Dowling deals a double blow to Sarsfields
Carnacon’s Amy Dowling and Charlestown's Ella Brennan follow the flight of the ball.
Carnacon opened their senior championship campaign with a hard-fought win over Charlestown Sarsfields in miserable conditions at Fr O’Hara Park on Sunday morning, thanks in the main to a pair of goals by Louise Dowling. Heavy rain and a swirling breeze made handling and scoring difficult for both sides, but the 20-time county champions showed all their experience, determination, and composure to secure the points.
The weather set the tone even before the throw-in. Referee Gerry Carmody was preparing to start the match when a torrential downpour arrived, and with a strong wind blowing into the town-end goals, every score would have to be earned the hard way. Carnacon settled first, making the most of their early possession. After just three minutes, full-forward Erina Flannery slotted over the opening point, and a Doireann Hughes free doubled their lead by the ten minute mark.
Despite dominating possession in the opening quarter, it took Carnacon some time to add further scores. Charlestown responded in the 18th minute through forward Chelsea Doherty, who raised their first point. Amy Dowling then restored the visitors’ two-point advantage almost immediately, but that would prove to be Carnacon’s last score of the half, leaving Charlestown an opportunity to fight back.
The Sarsfields then enjoyed their best spell. Leah O’Grady cut the deficit to a single point with a neat score from play before Doherty went close to a goal only to be denied by a brilliant save from Carnacon goalkeeper Lisa Nally. Nicole McLoughlin reacted quickest to the loose ball, slotting over to level the match. Deep into injury time, McLoughlin was fouled and calmly converted the resulting free, sending Charlestown into the break 0-4 to 0-3 in front – a deserved reward for their determination with the elements behind them.
Any hopes of a home upset were short-lived. Carnacon began the second-half with a blistering start. Within the first minute, Louise Dowling struck for a goal and just 30 seconds later Hannah Prendergast added a point, turning a one-point deficit into a three-point lead. With the wind now at their backs, the visitors suddenly looked in control, and Charlestown struggled to make the most of their possession despite continued effort.
Charlestown kept pressing, and McLoughlin landed another free midway through the second-half to narrow the gap. However, Amy Dowling responded almost immediately to restore Carnacon’s three-point cushion. Both sides battled hard as the rain poured down and the wind howled, with defences largely on top and scoring chances at a premium.
Charlestown’s Ella Brennan clipped over a late point that hinted at a possible grandstand finish, but Carnacon delivered the decisive blow in injury time. Substitute Leanne Durkan had only just entered the field when she delivered a precise pass to Louise Dowling, who calmly slotted home for her and Carnacon’s second goal, sealing the victory and confirming the visitors’ dominance in crucial moments.
For Danny O’Toole’s side, it was a professional performance: they absorbed pressure, adapted to the conditions and were clinical when opportunities arose. Charlestown will rue missed chances in the first-half but their work-rate, resilience and fight throughout the match were encouraging and will give them confidence for the rounds ahead.
Next weekend sees, Charlestown away to Castlebar Mitchels and Carnacon set for a home clash with defending champions Westport.
Scorers – Carnacon: Louise Dowling 2-0, Amy Dowling 0-2, Doireann Hughes, Erina Flannery and Hannah Prendergast 0-1 each.
Charlestown: Nicole McLoughlin 0-3 (2f), Chelsea Doherty, Leah O’Grady and Ella Brennan 0-1 each.
Charlestown: Heather Johnson; Marypeig Horkan, Caoimhe Halligan, Kiera Durkin; Mia Durkin, Ella Brennan, Abby Conway; Cailín Durkan, Katie Gavin; Leasha McHale, Nicole McLoughlin, Kellee Crean; Shona Mahon, Chelsea Doherty, Leah O’Grady. Subs: Laoise Harkin (for O’Grady), Ava Casey (for McHale).
Carnacon: Lisa Nally; Karen Cosgrave, Anna Heaney, Melissa McGing; Ciara Cosgrove, Michelle McGing, Shauna Heneghan; Fiona McHale, Hannah Prendergast; Doireann Hughes, Amy Dowling, Briana Bruton; Niamh Flannery, Erina Flannery, Louise Dowling. Subs: Ellen Joyce (for Bruton), Leanne Durkin (for E Flannery), Maria Keane (for Melissa McGing).
REF: Ger Carmody (Ballaghaderreen)
