Brave Roseount

In a thrilling clash between two well matched sides, Rosemount NS hung on to win this Girls Football Medium Schools final against Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn by the narrowest of margins. Points by Rosemary McLoughlin and Michelle King gave Rosemount a two-point with a couple of minutes remaining, but they had to endure a tense finish after Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn captain Kirsty Ní Dhuinn cut the deficit to a single point. The Mullingar girls had a late chance to force extra-time but Brígh Nic Róibín sent a free narrowly wide. Of the three Cumann na mBunscol finals held in Cusack Park on Wednesday of last week, this was undoubtedly the game of the day. The sides were level at half-time, 2-2 to 2-2, after the Gaelscoil had fought back from two goals down. The lively Emma Collins opened the scoring with a sixth minute goal and another good finish by Emma McCormack saw Rosemount double their advantage. Points by Jennifer Ni Mhórdha and Oriana Ní Chuinn gave the Gaelscoil a boost. And, in the 15th minute, Rebecca Nic Aogáin finished the ball to the net from close range to leave just a point between the sides. On 17 minutes, the Mullingar side went ahead thanks to a goal from Brígh Nic Róibín. Rosemount responded to these setbacks with fine points from Rosemary McLoughlin and Mairead Fox which meant the teams were deadlocked at the interval. A neat turn and finish from Emma Collins saw Rosemount regain the lead within four minutes of the restart, but the impressive Brígh Nic Róibín levelled matters six minutes later. The black and amber side dominated most of the remainder of the game, but they missed several chances before Rosemary McLoughlin eventually gave them the lead. Michelle King put Rosemount two ahead before a brilliant Kirsty Ní Dhuinn point left the minimum between the,. Great defensive work by Sarah McCormack - who was outstanding all through - and Sandra Nestor helped Rosemount to protect their lead in the exciting closing stages. Indeed, the ability of the Rosemount players to block their opponents" shots was a real feature of the game. Amid scenes of great delight after the game, Rosemount captain Niamh Geoghegan lifted the cup on behalf of the victorious team. SCORERS - Rosemount NS: E Collins, E McCormack 1-1 each; R McLoughlin, M Fox, M King 0-1 each. Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn: B Nic Róibín 1-1; R Nic Aogáin 1-0; J Ní Mhórdha, O Ní Chuinn, K Ní Dhuinn 0-1 each. ROSEMOUNT NS: Ciara O"Neill, Sarah McCormack, Niamh Geoghegan (capt.), Sandra Nestor, Nicola Mullen, Michelle King, Mairéad Fox, Rosemary McLoughlin, Emma McCormack, Emma Collins. Subs used: Terese O"Reilly. Rest of panel: Amy Slevin, Kayleigh Wade, Megan Slevin, Eva Kelly, Rachel Kelly, Lizzie Dunning, Sarah Clarke, Rachel Duffy, Claire Molloy, Claire Fielding, Katie Higgins, Jessica Slevin, Lorraine Quinn, Sinéad Fagan. GAELSCOIL AN MHUILINN: Sabina Nic Lochlainn, Sorcha Ni Thuachair, Faye Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, Michaela Ní Dhuinn, Kerri Ni Bholgúir, Kirsty Ní Dhuinn (capt.), Rebecca Nic Aogáin, Oriana Ní Chuinn, Brígh Nic Róibín, Jennifer Ni Mhórdha. Rest of panel: Lauren Nic Cormaic, Úna Roibheal, Emily Ní Bhruadair, Chloe Ní Chorcráin, Lauren Nix Uistín, Lauren Ní Chathasaigh, Rhiannon Ní Fhaoileacháin. REFEREE: Terry O"Dowd (Mullingar Shamrocks).