Convent bridge 16-year gap to be crowned Connacht A schools' football champions
Kaitlin Egan, Shauna Walsh and Hazel Kelly celebrate the Convent of Mercy's historic provincial senior schools' football success against St. Attracta's at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome on Thursday.
The Convent of Mercy, Roscommon Town, are Connacht Post Primary Schools’ Senior A champions for the first time since 2009 following a pulsating one-point victory against St. Attracta’s Community School at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome on Thursday.
David O’Reilly’s side, who were All-Ireland B champions in 2023 and lost out narrowly to Sacred Heart Westport in last year’s Connacht A final, held their nerve in a welter of excitement to be crowned winners on a scoreline of 2-13 to 1-15.
Emma Feeney’s fourth minute goal was an early tonic. But Amy McCarthy responded with a goal for the Sligo school in the 24th minute.
However, barely a minute later, Isobel Kenny confidently found the net for the Convent from the penalty spot to hand them a 2-7 to 1-7 lead at the break, despite kicking 11 first-half wides.
With Ellen Giblin impressing for St. Attracta’s, the Sligo-based school were always a huge threat in the second half.
Convent goalkeeper, Kiera Kilkenny, produced a stellar performance in the second half, producing a couple of excellent saves, including keeping out a penalty from Amy McCarthy.
St. Attracta’s edged a point ahead at the three-quarter stage but crucial scores from Siofra Hession and Sarah Jane O’Connor saw the Convent record a famous victory and become the best team in Connacht at A level for the first time in 16 years.
Convent of Mercy panel: Emma Hough, Shauna Walsh, Grace Geraghty, Alannah Sutton, Kate Harlow, Amy Winston, Eve McNeill, Siofra Hession, Grace Campbell, Aoife Connolly, Sarah Reilly (all Roscommon Gaels); Aisling Shanagher, Carla Griffin, Clodagh Murray, Aoibhinn Neary, Laura McSharry, Ivannah Looby, Clara Tully (Kilbride); Anna Hussey, Hazel Kelly (Oran); Kaitlin Egan, Lily Murray, Mia White, Maria Tiernan, Sarah Jane O'Connor (all St. Dominic’s); Kiera Kilkenny, Orlaith Keegan (St. Croan’s); Grainne Foley, Isobel Kenny (Castlerea St. Kevin’s); Alanna McCormack (St. Ciaran’s); Maria Bolger (Four Roads); Emma Feeney (Rathcline).
