Brilliant Bower comeback secures Leinster title
Our Lady's Bower, Athlone 5-7 Mount Sackville SS 5-6
Our Lady's Bower fought back from 12 points down to win the Lidl Leinster Schools Senior 'C' ladies football title, defeating Mount Sackville in dramatic fashion at Kinnegad earlier today (Wednesday).
The Bower trailed by eight points at half-time (4-2 to 1-3) and when Mount Sackville added 1-1 to their tally early in the second period, the Athlone side looked dead and buried.
However, the Bower girls refused to give up and goals from Elaine McGovern and substitutes Orlaith Craven and Lisa Seery put the game in the melting pot approaching the end.
The Dublin outfit was still clinging on to a one-point lead in the last minute of regulation time, when McGovern finished the ball to the net after goalkeeper Grace Gibbons was unable to deal with a high ball from Abby Curran.
Mount Sackville applied pressure in added time in a desperate bid to pull the game out of the fire, but a late point from Iseult Costello wasn't enough to deny the Bower.
First-half goals from team captain Amelia Ryan, Amy O'Leary, Kate Reynolds and Ella Connolly gave the wind-assisted Chapelizod girls a commanding lead at half-time. The Bower's first goal came from a penalty, converted by midfielder Marian Nolan.
And when Ryan scored her second goal shortly after the restart, the Bower had a mountain to climb, even though they would be aided by the wind for the reminder.
Yet Deirdre Slevin's charges kept plugging away and, ultimately, they got their reward, sparking delirious scenes at the final whistle.
Mount Sackville were aggrieved over referee Kevin Phelan's decision to rule out a 'goal' from Saoirse Behan for a 'square ball' offence in the closing stages. But it would be very unfair to begrudge the Bower this memorable victory, considering the way they clawed their way back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit.
Afterwards, Bower captain Abby Curran (a daughter of former St Brigid's and Roscommon goalkeeper Shane) was presented with the trophy by Leinster LGFA president Trina Murray. Abby was also presented with the player of the match award.
The Bower will meet Ulster champions Virginia College from Cavan in their upcoming All-Ireland semi-final.
Scorers - Our Lady's Bower: Marian Nolan 1-5 (1-0pen, 0-4f); Elaine McGovern 2-0; Orlaith Craven and Lisa Seery 1-0 each; Arlene Devery and Abby Curran 0-1 each. Mount Sackville: Amelia Ryan 2-0; Amy O'Leary 1-1; Kate Reynolds and Ella Connolly 1-0 each; Saoirse Behan 0-2 (1f); Zoe O'Brien, Sarah Condron and Iseult Costello 0-1 each.
Our Lady's Bower, Athlone: Hannah Martin (St Brigid's); Eva Fitzpatrick (Goldsmiths), Eimear Galvin (Athlone), Jillian Begley (Athlone); Doireann Ni Ruairc (St Brigid's), Aine McGrath (St Brigid's), Leah Nugent (Athlone); Tegan Foley (Garrycastle), Marian Nolan (St Brigid's); Elaine McGovern (Garrycastle), Abby Curran (St Brigid's, captain), Cara Fitzpatrick (Goldsmiths); Arlene Devery (Garrycastle), Keeva Reid (Athlone), Shauna Kenny (Clann na nGael). Subs used: Orlaith Craven (Moate), Lisa Seery (Goldsmiths), Alison Nugent (St Brigid's).
Rest of panel: Jessica Collins (St Brigid's), Aisling Nally (Goldsmiths), Natasha Keenan (St Dominic's), Leah Duffy (Goldsmiths), Grace McGlynn (Athlone), Ciara Fallon (St Brigid's), Amy McGovern (Garrycastle), Kate Stuart Trainor (Caulry), Gemma Mannion (Athlone), Sarah McNamara (Athlone), Nicole Gallagher (St Brigid's), Ellie Temple (Moate).
Management: Deirdre Slevin, Mark Barrett, Eva Coghlan (physio).