Peters shines as St Finian’s storm clear to win inaugural U14 schools county title

St Finian's College 1-14, St Joseph's 1-8

Glorious summer sunshine and temperatures of 20 degrees greeted the teams at TEG Cusack Park on Friday for the inaugural Westmeath ladies U14 post primary schools football final. After a dominant second half display, St Finian’s College, Mullingar created their own piece of history by claiming the first ever title at this grade.

On what was a wonderful occasion, it was St Joseph’s who took the lead after two minutes courtesy of a Katie Burke point. Aoibhinn Gaughan earned a free that she sent short as the Mullingar side tried to respond.

There was drama after six minutes when Amelie Kelly was denied a goal when her shot hit the crossbar seconds before Molly Ryan’s follow-up effort was saved by Jessie Chen.

Amy Beggan equalised for St Finian’s after 11 minutes when she soloed forward and shot over, but immediately at the other end, Lila Dalton pointed for St Joseph’s.

A foul on Eibhlin Casey led to a scoreable free for Amy Beggan and she duly obliged as St Finian’s got on level terms in the 15th minute. In the balmy conditions, water breaks were sensibly used and it was level at the first of these, but when the action resumed Muireann Lawlor set up Katie Burke for the lead point. St Finian’s responded when Amy Beggan notched a tidy minor on 22 minutes.

The Mullingar side were starting to take a grip and midfielder Erin Peters cut through for a quality point, executed in decisive fashion. Alesha Kennedy’s shot was saved by Eve Kelly as St Finian’s were denied a goal after 26 minutes.

Kate Kavanagh appeared to be making a break after Ellen Carey’s purposeful run, but St Joseph’s lost possession at the telling moment. Amelie Kelly tried to cut through after taking a pass from Kate Kavanagh, but the St Finian’s defence held firm. However, in added time a point by midfielder Muireann Lawlor left the sides all square again.

At half-time it was 0-4 apiece but the Mullingar ladies took a decisive grip on the this final when play resumed, scoring an unanswered 1-4. Points from Ruby Higgins and Amy Beggan were followed by a Higgins goal from close-range after her initial effort was saved by the opposing goalie. In the 40th minute Ruby Higgins was again on hand to notch a point when Amy Beggan, Eibhlin Casey and Erin Peters carved an opening.

Erin Peters’ pace was proving a real plus for St Finian’s and she soloed through to score, giving them a seven-point lead, 1-8 to 0-4. On 42 minutes Amelie Kelly’s terrific run through the centre led to her finding the net as St Joseph’s responded to that early St Finian’s barrage. But at the water break, it was St Finian’s who still held a commanding lead (1-9 to 1-4) following Bella Maguire’s 46th minute point.

While Kate Kavanagh pointed for a spirited St Joseph’s side, Aoibhinn Gaughan replied for St Finian’s and Eleanor Corcoran added their 11th point of the day. The Rochfortbridge side continued to display their gritty side and Kate Kavanagh’s point kept them motoring. They soon cut the deficit further when Kate Kavanagh was on target again with four minutes remaining.

Hui Fen Bartley’s score eased any concerns St Finian’s may have had when she pointed in the 59th minute and Eleanor Corcoran’s speculative high ball led to a foul on Amy Beggan, resulting in a penalty for the Mullingar side. Alesha Kennedy calmly chipped over a point from the spot kick and in added time, Bella Maguire completed St Finian’s fine tally.

Five minutes into injury-time, Muireann Lawlor cut in to score St Joseph’s eighth point of this final, but it offered only consolation. The final whistle sounded moments later and St Finian’s were champions.

Afterwards, Paula Finnan secretary of Westmeath LGFA, presented the cup to Sarah Davitt, captain of St Finian’s College.

Scorers – St Finian’s College: R Higgins 1-2, A Beggan 0-4 (1f), B Maguire and E Peters 0-2 each, E Corcoran, H F Bartley, A Gaughan and A Kennedy (pen) 0-1 each. St Joseph’s: A Kelly 1-0, K Kavanagh 0-3, K Burke and M Lawlor 0-2 each, L Dalton 0-1.

St Finian’s College: Jessie Chen; Anna Reilly, Sarah Davitt, Shona Gilsenan; Bella Maguire, Áine Brennan, Rachel Walsh; Eleanor Corcoran, Erin Peters; Alesha Kennedy, Amy Beggan, Eibhlin Casey; Hui Fen Bartley, Aoibhinn Gaughan, Ruby Higgins. Panel: Nicole Quinn, Róisín Clarke, Saibh Kiernan, Amy Devaney, Aideen Kavanagh, Holly May Gaughan, Tara Lynch, Isabelle Maher, Rachel Harte, Maria Keating, Heather O’Connor, Martha Eivers, Lana McDermott.

St Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge: Eve Kelly; Aoife Longe, Sophie Farrell, Leila Trigo-Lyster; Jane Carey, Saoirse Connaughton, Amy Kerr; Emma Finnean, Muireann Lawlor; Kate Kavanagh, Amelie Kelly, Katie Burke; Nicole O’Callaghan, Molly Ryan, Lila Dalten. Subs used: Rachel Wheeler, Ellen Carey. Panel: Kate Thornton Sleator, Lily Tyrrell, Aoife Murray, Aisling Taylor, Jessica Johnston, Nora Bray, Nicole Smith, Abi Healy, Taylor Enwright, Emma Fitzpatrick, Lillian Atayese, Elizabeth Isinkaye, Hannah Nolan.

Ref: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).