Smith and Gorman strike late as Mountmellick land Shield title
Scoil Iósaif Naofa, Mountmellick who played St. Fiacc's N.S. Graiguecullen in the Cumann na mBunscol Football Finals in Laois Hire O'Moore Park Photo: Alf Harvey
ST Joseph’s GNS Mountmellick finished strongly to defeat St Fiacc’s Graiguecullen and claim the Roinn 1 Girls Shield title at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Thursday afternoon.
Lauren Smith and Poppy Gorman proved the difference, scoring late goals to seal victory after a thrilling contest.
Graiguecullen made the better start and opened up a three-point lead through Lana Abbey, Hannah Haughney and Gabija Paldaviciute.
Mountmellick gradually grew into the game. Gorman opened their account before Lauren Smith set up Ava O’Brien for an excellent goal that brought the sides level.
Mountmellick almost edged ahead before the break, but goalkeeper Zicai Guo produced a fine save to deny Gorman, ensuring the teams went in level at half-time.
Smith then struck the net early in the second half to put Mountmellick in front for the first time. Abbey replied with a point before Graiguecullen regained the lead when Haughney surged forward and finished brilliantly to the net.
The game remained finely balanced as Robyn Dunne levelled matters with a superb volleyed point. Leah McEvoy then came agonisingly close to a goal for Mountmellick, only to see her effort crash off the crossbar.
With four minutes remaining, Mountmellick found the breakthrough score. O’Brien’s effort was saved by Guo, but Smith reacted quickest to the rebound to fire home her second goal of the game.
Gorman followed with another goal to give her side breathing space, while Dakota Maher added a point to stretch the advantage.
Although Haughney converted a late free for Graiguecullen, Mountmellick held firm to see out the closing stages and secure a deserved victory.
The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration as St Joseph’s Mountmellick were crowned Roinn 1 Girls Shield champions after a determined and impressive display.
Mountmellick: Lauren Smith 2-0, Poppy Gorman 1-1, Ava O’Brien 1-0, Dakota Maher and Robyn Dunne 0-1 each.
Graiguecullen: Hannah Haughney 1-2 (0-1f), Lana Abbey 0-2, Gabija Paldaviciute 0-1.
Maggie Mae Harrison, Jessie McNamara, Anna Bourke, Isabelle Watchorne, Maddison Kelly, Sophie Campbell, Leah McEvoy, Feena Rochford, Poppy Gorman, Dakota Maher, Robyn Dunne, Lauren Smith, Ava O’Brien, Aoife Flynn, Sorcha Doran, Lily Moore, Ketsia Zakwani, Kayleigh McNamara, Layla Carney, Aoife Flynn, Sorcha Doran, Lily Moore, Ketsia Zakwani, Kayleigh McNamara, Layla Carney.
Zicai Guo, Thea Minnock, Kate Murray, Elsie Gethings, Maelys Gandnou, Hanna Taraszka, Hannah Haughney, Lana Abbey, Anna Kisznyzer, Gabjia Paldaviciute, Sarah Hayden, Ellie Dargan, Myla Murnane, Hallie Corcoran, Kylie Delaney, Lillie May Doyle, Tantoluwa Owoseni, Emma O’Shea, Aoibhe Brennan, Sommer Branagan, Emma Stynes.
