Garrycastle girls claim county title as Dolan and Gaffey lead the way

The Garrycastle senior ladies showed true grit and determination to claim the county title when they beat last year"s champions, Milltown, in what was a great game of football with a nail-biting finish. Having beaten Rochfortbridge on the previous Monday in a tough semi-final, the Garrycastle girls maintained their focus and took home the silverware. Captain Aoife McCormack accepted the cup on behalf of her team from county chairman, Shay Boyhan. From the word go, this was a fast game of football with end-to-end play from both sides. It took the Garrycastle girls a while to settle but once the first score went over it settled the nerves. From here the "Castle dominated play for the most of the first half and notched up their scores. A penalty save from goalie Claire Gaffey certainly helped matters. In the second half, Garrycastle dominated the opening minutes but failed to register this dominance on the scoreboard. Milltown did respond and clawed back the lead. When a second penalty was awarded to Milltown nobody could have predicted that Claire Gaffey would pull off another great save. Milltown did eventually get past her and managed to draw level with ten minutes to go. The green and red side now showed their composure and held their nerve and despite the pressure put two points over at this crucial stage. Milltown slotted over one more but with time running out the Garrycastle backs defended superbly and held the one-point lead to maintain victory. This was a great game of football with each player giving their very best and showing what determination and will-to-win can produce. Claire Gaffey in goals was outstanding and well deserved her player of the match award. The full-back line stood firm all through. Siobhan Dunne was solid having a great first half. Full-back Megan McCormack never panicked and held her ground to keep Milltown at bay. Denise Dunne showed her experience winning great ball and covering at all times. The half-back line was superb with captain Aoife McCormack in the middle giving an outstanding performance. She showed great leadership and continually drove the ball into her forwards. Wing-backs Lisa Fitzpatrick and Grace Egan worked so hard, picking up loose ball and driving down the field. Ali Smyth at midfield won great ball for her side and demonstrated the art of high fielding with great delivery into the forwards. Ann Duignan worked tirelessly from start to finish giving her opponent Ruth Kearney very little chance to dominate. Wing-forwards, Staci Wykes and Georgina Fagan worked the lines all through supporting midfield while centre half-forward Denise Murtagh showed her strength in the middle. The full-forward line had Milltown under pressure with corner-forwards Sinead Walker and Aine McCormack causing problems to the Milltown defence. Sarah Dolan at full-forward certainly took Milltown by surprise and her dominance in the first half paid off. Substitutes Orla Connaughton and Vanessa Allen made their mark when introduced and to all the panel on the side who supported their team all through the game. Heartiest congratulations must go to all the girls on their great victory and every good wish to them as they progress to represent Westmeath at Leinster. Great credit must go to the management team of Gerry Walker, Patricia Dolan and Jackie Turley for their work and commitment with this team all year. Garrycastle (panel): Claire Gaffey, Denise Dunne, Megan McCormack, Siobhan Dunne, Grace Egan, Aoife McCormack, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Alison Smyth (0-1), Anne Duignan (0-1), Georgina Fagan, Denise Murtagh (0-2), Stacey Wykes, Aine McCormack, Sarah Dolan (1-5), Sinead Walker, Orla Connaughton, Emer Murphy, Vanessa Allen, Jemma Costello, Ailish Killane, Amy Duncan, Roseanne Carroll, Heather Flynn, Caoimhe Mackey, Amy Farrell, Melissa Curley, Jessica McMickam, Karen Farrell, Laura Brennan. Milltown (panel): Niamh Mulligan, Maura Coloe, Olive Heduan, Joye Kearney, Kelly Boyce-Jordan, Grace Kearney, Sinead Boyce, Ruth Kearney, Helen Walsh, Carmel Mahon, Faye Kearney, Karen Walsh, Laura Kiernan, Katie Somers, Laura Halligan, Bronagh Beglan, Aoife Mulligan, Lynda Somers, Megan Pendred, Kellie Phillips, Shauna Dillon, Grace Bruton, Tara Heduan, Michelle Lermon, Mairead Murtagh, Aisling Barmon. Referee: Seamus McCormack.