St. John’s Athletic girls savour ‘seismic’ Connacht title

The St. John’s Athletic U-12 girls’ soccer team created history, becoming the first team from the club to win a Connacht title recently.

The team claimed the Connacht Cup when they defeated Galway’s Corrib Celtic 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 0-0.

The side — coached by Gary Sturgeon, Dermot Donnelly and Peter O’Driscoll — beat Longford’s Newtown FC in the opening round before overcoming five Galway teams to claim glory.

They defeated Oughterard AFC, Renmore AFC, Maree-Oranmore and Knocknacarra FC before getting the better of Corrib Celtic in the final.

It is a huge achievement as girls’ football was only restarted in the club in late 2021. In light of this triumph, the club is grateful to everybody who helped kickstart girls’ football within the club alongside the FAI’s Adrian Carberry who helped the Lecarrow-based outfit find their feet.

Reflecting on the success, Gary Sturgeon described it as “seismic” in terms of the club’s 40-year history.

“It’s the biggest thing the club have achieved in our 40 year history, and it is the biggest thing the girls have done.

“It has been great to get a bit of exposure for girls’ football in Roscommon. There are a few people driving it on from the Roscommon and District and Youth Schoolboys/girls League, so it is massive. The celebrations on the day were unforgettable,” the coach stated.

The Connacht Cup final was a tense affair. Both sides were organised defensively, even though Mia O'Neill for Corrib and St. John’s’ Lisa Quinn caused some headaches in their respective sides’ attacks.

As the first half progressed, Bronagh Naughton’s dangerous deliveries caused problems while Corrib’s Alice McLucas produced a key block to deny McNaughton. St. John’s goalkeeper Lavinia Lucius also made two excellent saves from Corrib corners to keep the score level.

St. John’s main threats in the second half came from the wings. Laura Donohoe and Sibéal Ní Mhainnin worked tirelessly up and down the pitch.

Corrib forced a corner with two minutes to go, which briefly caused some panic but ended up with a shot narrowly wide. The match finished with a St. John's corner, and another brilliant delivery from Bronagh Naughton, but Ní Mhainnin just couldn’t direct it on goal.

The game went straight to penalties with Corrib moving 1-0 in front. However, Lisa Quinn stepped up and rifled an absolute cracker to level the shootout. Lavinia Lucius made a great save to give Emily Donnelly the chance to put St. John’s ahead, which she did by finding the top corner from 12 yards out.

Corrib put another penalty wide. It was subsequently up to Roisín Sturgeon to seal the historic win. She stepped up confidently — with most of Lecarrow watching either from the sidelines or online — and rifled her shot into the top of the net to spark amazing scenes.

The club wishes to thank Warm N’Cosy Homes and Tom Crean and Sons for sponsoring t-shirts and half zip tops for the team alongside the Roscommon District and Youth and Schoolboys/girls League’s Paul Green, Pauric Clarke and Tom Keaveney for their support.

ST. JOHN’S ATHLETIC: Bronagh Naughton (captain), Emma Donoghue, Emily Donnelly, Emma Leonard, Laura Donohoe, Sibéal Ní Mhainnin, Grace Keaveney, Eimear Ní Chasaide, Ciara Keogh, Lola Auchmuty, Lisa Quinn, Lavinia Lucius, Aoibheann O'Driscoll, Violet Wright Looby, Mia Connaughton, Ailish Boyle, Róisín Sturgeon, Katie Naughton, Rachel Gately, Lauren Forde, Rosie Murray.