By Therese Hartley

The under 15 League this year was a resounding success and it marked Connolly Celtic registering an historic first title win for the club. Indeed each of the five clubs made huge progress. Lifford A remain a force, with Lifford B pulling off some fine results. Bridge United and Moneypoint succeeded in recording their first victories so all round the improvements were clear to see.

Sarah Reidy, Connolly Celtic captain was hugely positive about the season her team enjoyed:

“The League was well organised. At the times when the weather was bad we played on the Astro turf in Lees Road. That meant there was very little disruption so the whole thing went smoothly. The fact it was on Astro though suited ball playing teams more because it runs much faster. I think that left us at a disadvantage because we wouldn’t be familiar with the surface but we don’t have any complaints!

I played in the League last year and I think that whole experience helped us immensely. It went down to the last day of the season with ourselves and Lifford A still in the hunt. Being honest we were kind of surprised with that because it was our first time playing in such a structured competition. The one huge thing we took out of that year was that we started beating the better teams, though a win against Lifford A still remained elusive.

I think this year we had more numbers. We got two new players and they made a difference but it was a real squad effort. The first time we played Lifford was 6 years ago and on that occasion we last 8-0. This was our first time ever beating them and it shows the improvements we have made. They are a very good team and, if we were to win the title, that is how we would have liked to do it.

All the girls are really close knit. All of us more or less play with the same camogie team too and we know each other well. It was a team effort and everyone played their part.

We want to push on from here. Looking to next year we want to compete at an even higher level. We have shown what we can do so I think the next thing we need to strive for is competing in the National Cups. I’d quite like the idea of a county team also.”

Connolly Celtic 1 Lifford A 0

Connolly Celtic won the Woodstock under 15 Clare League with victory over defending champions Lifford A in Kilmaley on Monday evening last. Lifford needed a win to force a playoff at a neutral venue but Connolly were determined to make their home advantage count.

Connolly started brightly with Natasha Clyde, Lisa Kennedy and Shona Enright playing well in midfield. Every ball was fiercely contested as both teams began to create goal scoring chances but both defences refused to concede.

Connolly registered the first effort on target when Kennedy’s shot was well saved by Lifford keeper Maria McMahon. In the 20^th minute Connolly took the lead – Shona Enright netting the game’s crucial goal. Her shot from the edge of the area found the net after Eimear Considine had headed down Eimear Griffey’s long throw in.

Ailish Considine had a chance to double Connolly’s lead five minutes later but her free-kick went wide of the Lifford post. Deirdre Kelleher then raced onto another header from Eimear Considine inside the penalty area but her first time volley flew over the Lifford crossbar. 

Lifford created their chances too. Louise Woods was clean through with the Connolly keeper Niamh McGuane and but for a brilliant save from the shot stopper the Ennis side would have found themselves on level terms. Lifford continued to pile on the pressure in the second half and Connolly’s defensive resistance was tested to its limits. Determined performances from the defensive quarter of Mary Clue, Lorna Higgins, Orla Keane and Niamh McGuane helped preserve their advantage.

When they were breached it was the frame of the goals that came to Connolly’s rescue. Toni Lagan’s bullet of a shot looked certain to nestle in the top of the net but it rattled the crossbar and rebounded to safety. Louise Woods was then played through for a one-on-one with McGuane but the keeper stood tall and got down well to save.

Connolly had to withstand a few more scares before the final whistle blew. Naomi Carroll drilled a low ball across the box. All it needed was a touch but despite Shona Lynch and Toni Lagan giving it their best effort the ball trickled wide.

Connolly Celtic’s chances were now few and far between but late on Shona Enright made a late break forward and fired in an excellent shot on the run, only to be denied by Maria McMahon in the Lifford goal. The match was well refereed by Frankie Coote who had the honour of presenting the Woodstock sponsored trophy after the match to Connolly’s captain for the day Shona Enright and injured team captain Sarah Reidy.

Martin Hehir, manager of Connolly Celtic was understandably happy after the game: “We are delighted. It was a brilliant result for us. Lifford are a great team and all the players worked so hard. For them to have the trophy now is just excellent.”

Lifford manager Damian Walsh was gracious in defeat: “It’s a great result for the Clare League. They fought like tigers, they were everywhere in twos and threes and fully deserved their victory. It was a good even match and I would like to congratulate them on winning the title.”