Coláiste Ailigh Girls have gone down fighting after losing their All Ireland Senior C semi-final in Tuam today.
St Mary’s Midleton, Cork, the Munster Champions saw off the Ulster Champions 2-19 to 2-02 at St Jarlath’s stadium.
The Donegal and Ulster title holders can be proud of their first senior provincial title and accept the Cork girls were too good on the day.
It was a real shame because it was an under par performance by Blaine Mulligan’s girls and the score line didn’t reflect the efforts of his team throughout – the St Mary’s girls were clinical, scoring 95 per cent of their chances.
In the end the Munster Champions were much bigger and much stronger, driven on by the diminutive Rachel Leahy who was easily Player of the match.
Coláiste Ailigh trailed St Mary’s by 12 points at the break, 1-10 to 0-01, the Letterkenny side’s only score coming from a Shannon Cunningham free in the first minute.
After that it was all one-way traffic as the Co Cork side were quicker and faster to every ball.
Cork responded to the Letterkenny point as Clare Walsh hit the back of the net in the 5th minute.
Ali Smith then hit three points in as many minutes.
Blocks from Grace Harkin and Sinead Mac Intyre stopped the Cork girls from adding to their goal tally.
However St Mary’s kept rattling over points with the brilliant Rachel Leahy (0-03), Sarah Leahy (0-02) and points apiece by the Áine Hallahan and Bridget Wall giving the Cork side a formidable lead.
Only for a superb save by Coláiste Ailigh keeper Charlie Shevlin seconds before the break it would have been worse.
In the second half Aine Hallahan hit 3 points with Aoife Healy, Roisin Keane, Lauren McAlister, Sarah Leahy and the brilliant Rachel Leahy all added to the points.
Coláiste Ailigh really came alive in the last ten minutes, showing the talent which took them to the Ulster title with goals from Anna Flanagan and Orla McCarron.
It would be remiss not to mention the endless running of Coláiste Ailigh’s Shauna Higgins who was excellent today – not the brilliant keeper Charlie Shevlin who made two more class saves in the second period.
And it is also worth mentioning referee Shane Curley. The Galway whistler was excellent.
In the end the St Mary’s team were full value for their win; and Coláiste Ailigh coach Blaine was first over to congratulate them and wish them well in the All Ireland Final next month where they will meet the winners of Connact v Leinster.
