Summerhill girls claim Connacht schools title

AFTER falling at the final hurdle in last year's FAIS Senior Girls' Connacht Cup, St Joseph's College, Summerhill, were determined not to suffer a similar fate when they faced Sacred Heart School, Westport, in this year's provincial decider at Cushla Park, Monksland, on Monday afternoon. And thanks to goals by strike pairing Niamh O'Brien and Rebecca Naughton, they avoided another heartbreaking final defeat, eventually overcoming Westport quite comfortably. A stunning 5-0 victory over Belmullet Community School in last Tuesday week's semi-final ensured Summerhill's place in the final for a second year running, and this time Michael Gallagher's side made no mistake to seal a well-deserved Connacht title. On the day, St Joseph's were far superior than the visitors from Mayo, with star performances coming from the likes of right-winger Blaine Gately, Gillian Egan, and strikers Niamh O'Brien and Rebecca Naughton. Other major contributors to the victory included full-backs Caoimhe Dunning and Kimberley Finlass, the latter of whom played a key part in Summerhill's second goal, which effectively killed off the challenge of Westport. Summerhill got off to a flying start, taking the lead after just three minutes. The excellent Blaine Gately, who tormented Westport down their left side, sent a dangerous cross-shot into the six-yard box, and Niamh O'Brien was on hand to bundle the ball over the line after Sacred Heart goalkeeper Shelly O'Grady fumbled the ball. Only seconds earlier, Westport had threatened with the first opening of the game, but Yvonne Davitt's 20-yard shot was always going wide of Emma Freebourne's goal. A long kick-out by Freebourne soon caused havoc in a shaky Westport defence, with Niamh O'Brien eventually forcing the ball into the path of Blaine Gately, but her low shot was saved by O'Grady. Westport almost drew level on 20 minutes thanks to a well-worked corner kick. Maria Harrington pulled a clever corner into the path of Leona Ryder at the edge of the Summerhill penalty area, but Ryder's dipping shot went narrowly over Freebourne's crossbar. In general, though, Summerhill were carrying a far greater attacking threat than their opponents and Niamh O'Brien was unlucky to see her 27th minute shot crash into the side netting. Rosa Shine then went mightily close to stretching Summerhill's advantage, but her 25-yard drive flew marginally wide of O'Grady's left-hand post. Summerhill also thought they were in on goal just before half-time, with Rebecca Naughton putting intense pressure on defender Ailish Rondey, who looked set to collide with her advancing goalkeeper. However, referee Dermot Tone saw a slight push on Rondey by Naughton, and the scoreline remained 1-0 in Summerhill's favour going into the break. Just after the restart, the non-stop Blaine Gately struck a sweet volley at the Westport goal but it went fractionally over the crossbar. Gillian Egan's 30-yard free kick also carried sufficient venom, but Shelly O'Grady was well placed to hold her effort. Summerhill were enjoying a dominant period and Westport couldn't get a stranglehold on proceedings, with influential midfielder Maria Harrington clearly carrying an injury. The negative influence this had on Harrington's overall performance was very evident, as she kicked three second-half corner kicks behind for goal kicks. Blaine Gately - this reporter's outstanding player on the day - was at it again on 51 minutes, forcing O'Grady to push her well-struck effort onto the crossbar. Rebecca Naughton followed in for a rebound but fouled O'Grady in the process and a free-out was awarded. Westport almost sneaked an equaliser against the run of play, when Harrington almost forced home a threatening corner kick by Avril Kilkelly. In a crowded six-yard area, Harrington connected with a hooked shot on the turn, which eventually dropped the wrong side of the post. Summerhill quickly regained composure and were 2-0 up on 57 minutes, Rebecca Naughton earning reward for her tireless display by heading home Kimberley Finlass' brilliantly delivered left-footed corner. Westport pushed a few more bodies forward in a last-ditch attempt to rescue the tie and had a couple of half-chances through Avril Kilkelly, but St Joseph's defence and confident goalkeeper Emma Freebourne stood up tall to any attacking threat from Westport. Indeed, the Athlone side could have added more goals to their tally, but Rebecca Naughton was denied on a couple of occasions by O'Grady. St Joseph's, Summerhill: Emma Freebourne; Caoimhe Dunning, Kimberley Finlass, Michelle Harney-Nolan, Rosa Shine, Martina O'Brien, Blaine Gately, Joanna Keegan, Rebecca Naughton, Niamh O'Brien, Gillian Egan. Subs: Keiligh Dunning for C Dunning (80 mins), Aisling Fallon for Naughton (81). Sacred Heart School, Westport: Shelly O'Grady; Leona Ryder, Maureen Joyce, Yvonne Davitt, Ailish Rondey, Ciara McManaman, Maria Harrington, Clodagh McManaman, Avril Kilkelly, Lisa Tully, Mary Reilly. Referee: Dermot Tone.