6 days ago
Kerry Cumann na mBunscol: Gneeveguilla NS win 4/5 teacher title for the first time
Gneeveguilla NS 5-5
Coolard NS 1-6
History was made at Austin Stack Park as Gneeveguilla NS were crowned 4/5 Teacher county champions for the first time.
The game got off to a lively start with Coolard's Síun Kennelly opening the scoring with a composed point. Gneeveguilla replied immediately as Amelia Fleming finished confidently to the net. Another Kennelly free reduced the gap, but Gneeveguilla were quick to respond, with Sinéad Hurley firing home their second goal.
Coolard kept pressing and were rewarded with a fine point from Orla O'Rahilly. However, Gneeveguilla began to pull away when midfielder Aisling Fenton struck for her side's third goal, followed by a point from Hurley to stretch the lead. A free from Kennelly and a long-range point from Orla Lyons kept them within reach.
Gneeveguilla's response was swift Aisling Fenton added a free, and Sinéad Hurley split the posts with a superb long-range point to give her side a commanding 3-4 to 0-5 lead at half-time.
Orla Lyons got Coolard off the mark in the second half with a point that briefly raised hopes. But Sinéad Hurley soon dashed any hope of a comeback, netting her second goal with a blistering run through the defence. Coolard battled on, and a sweeping move upfield ended with Sophie O'Flaherty finding the net.
Gneeveguilla weren't done yet. Ava Knee capped off a brilliant team move with a fifth goal, putting the result beyond doubt. Sinéad Hurley then put the icing on the cake with a stunning point off the outside of her boot, rounding off a Player of the Match performance.
As the final whistle blew, Gneeveguilla's supporters celebrated a historic victory, one that emptied the village as the community turned out in full force to witness the occasion. This was a performance built on teamwork, skill, and no shortage of talent.
Though defeated, Coolard NS can hold their heads high after a valiant effort. Remarkably, it was their second county final appearance in just a matter of weeks, having also reached the Girls' Mini 7s decider, where they narrowly lost out to Rathmore NS.
GNEEVEGUILLA NS: Mia Horgan, Cara Mcllroy, Olivia O'Connor, Jessica Lynch, Sinéad Hurley, Aisling Fenton, Máiréad O'Leary, Amelia Fleming, Ava Knee. Subs: Makayla O'Leary, Megan Looney
COOLARD NS: Emer O'Sullivan, Matilda O'Donnell, Olivia Kissane, Sarah Walsh, Sophie O'Flaherty, Orla Lyons, Siún Kennelly, Orla O'Rahilly, Mollie O'Connor. Subs: Olivia Rulak, Róisín Dalton, Abbie Walsh.
