Ellen and her Tang teammates unstoppable
Cumann na mBunscol Westmeath Division 2 girls’ football final: Tang NS 6-12, St Colmcille’s NS, Gainstown 2-9
The curtain came down on day three of the Cumann na mBunscol finals at TEG Cusack Park last Wednesday afternoon as Tang NS produced an outstanding performance to capture the Division 3 girls’ football title by defeating St Colmcille’s NS, Gainstown.
In what was a mightily impressive display by the girls in maroon and white, they chalked up a huge first half tally and their Gainstown opponents were powerless to stop them. At half-time Tang NS were leading by 3-9 to 0-1 and despite the spirited efforts of St Colmcille’s, they powered on to complete a fine victory after the break.
Player of the match went to the outstanding Ellen Finn, who scored 4-2 from open play, and team captain Ciara Gardiner collected the trophy from Cumann na mBunscol Chairman, Derek Butler after the match.
Almost the entire Tang parish seemed to be in Westmeath GAA headquarters to cheer on the team, showing wonderful community spirit and enthusiasm.
Tang’s whirlwind start paved the way for victory. Ellen Finn booted home a goal after two minutes, following Ciara Gardiner and Ericka Higgins scores, while Finn notched her second major to put them ten points clear in the eighth minute. Mya Russell’s 10th-minute goal ensured there would be no let-up.
St Colmcille’s were clearly facing a superior outfit, but they remained spirited and were rewarded when Eleanor Corcoran converted a free.
Tang NS continued their dominance after the break, adding 3-3 to their already considerable tally. The goals came from Finn (two) and Grace Reilly, while Higgins continued to impress.
Gainstown scored 1-2 without reply as Lucy Pierce found the net and Sarah Davitt notched a brace of points that could easily have been majors. Chloe Cosgrave got their second goal on 37 minutes, but Finn’s late point sealed an emphatic victory for Tang NS.
Scorers – Tang NS: E Finn 4-2, M Russell 1-2 (0-1f), E Higgins 0-4 (1f), G Reilly 1-1, C Gardiner, F Slevin and E Hickey 0-1 each. St Colmcille’s NS: E Corcoran 0-5 (1f), S Davitt 0-4, L Pierce and C Cosgrave 1-0 each.
Tang NS panel: Rachel Goulding, Niamh Murray, Elisha Groarke, Mya Gill, Ciara Gardiner (joint capt.), Ericka Higgins (joint capt.), Ellen Finn, Mya Russell, Amy Keenan, Faye Slevin, Amy Behan, Holly Fahy, Hannah Russell, Cara Taplin, Chloe Marlow, Holly Stanley, Grace Reilly, Alannah Murray, Eva Hickey, Laura Gardiner, Sarah Goulding.
St Colmcille’s NS, Gainstown panel: Eve Earley, Emma Finneran, Sophie Farrell, Molly Ryan, Zoe Cadden, Eleanor Corcoran (joint capt.), Megan Charles (joint capt.), Pippa Jackson, Lucy Pierce, Saoirse Gavin, Sarah Davitt, Chloe Cosgrave, Aisling Dacaymat, Amy Lucas, Rihanna Maloney, Isobelle O’Halloran, Gráinne Flood, Chloe Duggan Lyttle, Hayden Lynam, Katie Burke, Nicole Smyth.
Ref: Ken Daly (Loughnavalley).
Player of the match: Ellen Finn (Tang NS).