Kilmurray goal ends brave resistance of 'Castle girls

St Loman's, Mullingar 3-12, Garrycastle 3-6

Considering the pedigree and talent in their ranks, St Loman's, Mullingar went into this Westmeath LGFA U-16 Division 1 final against Garrycastle as overwhelming favourites.

After all, two St Loman's U-16 players started their recent senior championship final victory over Milltown. St Loman's justified the mantle of favourtism with a six-point victory, but Garrycastle deserve plaudits for making this a genuine and enjoyable contest in Shandonagh last Sunday.

St Loman's threatened to win at a canter in the early stages, forging into a 2-4 to 0-0 lead inside the opening 14 minutes. Remarkably, however, Garrycastle drew level at 2-4 apiece early in the second half, before the Mullingar outfit regained control by hitting five points on the spin.

Ultimately, the supremely talented Katie Kilmurray sealed victory with a 51st-minute goal, which put Loman's into a 3-9 to 2-5 lead and there was no way back from there for Garrycastle.

On a dry but slightly chilly day in Shandonagh, two points from midfielder Shannon Breslin (who played in the recent senior final) and one each from Katie and Evie Kilmurray put Loman's four up inside eight minutes.

With midfielder Amelie Henson to the fore, Garrycastle had some promising attacks early on but scores proved elusive. The Mullingar side's passing was crisper and more accurate and they struck for their first goal in the 11th minute, Evie Kilmurray firing home with aplomb after Katie was involved in the build-up.

On 14 minutes, Katie Kilmurray sent a left-foot shot towards the posts and though she was possibly aiming for a point, the ball ended up in the Garrycastle net.

With Henson's ball carrying ability punching holes in the Loman's defence, Ellianna McManus sent over Garrycastle's first point. Boosted by getting off the mark, Garrycastle built on this foundation with a terrific point by Jane Byrne.

In the 19th minute, Henson executed a great block and then managed to squeeze her way past a number of Loman's defenders, before hitting a low shot to the net.

Garrycastle were now applying plenty of pressure on Asha McCormack's kickouts and points from Henson and Aislinn Kelly (a free) followed by the 22nd minute.

In the 27th minute, the Garrycastle net had an amazing escape. After Breslin's initial effort hit the butt of the upright, her follow up effort was blocked and scrambled off the line by a combination of goalkeeper Ellen Parker and her defensive colleagues. At half-time, St Loman's led 2-4 to 1-4.

Within two minutes of the resumption, Garrycastle were level. Erin McHugh - whose ability to take on defenders was a joy to watch - weaved her way through a few tackles before driving the ball to the net.

However, St Loman's had the capacity to answer the questions now being posed by Garrycastle. Unsurprisingly, Katie Kilmurray was a central figure in their impressive response, scoring three points (one free) as part of a necklace of five, the others coming from Maddie Mulderry and Eleanor Corcoran.

During this St Loman's purple patch, Garrycastle were indebted to good work from custodian Parker and defender Orla Turner, both of whom excelled throughout. Parker denied Evie Kilmurray a possible goal after good work from lively substitute Lucy Kilmurray. At the other end while, a fine pass inside by Garrycastle centre-back Libby McHugh created an opening but the blues' defence cleared the danger.

Now trailing by 2-9 to 2-4, Garrycastle replied with a pointed free Aislinn Kelly (47th minute), but the score that effectively secured victory soon arrived. Katie Kilmurray guided the ball away from an opponent and headed goalwards, before firing to the roof of the net for a splendid goal.

Two fine points from the influential Breslin, adding to an earlier one from Evie Kilmurray, left Loman's leading 3-12 to 2-6 with time running out. In stoppage time, Garrycastle forced a penalty when Erin McHugh was fouled and the same player grabbed a consolation goal from the spot.

Moments later, it looked like the game would end with a penalty at the other end with Evie Kilmurray initially adjudged to have been fouled. However, following consultation between referee Jim Rock (who had a solid game) and an umpire, the decision was reversed and this appeared correct as the original award seemed harsh. There was also a very late yellow card to Breslin, but it mattered little at that stage.

Afterwards, St Loman's captain Katie Kilmurray was presented with the silverware by Westmeath LGFA treasurer Angela Moran as the Mullingar club celebrated a fourth U-16 title in a row.

Player of the match: Katie Kilmurray (St Loman's). Having scored 0-5 in the recent senior county final, Kilmurray contributed a total of 2-4 on this occasion. A player with the ability to shine for her club and county for many years to come.

Talking point: St Loman's have been the dominant force at underage level in recent years, but with only three of Garrycastle's starting team overage for this grade next year, the green and red outfit are likely to be strong contenders in 2025.

Scorers - St Loman's: K Kilmurray 2-4 (0-1f); E Kilmurray 1-2; S Breslin 0-4; M Mulderry and E Corcoran 0-1 each. Garrycastle: E McHugh 2-0 (1-0pen); A Henson 1-1; A Kelly 0-3 (3f); E McManus and J Byrne 0-1 each.

St Loman's, Mullingar: Asha McCormack; Kaila Scally, Eimear Doonan, Ava Cummins; Chloe Cahill, Katie McDonnell; Norah Garry; Shannon Breslin, Grainne Cleary; Kate McDonnell, Katie Kilmurray, Eleanor Corcoran; Maddie Mulderry, Evie Kilmurray, Ruby Higgins. Subs used: Lucy Kilmurray for Higgins (h-t); Megan Charles for Kate McDonnell (48 mins); Lana McDermott for L Kilmurray (61).

Garrycastle: Ellen Parker; Amy Carter, Cadhla Kelly, Orla Turner; Rebecca Sleator, Libby McHugh, Jola Kearney; Aislinn Kelly, Amelie Henson; Eve Murphy, Jane Byrne, Olivia Collins; Ella Sweeney, Erin McHugh, Ellianna McManus. Subs used: Róisín Ní Chluaid for Carter (43 mins); Aoife McHugh for Sweeney (45); Sallyann Joyce and Wiktoria Wziatek for Murphy and Byrne (53); Hannah Ganly and Hannah Murray for Kearney and McManus (59); Sarah Condon for Collins (62).

Referee: Jim Rock (Coralstown/Kinnegad).