Cumann na mBunscol Corn na Laoch Final (Replay), Páirc Parnell

Scoil Áine Shankill 1-4

Scoil Olaf, Balally 1-3

The replay of the Corn na Laoch decider was every bit as exciting as the drawn game with the issue in doubt right up to the last kick of the match. The Shankill girls used their superior height and size advantage to great effect in the first period building up a commanding lead of 1-3 to no score after just ten minutes. Goalkeeper Mairéad O’Shea Scanlan made a wonderful double save to keep out the Scoil Áine forwards and the chasing and tackling of the entire defence was typified by the energetic Harriet Meagan and Sadhbh Maher. Chloe McDonald eventually settled the Olaf’s girls with a well taken point from a free but another point from St Anne’s ensured a 6 point half time lead for the girls in green.

It looked ominous indeed at this stage and many in the large crowd doubted the ability of the Balally girls to rise again to the challenge before them. Scoil Áine dominated again from the restart but stout defending from Róisín McLoughlin, Hayleigh Gunning and Ellen Brien kept them at bay. They did manage to rattle the Olaf’s net after 5 minutes only to have the score disallowed for a square ball infringement. Katie Grimes then added a point for Olaf’s followed by a further point from Chloe McDonald before the stands erupted when Éilis Murphy crashed the ball to the roof of the Scoil Áine net after tremendous work by fellow full forward Aisling Murphy. This left just a single point between the sides with 3 minutes on the clock. Captain Jenny Moore was now at full back and delivered some fantastic long clearances to the forwards where Clara Sullivan and Kate Murray were a constant threat.

We can only wonder at what might have been as two last gasp efforts narrowly missed the target for Olaf’s and the final whistle was greeted with cheers of joy and relief from Scoil Áine players and supporters alike. Te Olaf’s girls were naturally disappointed to lose especially by such a narrow margin but they can be justifiably proud of their performances in both matches and indeed on their route to the final also.

More pics from the game can be seen in our Gallery Section

Team Photo: Back Lto R: Rebecca Morgan, Sadhbh Maher, Róisín McLoughlin, Hayleigh Gunning, Mairéad O'Shea Scanlan, Katie Grimes, Jenny Moore, Kate Murray, Neeama Keogh, Ellen Brien.

Front Lto R: Aisling Murphy, Aoife Maher, Rachel Mahon, Chloe McDonald, Éilis Murphy, Harriet Meagan, Niamh O'Shea Scanlan, Clara Sullivan.