Judge in race to be fit for Ballyboden clash
by a superb point from Sarah McArdle off her left foot reduced the deficit to just two points in the 55th minute to setup a tense finish.
But again it was Flood who settled any nerves with another brilliant score to ensure Pat’s would make amends for losing at the same stage against Mattock Rangers in Clan Na Na Gael Park in the 2018 final.
One of the stars of the day and the Pats season overall, Anna Whyte, was naturally thrilled with the victory and felt that overall the Lordship girls deserved to come out on top.
‘We are delighted to come out on top in the end. It was a great game to play in and very close throughout, so that makes it all the more exciting.
‘I think when Aine was sent off everyone felt it was a bit harsh so there was a sense that we had to step up as a team. It was brilliant the way everyone responded to the setback and I don’t think we ever felt that they game was beyond us even when Roche got the goal,’ added the centre half back.
‘It was unbelievable that as a team we didn’t panic or get frustrated as we just kept playing our football. Aisling and Deirbhile O’Doherty won some brilliant ball and Kate was unbelievable in front of goal. When Kate is in that mood there is no stopping her and that really lifted the whole team.
‘It was a very tough game but there is no doubt that we deserved the victory because we didn’t give in when things were going against us. I think each player gave everything on the day and some of our support play brilliant, so we are thrilled to win.
‘It is hard to describe the feeling but we are beyond delighted to complete the double. It is a great reward for all the work we put in over the year and is definitely a season we will never forget,’ added Anna who paid tribute to the efforts of John Rice, Karen Fealy, Christopher Mackin and Kevin McKeown for the effort they put in all season.
‘Winning the championship was our main aim but going up to Division 1 is a real bonus as playing in Division 1 next year will stand to us and help us improve as a team’, added Anna.
ST. PATRICK’S: Shannagh Toner McCaughley; Melissa O’Hanlon, Naoimh Butterly, Ellen Barry; Denise Finnegan, Anna Whyte, Deirbhile O’Doherty; Aine Breen, Kate Cumiskey; Jacqui McArdle, Kate Flood (0-11), Aisling O’Doherty (0-1); Mary Loughran, Katie Conlon, Meg Woods (0-5). Sub: Nicola Connor for Conlon.
ROCHE EMMETS: Claire McCann; Katie Halligan, Arlene Marmion, Lauren Meehan; Caoimhe Treanor, Niamh Callan, Anna Murphy; Aoife Halligan, Louise Byrne (0-2); Aisling Begley (0-1), Tracey Rogers, Sarah McArdle (1-2); Jenni McCourt (0-3), Seona Halligan (0-3), Caoimhe Maxwell. Sub: Claire McDonald for Maxwell. ‘LAST year’s showing in Leinster was absolutely atrocious against Éire Óg.’
Colm Judge bristles when talking about the Newtown Blues’ recent Leinster club runs - or lack of, rather. Having been so dominant in their own county and failing to make an impression, it is an itch he wants his team to scratch this Sunday.
“Yes, definitely I agree with you,” Judge admits before getting back to last year again and pinpointing that perhaps the county’s poor pedigree overall in the competition is a factor in his side’s endeavour to make that next step at a higher level.
“I gauge them (Éire Óg) over the years of playing county football and they were a fair team. I know they took a bit of a hiding against Mullinalaghta. I could not get over that, because they were a fair team.
‘We didn’t play well. Maybe we didn’t play well because with Leinster football you are playing teams on a different level. Whether they are from Carlow, Wicklow, the difference in these counties, they have tradition in the Leinster competition, whereas the Louth clubs do not. They never won it, whereas Éire Óg won numerous Leinsters in the 90s, Rathnew won Leinsters. Louth don’t have that.
‘Collon got the final and maybe the Blues and Cooley in the 70s, but there has never been a winner.’
Judge, who injured himself in the final three weeks ago, is in a race against time to be fit, but focusing his attentions on getting back out on the field, rather than his opponents, might be a blessing.
Certainly he’s aware of the massive challenge Ballyboden bring.
‘‘We are playing the Dublin champions. It’s going to be a massive task, but I’m only looking to get this shoulder right,” Judge quipped.