Keegan the hero as St Paul’s take a single point win over Killeshin in Junior final
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St Paul’s and Killeshin travelled to Annanough GAA grounds this evening to contest the Junior title for 2024.
Killeshin haven’t reached a county final since 2014 with St Paul’s failing to field an Intermediate team last season meaning they had to drop to Junior this year.
The game kicked off with Lucy Gaffney hand passing the ball over the top of St Paul’s defence to find Eva Kavanagh who rattled the woodwork. Niamh Graham got on the end of the loose ball and pointed the opening score after two minutes.
St Paul’s defender was pulled up for over carrying having won the kickout, this allowed Aisling Cawley point a free off her left boot. Shannon Costello was on the end of a St Paul’s attack and roasted the Killeshin defence going through on goal but taking her point instead.
Killeshin were in possession for a lot of the next 10 minutes but failed to convert any chances they created. St Paul’s were reduced to 14 as Aoife Langford was shown a yellow card for a pull down on Cara English, Graham converted the resulting free.
The yellow card awoke the St Paul’s ladies as they kicked 1-3 in the following six minutes. Clodagh Brogan was the first of the scores as she rattled the upper left corner of the Killeshin net. Aoibhin Maher kicked a super point from play with Brogan pointed from a placed ball soon after. Rebecca Balfe was on the end of their fourth white flag.
Killeshin were awarded a free up the other end, Cawley stepped up and found Graham who turned and split the posts. After a poor wide, Brogan got her hands on the Killeshin kickout and laid it off to Maher who converted the final score of the half to put her side four ahead at the break, (1-5 to 0-4).
Killeshin stayed the second half strong and narrowed the gap to just one point within the opening two minutes. Cara English registered her first score from the throw-in with a second a minute later, with a Graham free sandwiched in between. St Paul’s responded in the best possible manner with Brogan setting up Costello who slotted the ball against the near post and past Siobhan Dowling.
English added a third point for a side with Killeshin taking advantage of St Paul’s kickout. The girls in blue continued to defend with extreme resilience and when they broke out and marched forward, Brogan was fouled in the square. Costello stepped up but her effort was denied by Dowling at a crucial stage in the game.
Sinead O’Rourke stepped up for her side and kicked an outstanding point from play pushing St Paul’s four points clear as they entered the remaining quarter. Killeshin put 1-1 away in the space of three minutes bringing the game level. A Graham free followed up by Darien Hughes tapping in a one-on-one goal.
St Paul’s had a chance to put the game to bed but Niamh Conroy’s dropped effort bounced off the crossbar. With the sides still level, Killeshin were awarded a scoreable free, Grahan took the responsibility and having been so reliable all game she kicked the ball to the right and wide. There was only one hero as four minutes deep into injury time, St Paul’s substitute Anna Keegan put her fresh legs to work and split the posts sealing a point victory for her side.
SCORERS — St Paul’s: Shannon Costello and Clodagh Brogan (0-1f) 1-1 each, Aoibhin Maher 0-2, Sinead O’Rourke, Rebecca Balfe, and Anna Keegan 0-1 each.
Killeshin: Niamh Graham 0-5 (0-3fs), Cara English 0-3, Darien Hughes 1-0, Aisling Cawley 0-1 (f).
ST PAUL’S: Abi Swift; Kayla Lawlor, Kelly Hogan, Anna Hanlon; Aoife Langford, Louise O’Halloran, Holly Langford; Mary-Kate Moore, Isabella O’Toole; Rebecca Balfe, Shannon Costello, Aoibhin Maher; Clodagh Brogan, Sinead O’Rourke, Niamh Conroy.
Subs: Lucy Kirwan for Holly Langford (45m), Kerrie Costello for O’Rourke (49m), Anna Keegan for Maher (49m).
KILLESHIN: Siobhan Dowling; Seoighe English, Aoife O’Rourke, Emma Malone; Katie McGrath, Eadaoin Cawley, Julia Dempsey; Orla Davis, Lucy Gaffney; Darien Hughes, Niamh Graham, Cara English; Aisling Cawley, Eva Kavanagh, Aoife Brennan.
Subs: Claire Shortall for McGrath (38m), Lorraine Doogue for (45m), and Amy Heffernan for Davis (56m).
