The Sligo Champion

Coolera/Strandhill ladies win the Junior decider

- BY EMMA GALLAGHER

AFTER a ten year break from ladies football, Coolera/ Strandhill are the Sligo Junior champions after a competitiv­e decider with Curry in Markievicz Park on Saturday.

With vast experience in the form of Sligo ladies players Ruth Goodwin, Jacqui Mulligan and Laura-Ann Laffey in their midst, it was going to be a tough test for Curry.

This was the first of the three finals last Saturday, and to their credit, Curry put it up to their opponents in the second period.

After trailing by 1-7 to 0-1 at the break, the south Sligo side showed a great fightback and when Ailish Sweeney found the net there was only two points separating the sides with 15 minutes remaining.

It looked as though the seasiders could be ruing letting slip of their extensive lead but a Meadhbh Kenneally penalty on 49 minutes was to be the deciding factor, as Coolera/Strandhill’s advantage couldn’t be chased by a courageous Curry.

When Sweeney got her second goal on 60 minutes, it was too late as Coolera/Strandhill took the title back after a lengthy break from the competitio­n.

With five goals in total, this was a very competitiv­e affair and it was Coolera/Strandhill who were dominating the early periods.

They scored three quick points on the bounce, with Laura-Ann Laffey particular­ly influentia­l up front. Captain Ruth Goodwin was through on goal and Curry goalkeeper Aoife Duffy had to make a good save on the midfielder in the 9th minute.

Coolera/Strandhill were cruising at a five point to no score advantage and their lead was expanded on 15 minutes when Laffey found the net.

The shot was initially saved by Duffy but Laffey was there to snatch the rebound and put Coolera/Strandhill 1-5 in front.

Bernie Connolly was working hard for Curry who needed a score but it was Kenneally down the other end who saw her chance slam off the crossbar as it was all Coolera/Strandhill in the opening 20 minutes.

Connolly sent over Curry’s first score through a free on 21 minutes with Kenneally and Laffey adding two more to leave it 1-7 to 0-1 at the break.

Curry started the second half brightly, Connolly scored a fine point from play before following with a free before the lively Kelly Munnely hit the net, a well-worked goal to leave four between them on 36 minutes.

The Curry intensity was increasing, and they were right back in it when Sweeney’s shot which seemed to be sailing over, hit the back of the Coolera/ Strandhill net.

Curry were only two points behind at that stage with 15 minutes to go, the south Sligo side outscor- ing their opponents by 2-1 to one point in the third quarter. The immense captain Goodwin was involved in setting up her midfield partner Ciara Redmond to advance their lead to three points on 46 minutes before referee Gerry O’Connell signalled a penalty two minutes later after a Coolera/Strandhill player was bundled to the ground. Up stepped Kenneally who struck the back of the Curry net, giving her side a 2-9 to 2-3 lead. The full-forward followed this up a minute later with a point from play as Coolera/ Strandhill were seven in front with ten minutes to go.Cliodhna Flemming got one back for Curry before Kenneally hit another free as time was running out for another Curry comeback.

Two more points from a Kenneally free and a point from play by Attracta Halloran had Coolera/Strandhill in front by eight, and despite a late late goal from Sweeney, time was up and the trophy was heading to the seaside. COOLERA/STRANDHILL: S Lindsay, V Mulligan, L Joyce, K KErrigan, C O’Sullivan, J Mullligan, M Stenson, R Goodwin (C) (0-1), C Redmond (0-1), E Monaghan, L A Laffey (1-6, 3f), A Halloran (0-1), D Kelly, M Kenneally (1-4, pen 1f), E Callaghan. SUBS: A Doggett for Monaghan (37), G Redmond for Kelly (47), C Stenson for Redmond (58), J Halloran for Mulligan (58).

CURRY: A Duffy, M O’Donnell, A Stenson, E Glesson, S Towey, C Walsh, R Gannon, C Flemming, Aine Sweeney, Ailish Sweeney, C Howley, A Gordon, B Connolly (0-3, 2f), K Munnelly (1-0), C Cunny. SUBS: J Kennedy for Gannon (15), A Loftus for Kennedy (57), S Coleman for Towey (61).

Player of the Match: Ruth Goodwin. REFEREE: Geryy O’Connell.

INSET: Laura Ann-Laffey (right), passing possession to teammate Mary Stenson.

 ?? Pics: Carl Brennan. ?? Jubilant scenes as the Coolera/Strandhill ladies celebrate winning the Junior final against a dogged Curry side in Markievicz Park on Saturday.
Pics: Carl Brennan. Jubilant scenes as the Coolera/Strandhill ladies celebrate winning the Junior final against a dogged Curry side in Markievicz Park on Saturday.
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