Annaghdown ladies footballers crowned All-Ireland champions

Annaghdown 1-13

Shane O’Neill’s 3-5

THE final hooter was drowned out by the outpouring of joy that greeted Annaghdown ladies at Parnell Park last Sunday as they were crowned All-Ireland intermediate football champions for the first time.

Rachel King’s goal on 44 minutes finally sent the Galway champions to the front in a pulsating tie that had the big travelling support breathing every kick of the ball after they overturned a five-point deficit to successfully push to the finish line.

This felt like an All-Ireland Final; this felt like the culmination of a long journey;p this felt like the reward for the hard graft. And the club were determined not to miss out as the sizeable showing of maroon and white flags waving in the Main Stand in Donneycarney indicated that nobody was left at home. Indeed, was one not aware, this felt like the county team were in town for an important championship match.

And this was an important championship match. Annaghdown had been showing progress for numerous years but were hindered by heart-breaking defeats. A first foray into Connacht 10 years previously was stopped by Sligo’s Geevagh in the provincial decider; Dublin’s Thomas Davis denied them in the 2012 junior semi-final; and attempts to get out of Galway fell at the final hurdle to Clonbur (2014) and Glenamaddy/Williamstown last year.

Many of the current squad are only beginning their quests for more success; teenagers growing into accomplished performers. But for Niamh Duggan and Fiona Wynne, two stalwarts in Galway’s only All-Ireland victory 12 years ago, this felt like the sweetest day of all.

Annaghdown started on a mission with two scores in the opening three minutes. Duggan orchestrated proceedings from the middle, providing assists to make it 0-2 to 0-0. Grainne Barrett and Rachel King have been carving out a solid reputation in 2016 and both found the target.

However, Shane O’Neill’s had their own lethal tormentor in Armagh’s’ 2015 All-Star Aimee Mackin and she played a major part. An early free reduced arrears but when Ellen Hannaway set up Blaithin Mackin for the delivery in the seventh minute, the midfielder’s sister was ready to strike a bullet to the top corner for the game’s opening goal.

Trailing 1-1 to 0-2, Annaghdown didn’t panic and replied immediately with a Nicola Burke point before King equalised to restore parity on ten minutes. However, this wasn’t going to be made easy and Shane O’Neill’s started to take control and will reflect on 14 costly wides. But the momentum was with the Armagh champions in the second 15 minutes as they pulled five clear. Aimee Mackin was on target again to make it 1-2 to 0-4 and while the contest went 2 minutes without a flag, it sparked back into life on 23 minutes.

Jemma Burke’s free in defence was dangerously sent cross field and Aimee Mackin reacted quickly to intercept before finishing to the net. And five minutes later, corner back Kirsty Murphy had a golden opportunity but she kicked over the bar to leave it 2-3 to 0-4.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune