Scaraglen NS just about see off Glenbeigh in a classic contest
Scoil Náisiúnta Scairteach a Ghlinne 4-11
Scoil Náisiúnta Gleann Beithe 4-8
THIS simply was an outstanding final with excellent movement from both sides some brilliantly worked scores and top class individual performances from both sides.
Both teams enjoyed periods of dominance when the pendulum appeared to swing in their favour and then with a scoring spree from the other side the outcome changing. An absorbing battle with the result on the balance right up to the final attack when a goal bound equalising shot from Glenbeigh was somehow saved on the line by tenacious Scart defenders.
Glenbeigh started the brightly winning the lion’s share of possession around the middle through Seodhla O Donovan and Lea Morris. However, the failed to make this count where it mattered most on the score board as they seemed to over elaborate in attack and were closed down by outstanding defenders Máire Collins and Orliath Buckley and they trailed 1-4 to 2-3 ten minutes in.
Muireann Rahilly slotted all of the Scartaglen scores in this opening period when she was simply unmarkable. Winning possession in the half forward line she burst through defender after defender to register the all important scores.
Lea Morris notched 1-2 for Glenbeigh and Emily O’Shea and the impressive Seodhla O’Donovan landed a point each as referee Aoife Behan stopped proceedings for a badly needed water break.
Mollie Mahony extended the Scartaglin lead with a fine effort from play. Glenbeigh rallied again with Seodhla O’Donovan supplying Lea Morris with a perfect pass Lea burst through for the equalising goal but her goal bound effort skimmed the cross bar to leave two points between the sides at the break 2-4 to 1-5.
Muireann Walsh, Tara Keirn and Jessica Riordan started the second half in impressive form for Scartaglen and Scartaglen led 4-7 to 2-6 ten minutes in. Muireann Walsh who has been selected for the Primary Game sent over their first point while Croke Park bound Muireann Rahilly landed a further 2-2.
Glenbeigh’s Primary Game star Seodhla supplied the telling passes for top forward Lea Morris to notch a further 1-1 to keep Glenbeigh in touch. Two goals from corner forward Emily O Sullivan and a point from Lea Morris in response to points from Scartaglen’s Maggie Riordan and Tara Kerin left just two between the sides with five minutes to play.
Muireann Walsh and Muireann Rahilly extended the Scartaglen lead to four as the final whistle beckoned but these Glenbeigh girls in search of their second title in-a-row fought back and a Lea Morris effort narrowed the gap to three.
Glenbeigh won possession from the ensuing kick out and went in search of the equalising goal. They worked the ball forward to Seodhla O Donovan now operating at full forward but her bullet like effort was somehow saved on the line and Scartaglin added the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol 4/5 Teacher title to the Mini Sevens title won in April.
SCARTAGLEN NS: Charlie O’Keeffe, Ciara Casey, Máire Collins, Orlaith Buckley, Muireann Walsh, Tara Kerin, Muireann Rahilly, Jessica Riordan, Mikaela Buckley, Katie Kerins, Mollie Mahony, Shauna McCarthy,Maggie Riordan
GLENBEIGH NS: Mary Kate Smith, Grainne Sweeney, Kacey O’Connor, Orlaith Burke,Lea Morris, Seodhla O’Donovan, Emily O’Sullivan, Kayla Sheahan, Naoise Burke, Eadaoin O’Sullivan, Meabh Scannell, Leona O’SullivaN, Emily O’Shea, Chloe O’Shea, Aoibhinn O’Donovan,Clodagh Sheahan