Our women are Senior Connacht Champions!

Spectators were in for a treat when they witnessed Dunmore CS take on St Louis, Kiltimagh in the senior C ladies Connacht final in the dome, COE Bekan on Wednesday 17th. Off the back of a very successful year at Junior C last year with the team winning the Connacht final and narrowly losing out to a Kerry team in the All Ireland final, this year seemed bright for these girls with some talented leaving cert students added into the mix. However, this was senior level, a different kettle of fish which means you never know what to expect. Prospects were bright for Dunmore CS with comprehensive wins in their group stages over Abbey Boyle, Presentation Headford, Ballyhaunis CS and St Nathys Ballaghaderreen and another superb win in the Connacht semi-final over Colaiste Iognaid (the Jes), coupled with the fact that the Junior girls had reached their Connacht final in the B competition back in December where they conceded to Headford. Despite this St Louis proved worthy opponents with a sensational comeback in their Connacht semi-final to come from being 7 points behind to a 10-point victory against Ursuline College, Sligo, so these girls were not to be underestimated.
Certainly, St Louis started strong with a goal in the opening seconds putting Dunmore on the back foot. Dunmore took some time to settle into the game and were lucky to have levelled the score at half time with Kiltimagh registering 1-6 and Dunmore 9 points, both getting 4 of their points from frees. Dunmore was starting to warm up and despite some attempts, the goal alluded them. A cynical foul by the Dunmore goalie in the 25th minute, preventing a sure goal saw her sin-binned and demanded a shake-up of the team as they went down to 14 players.
Dunmore rose to the challenge however and came out in the second half in scintillating form, starting the scoring immediately. They were rewarded with a goal shortly after, well worked by Megan Healy, which really spurred them on and the team continued to build from there. In fact, as Dunmore kept tagging on the points, Kiltimagh failed to respond, taking 17 minutes into the second half to register their first score. A fantastic defensive effort by Dunmore maintained Kiltimagh in their own half fighting for their kickouts. A lot of the time 2 outfield players from Dunmore alongside the goalie were all that remained in the Dunmore half of the field as Kiltimagh, who shone in the first half, put all their resources into defence to try and halt the Dunmore onslaught and curb the momentum. Dunmore placed real pressure on the Kiltimagh kickouts, winning the majority. Some fantastic carries, passages of play, passing, awareness and teamwork resulted in a 10-point victory for Dunmore who only allowed Kiltimagh add another 3 points to their tally since halftime, 2 of which from frees, while they themselves popped over 10 points alongside their goal. The final score being Dunmore CS 1-19, St Louis, KIltimagh 1-9.
A spirit-lifting performance by Dunmore CS with students ranging from second year to leaving certificate. So many stars on display today with some superb efforts. These girls have put serious effort and commitment in this year and they are certainly being rewarded for their efforts. Player of the match performances were witnessed all over the pitch with great leadership displayed.
Dunmore CS managed by Susan O’Reilly and Barbara Hannon and sponsored by Knightbuild are newly crowned Senior C Connacht champions, and now progress to the all Ireland stages where they meet the Leinster champions in the coming weeks. We wish them all the best in their endeavours!
Panel: Ella Burns, Eva Daly, Alicia Costello, Shannon Kilgarriff, Emma Concannon, Meadhbh Hanley, Chloe Diskin, Katie Slattery(0-2), Isabelle Murray(0-6), Rebecca Noone (0-9), Megan Healy(1-1), Emma Heneghan, Lily Kearney(0-1), Grace Dooley, Amy O’Connor, Erika Diskin, Ailbhe Brennan, Aisling Morris, Amy Deane, Chloe Costello, Ciara Farrell, Ellen Gilmore, Emma Smyth, Katie Kilgarriff, Maria O’Brien, Nadine Donelon, Saoirse Hunter, Saoirse Ward, Sarah Hartnett, Sinead Finn, Ellen Glynn
Student assistants: Darragh Meehan, Luke Dowling, Dylan Hannon, Robert Glynn, Barry Murray, Niall Heneghan, Dáithí Reddington
Images courtesy of Pauline Flatley and Sally Lavin