HISTORIC DAY AS THE LADIES FROM LOUTH LIFT ALL-IRELAND
ELAINE ROGAN BAGS 2-2 AS ROSCOMMON ARE DOWNED IN A CROKE PARK CLASSIC October 1998
IT is a historic day for women’s football in the ‘Wee County’ when Louth win the All-Ireland Junior Championship in Croke Park.
It’s a first national title for the team and a first All-Ireland win for Louth at GAA headquarters since 1957.
The victory over Roscommon on a 4-8 to 2-9 scoreline is overshadowed by the death of Brian Reynolds, father of captain, Cathy Reynolds, who passes away at the match.
Louth field the same starting line-up which sees off Tyrone in the semi-final.
A wind-assisted Roscommon make light of their smaller stature in midfield to put the Reds under sustained pressure in the opening ten minutes to race into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead.
However, when an Elaine Rogan forty-yard free bounces into the roof of the net it settles Louth and they manage to go in trailing by just the minimum, 1-5 to 1-4.
That said, they are thankful to ‘ keeper Lynn Savage who makes three excellent saves.
Louth get off to a great start in the second half with a Nuala Murphy goal and when Róisín Hanlon follows with another three-pointer, they are in a strong position, 3-6 to 1-6.
A Regina Carley goal gives the Connacht side some hope, as it cuts the deficit to just two points, 3-7 to 2-8.
However, Louth aren’t about to be denied and Elaine Rogan finds the net again late on to seal it.
She forms an excellent midfield partnership with Orla Kirk, while in defence Lynn Savage, Fiona Sweeney, Annemarie King, Karen Conor and Edel McKeown are prominent.
Róisín Hanlon, Sharon Drumgoole, Cathy Reynolds and Nuala Murphy are the pick of the forwards.
Louth: Lynn Savage; Amanda Brennan, Fiona Sweeney, Annemarie King; Karen Connor, Edel McKeown, Jennifer Agnew; Orla Kirk (0-2), Elaine Rogan (2-2);
Róisín Hanlon (1-2), Lorraine Muckian (0-1), Sharon Drumgoole (0-1); Karen Fealy, Cathy Reynolds, Nuala Murphy (1-0).
The John Timmins Cup is presented to Cathy Reynolds by Noel Murray, president, Cumann Peile Gael na mBan.
Róisín Hanlon finishes Louth’s top scorer in the championship with 6-16, followed by Elaine Rogan, 2-17.
There is more good news for Elaine when the Cooley player is called up as a replacement All Star at midfield, a remarkable achievement considering she is operating at Junior level.
She is also named player of the match. After a banquet in the Burlington Hotel that night the team makes a triumphant return on Monday, touring Drogheda, Philipstown, Ardee, Dromiskin, Dundalk, Knockbridge, Kilkerley, Courtbane and Cooley.
During a twelve-hour victory parade the team is feted at every turn.
There is a welcome in Drogheda by mayoress, Maria O’Brien Campbell, the players are piped into Courtbane and greeted with bonfires at Gyles Quay and Whitestown Cross.
Louth will also be honoured at a challenge match between Louth and Meath in Lordship to mark the official switching on of new floodlights and an electronic scoreboard.