Attacking power gives DRP an edge in high-scoring final
Sligo LGFA Minor ‘A’ C’ship Final
Drumcliffe-Rosses Pt Tourlestrane 6-13 4-10
A
S DUSK fell at Kent Park, it was Drumcliffe-Rosses Point who had shone brightest at Kent Park.
In the Sligo LGFA Minor Championship ‘A’ Cup decider, this grade’s showcase final, there were 33 scores, with Drumcliffe-Rosses Point’s attacking superiority evident in their nine-point defeat of Tourlestrane, 6-13 to 4-10, on Wednesday evening of last week.
Backed by an excellent and pacy midfield of Anna Currid and team captain Caoimhe Connor, DrumcliffeRosses Point had four capable and consistent scorers in attack – Rianne Smith, Katie McDonagh, Ruth Flanagan and
Katie Maguire.
Maguire, a Sligo Rovers U-19 women’s player, was the winners’ top scorer with 2-3, a tally that included a 24th minute converted penalty and she also missed from the spot after 48 minutes with an undercooked effort into the arms of a relieved Tourlestrane goalkeeper Jade Walsh. Furthermore, DrumcliffeRosses Point could call on substitute Gemma O’Callaghan to make an impact – she contributed 1-1 in the second-half, her 55th minute goal helping to put matters firmly beyond Tourlestrane’s reach.
There was a poignant subplot to the occasion that added to Tourlestrane’s desire to win. The trophy to be presented afterwards to the winning captain was the Normanly Cup, named after the late Tom Normanly, who passed in March of 2017. He worked tirelessly to promote Ladies Football in the club and mentored the current Tourlestrane Minor panel, coaching them in their early years involved in the sport.
One his four kids, Lauren, was the team’s star at the Ballydoogan venue and is emerging as a potent forward. She scored 1-9 – to finish as the game’s leading scorer – and certainly would have made her dad proud with this performance.
But Tourlestrane’s reliance on Lauren Normanly for 12 of their 14 scores tells its own story. Drumcliffe-Rosses Point, who had no such worries, given their array of scoring outlets, benefitted from a fast start – Ruth Flanagan goaled ruthlessly after 53 seconds.
Caoimhe Connor then went close to a goal with a lob attempt after she gathered an underhit kickout as the breeze-assisted Drumcliffe-Rosses Point looked to make their mark early on.
When Katie McDonagh netted in the fifth minute – after Caoimhe Connor and Rianne Smith created the opportunity – Drumcliffe-Rosses were eight points up, 2-2 to 0-0.
Tourlestrane were up and running – it appeared – when Leah Walsh found the net after 10 minutes following industry from Amy Kennedy and Ciara Brennan, who provided the assist. But this was one of just two