Five first half goals ensure Moate CS victory
Westmeath LGFA first year schools Div 1 final: Moate CS 6-8, Loreto College 4-7
Moate Community Schools captured the Westmeath Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) first year schools Division 1 title with a deserved victory over Loreto College, Mullingar at Lakepoint Park on Wednesday.
Moate CS made most of the early running and led by 5-5 to 1-6 at half-time, but Loreto College produced a superb second half effort to reduce the deficit. They outscored Moate CS (3-1 to 1-3) in the second half despite playing against the breeze.
Moate CS looked seriously impressive in the opening half and goals from Cara Winters, Eliza Mallon and Niamh Henson saw them take a firm grip on this premier final. A stunning finish from Phoebe Molloy that nestled perfectly in the top corner of the net gave the Mullingar girls hope.
Grace Pillion and Winters both added goals for a stronger Moate CS side, however, and they enjoyed a lead of 11 points at the break.
A spirited Loreto College side responded impressively with goals from Emily McDonnell and Aoibhin O’Sullivan to reduce the leeway to six points by the 50th minute. A goal from Niamh Henson ensured there would be no fairytale comeback, though and while McDonnell found the net again, the title went south.
Afterwards, Ted Cronin, on behalf of Westmeath LGFA, presented the cup to Moate CS captain Kaithlyn Bradley.
Moate CS: Kate Henson, Mary Casey, Aoibheann Young, Keira Guinan, Katie Claffey (vice-capt.), Kaithlyn Bradley (capt.), Abigail Kelly, Aoibheann Quinn Sophie Duffy, Grace Pillion (vice-capt.), Eliza Mallon, Alexandra Grady, Cara Winters, Niamh Henson, Aimee Greene, Grace Hallissy, Emme Fitzgerald, Emma Martin, Aoife Kinahan, Aoife O’Brien, Lauren Moran.
Loreto College: Chloe Kelly, Ellen Plunkett, Eilis Nohilly, Ciara Egerton, Karla Keena, Caoimhe Shanley (joint-captain), Kate O‘Donoghue, Emma Williams, Emily McDonnell, Aoibhin O’Sullivan, Ella Rose Brennan, Roisin Brady, Heidi Molloy, Rachel Cummins (joint-captain), Phoebe Molloy, Isabelle Smyth, Katie Bohan, Ella Frayne, Railtin Thornton, Síog Thornton, Hannah O’Brien, Mary Lyons, Katie Raleigh, Willow Gavin.
Referee: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).