EAST CORK U-12D CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Cloyne 4-04 St Colman’s 2-05

There was great excitement on Sunday evening when Cloyne defeated neighbours St Colman’s in Shanagarry in the East Cork U-12D Championship Final.

A large crowd witnessed a thrilling game of football unfold as two good sides battled it out for the cup.

St. Colman’s opened the scoring after Cloyne were guilty of some missed opportunities in front of goal but Cloyne eventually settled and finished the first half leading 1-03 to 0-03 thanks to a goal by Fay Cahill and not forgetting a sweet point from a tight angle by Roisin Gilroy.

St Colman’s again opened the scoring in the second half and put them ahead by a point with 1-01 before Cloyne struck for their second goal to lead by 2. Once again though St Colman’s hit back with their second goal to lead once more by a single point. Both sides traded points before Cloyne were awarded a penalty. Ellie Coady showed extreme coolness as she stepped up and duly slotted home to give Cloyne back the lead. It was nervous times for the travelling team as St Colman’s launched attack after attack on the Cloyne goal but they stood firm to the challenge.

Two points is a dodgy lead to have in any game as a goal could swing the balance the other way in a flash so when Cloyne were awarded a free in front of goal with minutes remaining there was a sigh of relief. At least with a point they felt the worst that could happen was it ending in a draw. But Fay Cahill had other ideas and took the entire crowd by surprise when she hammered the ball through a packed St Colman’s goalmouth and buried the ball in the net to send the supporters wild.

This proved to be the last score and scenes of jubilation ensued at the final whistle. Great credit to St Colman’s who never gave up and battled hard in what was a great spectacle for all to see. In the end they were unlucky not to snatch victory but as Cloyne Captain Ellen O’Neill lifted the cup the day belonged to the club just formed in 2010. Congratulations to the Team, Manager Karen Ahern and all involved in the Cloyne Ladies Football Club

Cloyne Team