Ladies Senior Reserves Championship Final
Sat 21st Oct 2006
St James’, Aldergrove 0-10 St Brigid’s, Belfast 2-5
“Outplayed, outfought, outclassed”, so said the St Brigid’s manager’s notes at half time. “0-10 to 0-1,” they continued, “Don’t panic.”
Whether the last remarks were prescient or foolhardily filled with optimism only he knows, but something happened at the break to make the Ladies in blue and gold come out to play the half of their young lives and to turn a seemingly lost cause into a last gasp victory. Their only score in the first 30 minutes came from the boot of Catherine Mc Auley [more of her anon]. Even that kick barely crept in to keep St Brigid’s, no matter how tentatively, in the game. The first half definitely belonged to St James’ whose dominance in all sectors was reflected in their impressive 10 point tally. Their two midfielders, together with their left half back, were key. Equally crucial to St Brigid’s cause were Kate Finnegan, with an outstanding man-of-the-match display, and the ever-youthful Jane Mc Guckian who refused to let their heads drop. Perhaps it was their determination and drive which was the catalyst for the second half turnaround.
Despite the last three St James’ scores coming directly from St Brigid’s misses at the opposite end, the Belfast girls finally got on their shooting boots and narrowed the gap with well taken points from Naoimh O’Hare, Jenny Mc Mullan, Catherine Mc Auley and A.N.Other. Your correspondent’s glasses were beginning to steam up at the prospect of an unlikely comeback although he did manage to spot some personnel changes. And as usual the mighty Hannah Loughran popped up to poke home a scrappy goal that pulled the match back to a two- point game.
With the clock ticking down and the cup within the grasp of St James’ a free was awarded on the 20 metre line. With only one option, and only one thought in mind, Catherine Mc Auley stepped forward. Her mother’s heart and those of the crowd may have been racing but, to complete silence and then to whoops of delight, she buried the ball in the back of the net. Cue final whistle: game over St Brigid’s champions.
Naturally the girls of Aldergrove, their mentors and families were devastated. But they are a young team and will be back. Their mentors were gracious in defeat. This game could well have gone the other way, but sheer grit, determination and the momentum that builds within a game saw St Brigid’s through. Not to mention that last kick of the game.
To think that the match winner almost went shopping instead…Now that’s what makes ladies football different!
