Lesson learned last year pay dividends for Joseph’s

ST Joseph’s put the hurt of losing the 2023 county final behind them as they were crowned LOETB Laois LGFA Intermediate champions on Saturday afternoon.

Joint-manager Aidan Rowan gave his immediate thoughts on the victory in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

“It feels absolutely fantastic, I'm delighted we finally got over the line. We felt so bad after last year, we came so close to winning and it can go one way or the other in that situation, but the way the girls came back this year is just fantastic. The commitment and effort they put in, and today, look, fair play to Graigue as well, they really put it up to us, and look, I'm delighted I'm over the moon,” he said.

St Joseph’s were playing in their second consecutive county final having been defeated by Shanahoe in the 2023 final in Stradbally. Rowan says the side learned a few ‘hard lessons from Shanhoe’ which they used to get them over the line against Graiguecullen.

“We took a lot of hurt from the final anyway, without a doubt, and from a footballing perspective, I suppose, we learned a couple of hard lessons from Shanahoe. We definitely weren't overconfident, even confident going into that final, but yeah, we took a lot of hurt from that final and used it to drive us on this year,” Rowan said.

The final few minutes were very nervy for Rowan and his players as they had to endure nine minutes of stoppage time with them only leading by three points. Rowan knew that he had players that he could count to get the victory.

“I wouldn't have said we'd get caught. We’ve some great girls, but look, finals can go anywhere at all. A three-point lead is lethal dangerous as well. I'm just delighted we got over the line. No idea where nine minutes of stoppage time came from, but we got there,” he said.

Goalkeeper Ava Shanhan showed her class in the final as she saved a penalty from Kathlyn Timmons as well as producing a wonderful save one-on-one from Mia Branagan.

“Ava Shanahan is an outstanding goalkeeper. I really hope Stephen Duff will have a very, very close look at her this year. She bore the brunt of a very difficult Laois Minor campaign this year when she was captain, it didn't go well at all. Confidence was on an all-time low after it but she's an incredible goalkeeper and I honestly don't think there's anyone like her in the county,” Rowan said.

Rowan’s side have enjoyed a wonderful year of football as they played in Division 1 of the league where they ended up reaching the final and losing to Senior finalists Portlaoise.

“We went up to Division 1 this year, and people were saying we'd come down and we'd be out of our depth and all that but we swam in deep waters and we beat most of them. We had two bad days out against Ballyroan and Portlaoise, but we regrouped big time in the final. I'm not saying we should have won the final, but if things had gone a little better, we could have. Anna Moore was suspended for that final, a couple of girls injured as well. We're really looking forward to next year,” he ended.