Glenamaddy CS lose title but gain respect in tough contest

Coláiste Íosagáin 2-7

Glenamaddy CS  0-4

John Mulligan in Mullingar

In the end it was brave but unsuccessful as defending champions Glenamaddy Community School had to give second best to a very well organised Coláiste Íosagáin from Stillorgan in their All-Ireland Senior A Post Primary semi-final played on the 3G pitch at St Lomans in Mullingar.

This was a game where the backs on both sides come in for special mention. Glenamaddy defended like troopers in the first half and were unfortunate to concede two goals that would ultimately decide the game in the Stillorgan school’s favour.

While the game itself will not feature in any all-time list of greats, the large crowd were treated to an entertaining game that was well handled by referee Brendan Rice from Down.

Glenamaddy set out their stall early and attacked from the beginning, putting Iosagain under pressure from the start. However, they could only manage a single point, a free from Rebecca Kelly, for all their efforts and this would come to cost them in the end as their opponent’s outstanding half-back line took control, cutting out any through ball over the hour.

With the pressure handled, Coláiste Íosagáin set to work and had four points scored in the space of 10 minutes. Michelle Ni Chiardha pointed to level matters moments after Niamh Ni Shiochain’s effort came off the crossbar and this started their scoring run with Laura Ni Chathain, Grace Ni She and the outstanding Billy Kate Huggard all finding their range while backed by the strong breeze.

Despite being behind, Glenamaddy fought valiantly. Amy Mee was unfortunate not to goal when denied by a last gasp block; while Ailish Morrissey, Hannah Noone and Caoimhe Boyle all had efforts fall either side of the posts. At the other end, Leanne Davis and Niamh Ní Shiochain were having an outstanding battle of wits with Davis getting the upper hand on more than one occasion in the first half.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.