle secured the 2023 Westmeath LGFA Division 2 minor championship title, with crucial second half scores, overcame the very worthy and competitive challenge of St Mary's, Rochfortbridge.

Ballycomoyle, having won the 2021 Westmeath LGFA Division 4 Championship ship, with a number of those players involved in this Division 2 final, were not overawed by the importance of this occasion. Having led by a margin of five points midway through the first half of this Division 2 final, Ballycomoyle fell into arrears early in the second half of match action. Ballycomoyle, having drawn back to parity by the midway point of the second half, went on to score two unanswered closing quarter goals, emerging winners by a margin of six points. Thereafter, amidst scenes of great celebrations, Ballycomoyle LGFC joint team captains, Sophia MacLochlain and Alva McCabe, were presented with the Westmeath LGFA Division 2 Minor Championship Cup by Geraldine Giles, the chairperson of the Westmeath LGFA board.

MATCH ACTION

Ballycomoyle had a clear edge in general play in the opening quarter of play, and led the saints on a 1-2 to 0-0 scoreline at the midway point of the first half. With 18 minutes of play elapsed, St Mary's Rochfortbridge put together a super attacking move, which ended with a well taken goal. Six minutes later, Ballycomoyle were awarded a penalty kick, and resulted in the scoring of a second Ballycomoyle goal. St Mary's Rochfortbridge finished the first half in a sparkling manner, scoring in rapid succession, a point, a goal, and then a point, in that order. The trams retired at half-time on level terms: Ballycomoyle 2-2, St Mary's Rochfortbridge 2-2.

The rain that fell at half-time, failed to dampen the enthusiasm of both teams to win this fixture, St Mary's Rochfortbridge opening second half match scoring with a point, taking the match leas for the first time in this Division 2 final. In a third quarter, in which scores were not easy to obtain, Ballycomoyle pointed to level matters prior to the commencement of the closing quarter of play.

Just two scores were recorded in the closing quarter of play, a brace of Ballycomoyle goals which ensured victory for the North Westmeath Blues.

BALLYCOMOYLE - Sara Holland, Hannah Boyle, Alva McCabe, Doireann Manley, Rebecca Ward, Reanna Kennedy, Ellie Fitzsimons, Sophia MacLochlain, Caoimhe McCormack, Caoimhe Ginnell, Orlaith Dolan, Lauren Kavanagh, Chloe Wong, Emma Gilchrist, Eleanor O'Neill. Subs used: Orlaith Winters, Chloe Mulcahy.

REFEREE - Enda Kenny (Ballinagore).