It was a historic week for this young side as they ended up going from 25th seed to 4th seed.
Monday
North Tipperary 1
Roscommon District 2
A strong first half showing was enough to see the Westerners bring home their first three points of the tournament.
From the opening minutes of this game it was clear to see that this team we're going to cause problems. After a number of early chances the deadlock was finally broken when Dunmore’s Kayla Costello found herself in the right position to finish home. With the momentum firmly in their favour the side gained in confidence and doubled their lead just before the break whe Aoibhinn Gregg fired home.
Once the game resumed it was much the same as Roscommon produced some fine football with some of the younger members of the team showing maturity and skill well beyond their age. They couldn't maged to kill the tie with the elusive third goal. With ten minutes left in the half the gap was halved but didn't phase the girls and they held out to win.
Tuesday
Midlands 2
Roscommon District 1
In this local derby only a slotray goal was the difference as both sides battled for the higher position in the group.
As the first quarter concluded, heavy rain set in and conditions began to deteriorate. Despite this, the Midlands remained on the front foot, carving out more opportunities, though they couldn’t find the breakthrough before halftime.
That breakthrough finally came just four minutes into the second half when Laurie Finnegan struck from the edge of the box to give her side a deserved lead. However, momentum briefly shifted when Roscommon were awarded a penalty due to a hand ball from a free kick allowing them to level the tie—much to the confusion of the crowd. The Midlands responded with resilience, and with ten minutes remaining, they found the winner. Moya Kilmartin rose highest to meet a corner, heading home to seal a victory.
Roscommon District 5
Clare 0
A last minute goal from Kayal Costello eventually proved decisive as it would mean that her side would finish in second place on the group on goal difference.
This district side knew that they could lay down a marker in the final group game if they could better the Midlands result.
They started this tie off strongly and within ten minutes had taken the lead through Skyvalley’s Ava Hogan. As the opening quarter drew to a close the lead was doubled when Lauren Gunning found herself in space before finishing well. This is how the first half would finish as the third goal proved elusive.
After the interval the Connacht side pushed forward and youngster Hogan had doubled her tally for the day early in the half. Within five minutes of the final whistle the rising star had completed her hat trick. It looked like this would be it and the Midlands would finish on top but in the final play of the game Kayla Costello pushed forward and found herself in the perfect position to fire home and ensure second place for her side.
Thursday
After getting a bye in the qatar finals penalties were the difference between the Roscommon District side and the eventual winners of the tournament .
Roscommon District 1 Penalties (3)
Limerick District 1 Penalties (4)
It was the home side and the eventual winners who took early control in this tie with Roscmmon withstanding a number of efforts inside the opening couple of minutes. The deadlock was finally broken eleven minutes in. This didn't seem to phase the young Connacht side as they battled their way back into the tie ensuring that they would only go in at the break a goal behind.
With the momentum firmly in their favour Roscommon District pushed forward at every opportunity and eventually drew level with eighteen minutes left when Skyvalley star Ava Hogan swept home after a fine flowing move. This was to be the final goal of normal time as both defenses stood strong meaning the dreaded penalties were up next.
Roscommon District
1st Ava Hogan ( Miss)
2nd Kayla Farnham ( Scored)
3rd Lillian Fleming (Scored)
Kate Devaney (Scored)
5th Eve Lawrence (Miss)
Friday
Roscommon District 0
Cork 3
A spirited second half effort was enough as their Munster opponents ran out three goal winners in the end.
After a tough loss yesterday Cork gained an early foothold in this tie as they fired in a goal just on the quarter hour mark. This goal would have been worthy of winning any tie. On the cusp of half time the lead was doubled when a cross was deflected into their own net.
Even with this early setback the second half was a much tighter affair as Roscommon created a number of chances but unfortunately couldn't narrow the gap which would have made this Cork side nervus . In nearly the last attack of the game the tie was put to bed with another stunning strike from Cork.
After the final whistle we get the thoughts of manager David Brady. “ I am so proud of the girls. It's the best achievement ever by a Roscommon team male or female, ever in a national cup.”
Finally he praises the tournament by saying that “it’s an experience the girls will never forget along with creating history they have made friends and memories to last a lifetime.”
Roscommon District Squad: Ashliegh Connor Shiven Rovers, Lauren Gunning Castlerea Celtic, Kate Devaney Glen Celtic, E;;a Mae Hunt Ballaghadreen, Katie Dunleavy Castlerea Celtic, Eve Lawrence St John’s Athletic, Kaylan McHugh Ballaghadreen, Kayla Farnham Dunmore Town, Kayla Costello Dunmore Town, Lillian Fleming St Cuan’s United, Eloise McDonnell Ballaghadreen, Rebecca Greene Castlerea Celtic, Zoe Joyce Castlerea Celtic, Zoe Flynn Castlerea Celtic, Liadan O’ Toole Glen Celtic, Aoibhinn Cregg Skyvalley Rovers, Mya Stephens Kilkerrin United, Charlie Stephens Kilkerrin United, Ava Hogan Skyvalley Rovers, Leah O’ Beirne St John’s Athletic.
Manager: David Brady
Coaches Joe Devaney, Ava Hogan
Head of Development Paul Green
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