DUNEDIN CONNOLLY’S WERE victorious in more ways than one in the Ladies All-Britain Intermediate Championship yesterday.
Dunedin Connolly’s 3-8 John Mitchels 3-2
For the Edinburgh-based side, only a win by a minimum of six points would see them progress to the semi-finals.
A harrowing prospect for them considering their opposition were also their closest rivals from Liverpool and a side who they’ve met in as many as four finals over the past two seasons.
Thanks to an emotionally charged performance and a late dramatic goal, they got the six point win that was required of them.
[adrotate group=”56″]What’s more, there was a sprinkling of Donegal interest in the affair as Connolly’s manager is former St Eunan’s Junior player and joint-manager, Jonathan Foley, from Letterkenny.
This is Foley’s first season in charge of the Edinburgh club after having previously worked as part of the backroom team in the last two campaigns.
Playing a vital role in the team’s success was Gortahork born, Karen Feeney (pictured above). The former Cloughaneely and St Michael’s forward who also won the 2010 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship for Donegal.
Feeney joined the club last season after undertaking a Masters in Physiotherapy at Queen Margaret University; the university side she helped win the British Universities Championship with earlier this year.
There was another touch of involvement from the St Eunan’s alumni as Angie Callaghan was named as a Connollys sub while Andrea McMahon – also from Letterkenny – lined out for Mitchels.
In the match itself, it was the Liverpool club who drew first blood as they led 1-1 to 0-1 lead after the opening fifteen minutes.
Connolly’s upped the ante from then on and put in a wonderful display of both attacking and defensive football which oozed of collectiveness.
By the time the interval came, they led 2-3 to 1-1 with the second goal coming from Christina Newton; niece of former Donegal player, Des Newton.
The home side continued to push onward and with four minutes, they looked as though they’d done enough as they held a seven point lead.
Mitchels were not to be undone yet however as they responded with a point and a goal of their own which cut the lead back to three going into the closing three minutes.
Connollys were momentarily rattled but they found an extra gear as the seconds ticked closer to the final whistle when former Meath player, Sue O’Sullivan beat three players, rounded the keeper and buried a most determined strike into the back of the net.
The six-point lead was restored and with Mitchels hitting two wides against a packed and resilient Connollys defence, the whistle was blown and mass scenes of celebration broke out for the home side.
[adrotate group=”46″]“It was a great moment for the players. We’d been hurting after we lost to Oisins in July but credit to them, they moved on and built themselves up for this one” Foley said afterwards.
“Getting a win over a quality side like Mitchels is tough enough but to have to try and get one by at least six points was a big ask but I’m very proud of everyone of them for the heart, spirit and character they’ve shown for this one”.
Dunedin Connolly’s will now prepare for their next test which is a semi-final against London Parnell’s in Coventry on September 17.
Tags: