Credit Union Donal Curtin Cup Division 2 Final
Castleisland Desmonds 1-11 Clounmacon/Moyvane 1-11 (aet)
(Castleisland Desmonds win 5-4 on free kicks)
It took free kicks to decide this epic encounter and the reality was that neither of these two fine protagonists deserved to lose what was an absorbing contest at a resplendent Brosna GAA ground.
Desmonds Bríd Curtin was the hero as she slotted the final winner to the delight of her teammates but one would have to feel for a Clounmacon/Moyvane side that travelled with a large vocal support to the game.
Spot kicks at the end of the game are a dramatic but cruel way to lose any final, but Clounmacon/Moyvane can hold their heads high after coming within inches of claiming the silverware.
In many ways the story of the game was all about Castleisland Desmonds resilience as they courageously stuck to their task despite Clounmacon/Moyvane matching their opponent’s toe for toe throughout.
The midfield battle was fascinating with Clounmacon/Moyvane’s Muirne Wall and Laura Sheeran influential figures, but equally so were the magnificent Lorraine Scanlon and Amy Curtin for Desmonds.
Jane Lynch at centre half back and Clounmacon/Moyvane’s Erin Finucane had big moments to equal effect whilst Gillian Musgrave and Niamh Walsh were the shooting stars for their respective sides.
The teams were level at 0-2 apiece after seven minutes with Desmonds’ Walsh and Clounmacon/Moyvanes Musgrave hitting a brace apiece.
A great ball from Ava Fitzgerald found Laura Sheeran who made no mistake to push Clounmacon/Moyvane one ahead, and Brian Carty’s side dominated the remainder of the half with Erin Finucane hitting a brace (1 free) and Gillian Musgrave (free) to push them 0-6 to 0-2 to the good.
Clounmacon/Moyvane were wasteful in attack during this period, hitting 5 wides, although Desmonds will point to some magnificent pressure defence from their rearguard with Gemma Kearney in particularly defiant form.
The last score of the half fell to Lorraine Scanlon, now back on the field after suffering a blow to the head. Scanlon’s score followed a patient and well-orchestrated Desmonds attack, but it was Clounmacon/Moyvane took in a deserved 0-6 to 0-3 lead at the half time break.
Walsh slotted a free at the start of the second period, but Finucane replied from play to push Clounmacon/Moyvane 0-7 to 0-4 ahead.
Walsh hit a brace (1 free) before Clounmacon/Moyvane responded through Finucane and Musgrave, Then, in the 40th minute came the goal that Martin O’Donoghue’s Desmonds craved, when a flowing move saw Hanna Herlihy finish low and off the post to the back of the net.
Five minutes later and Muirne Wall had the ball in the back of the Desmonds onion sack after an equally rapid attack from Clounmacon/Moyvane.
To their credit Desmonds responded impressively. Lorraine Scanlon, covering every inch of the Brosna paddock, raised a white flag for in the 48th minute.
Three minutes later Gemma Kearney sliced through the heart of the Clounmacon/Moyvane defence before slotting over a fine point to level the contest at 1-8 apiece.
The game was end to end and Clounmacon/Moyvane’s Musgrave had a goal chance that flashed just wide. Unperturbed, Finucane then fed Musgrave for a point to push her side one ahead with two minutes left on the clock.
Time was running out for Desmonds. They attacked the black and amber rearguard once more and in a dramatic final flourish, substitute Shauna Wilkinson found Amy Curtin who drilled over to bring the game to extra time.
The extra time action was full of intensity. The bodies were tired, but both of these fine teams refused to wilt. Walsh put over a free for Desmonds before Musgrave replied at the other end from play in the opening period.
Substitute Edel O’Donoghue looked to have sealed the game for Desmonds when she pointed with a few minutes to spare.
Clounmacon/Moyvane found a dramatic equaliser when a well worked free kick fell to Erin Finucane, and her superb individual point at the death raised the roof and brought the game to a free kick contest.
It was Desmonds that triumphed in the free punt lottery, but both sides must be commended for what was a battle full of honesty, skill and commitment.
Castleisland Desmonds: Jennifer Drumm; Grave Cahill, Saoirse Murphy, Caitlyn Griffin, Gemma Kearney (0-1), Jane Lynch, Hanna Herlihy (1 goal); Lorraine Scanlon 0-2, Amy Curtin 0-1; Lorna Devane, Keelin O’Sullivan, Kate O’Connor; Niamh Walsh 0-6 (3f), Bríd Curtin, Ruth Cahill. Subs used: Seana Wilkinson, Edel O’Donoghue 0-1.
Clounmacon/Moyvane: Nicola Kennelly; Ciara Hudson, Ashlea Sheehy, Catherine Flavin; Tara Enright, Aobha Quinn, Ornaith Wall; Muirne Wall (1 goal), Laura Sheeran; Ava Fitzgerald (0-1), Erin Finucane 0-4 (1f), Grainne Musgrave; Fiona Buckley, Gillian Musgrave 0-6 (3f), Marie Kennelly. Subs used: Mikaela Mulvihill, Laura Stack, Lauren Duffy.
Referee: Maurice Murphy.