Pearses denied as Casserly goal seals victory for Galway girls
Tuam-Cortoon 1-14 Pádraig Pearses 0-8
Martin Nally
Despite a gallant second-half fightback, it wasn't to be for Pádraig Pearses as Tuam-Cortoon defeated the Roscommon champions in last Sunday's Connacht LGFA intermediate final at Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry.
John Whyte's team trailed by seven points at the break but inspired by17-year-old Roscommon minor star Laura Glennon, Pearses mounted a comeback and cut the deficit to three points with a quarter of the contest remaining.
However, it was the Galway champions who finished the stronger, hitting 1-3 without reply to be crowned Connacht champions for the first time in their history.
On a lovely day for football with clear skies and no rain, it was Tuam-Cortoon who started the brighter. Clodagh Fallon chipped over an early point before midfielder Aoife O'Rourke doubled her side's tally in the seventh minute. A minute later, O'Rourke's left-footed effort almost landed in the back of the net but Pádraig Pearses goalkeeper Lily Finneran was alert to divert it over the bar.
Pearses eventually found their rhythm as Bláthnaid Kelly used her strength to get her shot away under heavy pressure to register her team's first point of the contest. Their second arrived soon after when Laura Glennon took a free quickly and raced clear to pop the ball over the bar.
After a slow start, the Woodmount based club were now in full flow and were on level terms in the 12th minute when corner-forward Katelyn Keogh made it three points in a row for her side. Aoife O'Rourke's third point then put Tuam-Cortoon back in front (13th minute). We almost had the game's first goal a minute later when Katelyn Keogh's effort flew across the goalmouth and just wide of the far post.
Tuam-Cortoon extended their advantage through Sarah Banks and Fallon to once more lead by three points with a quarter of the game gone.
However, Keogh raised another white flag with a lovely effort in the 16th minute and in the game's next attack she was almost rewarded with a green flag. Glennon launched a long pinpoint ball down the centre of the Tuam-Cortoon defence which found Keogh. She had just the Tuam-Cortoon goalkeeper to beat but Aoife Higgins advanced off her line quickly and smothered Keogh's effort.
Fallon made it 0-7 to 0-4 to the Galway champions with the game's first score from a free in what was an entertaining first half. Eabha Smith scored a fine point on the run to make it a double score game and, in the 23rd minute, Pearses suffered a setback when they were momentarily reduced to 14 players. Clodagh Powell received a yellow card for a late challenge and was sent to the sin bin.
Tuam-Cortoon made use of their numerical advantage as they finished the half strongly. Smith popped over her second point of the day before Fallon converted a free which was awarded because of a breach. Gemma Casserly finished first-half scoring with her first point as Tuam-Cortoon led 0-11 to 0-4 at half-time.
Pearses started the new half with the aid of a slight breeze but it was Tuam-Cortoon who dominated possession in the early proceedings. However, it was the Roscommon outfit who got the first score of the half through Glennon.
The momentum then swung in their favour with Glennon adding a couple more points, one from a placed ball. A real star in the making, Glennon added her fifth of the game to put just three points between the sides with a quarter of the game remaining.
However, Tuam-Cortoon steadied the ship with their first score in over 20 minutes courtesy of a fine point by Casserly. Player of the match Clodagh Fallon added a free for the Galway girls who were beginning to pull away from their opponents once more.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 55th minute when Casserly worked her way down the right wing to blast the ball to the back of the net for a Tuam-Cortoon goal.
Despite their brave comeback attempt, ultimately it wasn't to be for Pádraig Pearses and Casserly added a late point to secure a nine point win for Tuam-Cortoon and the Connacht intermediate championship. Afterwards, the cup was presented to Tuam-Cortoon captain Kate Geraghty by Connacht LGFA chairman Keith Gilroy.
Player of the match: Clodagh Fallon (Tuam-Cortoon). Although only 18 years of age, Fallon showed great leadership qualities for Tuam-Cortoon. She got the game's opening point and was a constant threat throughout and was also reliable from placed balls. Fallon finished the game with five points and never dropped her work rate. A deserving recipient of the accolade.
Scorers – Tuam-Cortoon: G Casserly 1-3; C Fallon 0-5 (3f); A O'Rourke 0-3; E Smith 0-2; S Banks 0-1. Pearses: L Glennon 0-5 (1f); K Keogh 0-2; B Kelly 0-1.
Tuam-Cortoon - Aoife Higgins; Eimear Fallon, Saoirse Melia, Laura O'Dea; India Cunniffe, Kate Geraghty, Jenni Reidy; Lara Finnegan, Aoife O'Rourke; Clodagh Fallon, Molly McGrath, Sarah Banks; Eabha Smith, Gemma Casserly, Sharon Devaney. Subs: Emer Roche for O'Dea, 57 mins; Gemma Gavin for McGrath, 59.
Pádraig Pearses - Lily Finneran; Emma McGreal, Ciara Lohan, Clodagh Powell; Róisín O'Sullivan, Grainne Lohan, Katie Malone; Sarah Dooley, Áine Ryan; Katie Canning, Esmae Halpin, Chloe Mulryan; Katelyn Keogh, Bláthnaid Kelly, Laura Glennon. Subs: Caitlin Malone for Mulryan, half-time; Sarah Kate Goode for Kelly, 49 mins; Isabella Downey for Dooley, 52; Sarah Killeen for Ryan, 56.
Referee - Kevin Corcoran (Mayo).