Connacht LGFA Junior Semi Final (CT)

Northern Harps 4-14

Swinford/ Killasser 5-10

Eoin Horkan 

Elphin 

A last-minute free from Lauren Shannagher proved the decisive moment in a pulsating semi-final on Saturday afternoon, as the home side edged a classic encounter that had everything — goals, drama, and heart-stopping finishes.

From the opening whistle, the hosts made their intentions clear. Shauna McGrath stormed forward to register the game’s first point, only for Amy Dunleavy to reply almost instantly for the visitors with a fine effort from play. After the home side spurned two early goal chances, the home side  soon made a devastating burst. Ciara Cunningham and  Lauren Shannagher both found the back of the net inside three minutes to give their side a firm foothold.

The purple patch continued as Leah Casey and McGrath stretched the advantage before the quarter-hour mark. Just when Swinford  looked to be on the ropes, Sarah Rowley dragged them back into contention — first with a tidy point, and moments later with a composed finish to the far corner of the net.

The closing ten minutes of the half were end-to-end, with both sides trading scores in a breathless spell. Cunningham, Shannagher, and Casey all raised white flags, only for Caitlin Henry to respond with a goal and a point to keep her team within touching distance. In the final stages before the break, McGrath hit a brace and Cunningham added another, seemingly sending the home side into half-time in control. But the visitors had other ideas — a late penalty, confidently converted by Melissa Dunleavy, cut the deficit to just three at the interval.

The second half began with a dream start for Swinford. Ella Gallagher struck the opening point, before Roscommon native Regina Mullaney turned the game on its head with a goal and two points to put her side in front for the first time.

At the opposite end, McGrath continued to torment the defence, splitting the posts again to narrow the gap to two. By the midway point of the half, the contest was level once more, thanks to superb efforts from Shannagher and Casey.

Playing into the wind seemed to suit both sides as the tempo only increased. Rhona Brennan was electric throughout, her surging runs wreaking havoc in the Harps’ backline. One of those charges led to a stunning goal that reignited the visiting  support. Dunleavy and Mullaney added further points, and with ten minutes to play, the Mayo outfit appeared to be pulling clear.

However, the hosts refused to yield. Cunningham once again stepped up, raising her second green flag of the day to bring the margin back to the minimum. The experienced Mullaney responded with two crucial points for the red and black, and when Henry added another late score, it looked as though Swinford had done enough to see it out.

But in keeping with the tone of this titanic battle, there was one final twist. Substitute Grace Cullen struck for the home side’s fourth goal of the game to narrow the gap to one , sending the crowd into raptures. Moments later, Shannagher, who had been outstanding throughout, levelled from play before holding her nerve to split the posts from a free with the final kick of the game.

As the ball sailed between the uprights, the final whistle sounded — sparking scenes of jubilation from the home support after a gripping contest that will live long in the memory.

Northern Harps;Anna Carty;Sarah Gunn,Rachel Gormley,Kellie Hunt;Sinead Keavney,Anna McGrath,Grace Finnerty;Shauna McGrath(0-5 1f),Leah Casey(0-3);Louise Enright, Lauren Shannagher(1-4),Orlaith Callaghan;Hannah Gunn, Ciara Cunningham(2-2),Freya Finnerty.

Subs Used:Rachel Bolger for Kellie Hunt, Aoibhinn Gilligan for Hannah Gunn, Grace Cullen(1-0) for Freya Finnerty.

Swinford/Killasser:Aoife Groake;Amy Dunleavy(0-1),Orla Mullaney,Laura McLoughlin;Emily Rowley,Aisling Hyland, Melissa Devaney(1-1 pen);Ella Gallagher(0-1),Anna Tierney;Niamh Casey,Caitlin Henry(1-2 1f),Rhona Brennan(1-0);Sarah Rowley(1-1),Hazel Lavin,Regina Mullaney(1-4).

Subs Used:Claudine Brennan for Hazel Lavin,Caoimhe Dunne for Sarah Rowley.

Referee :Colm Conway.