Agha' wait no More for first county title
Mayo LGFA vice-chairman Michael McHale presents the Junior A Cup to Mairead Mooney, Aghamore captain, as they defeated St Brigid's in the Junior 'A' Final in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar. Picture: Michael Donnelly
It was a historic night in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park last Friday as the ladies from Aghamore won a first ever county title after overcoming St Brigid’s.
Both these teams have experienced the pain of losing finals in recent years. Aghamore were beaten by Ballyhaunis in the 2022 junior ‘A’ final and St Brigid’s were outclassed by Claremorris last year, while the east Mayo side were also beaten by Claremorris last year in the semi-final.
The hurt would certainly end for one of them and as the final whistle sounded, the emotion was evident for the Aghamore ladies. After some early final jitters – falling five points behind after 13 minutes - the nerves settled and from one to 15 they put on a performance which fitted the occasion, playing some sparkling football.
Back-to-back final defeats will be difficult for St Brigid’s to take, but they can hold their heads high. They started the game brilliantly but once the Aghamore machine was in full flow, they could never gain control of proceedings again.
It did not look that way early on given the electric start by the north Mayo side, an amalgamation of Ballycastle, Killala, Kilfian, Lacken and Moygownagh. From the throw-in by referee Rory Courell, they played keep ball for 90 seconds before a strike from distance by Anna McDonnell ended up in the top corner of Caragh Burke’s net.
The major did not do Aghamore nerves any favours but they defended resolutely for the remainder of the opening the quarter. They kept St Brigid’s to two points, which came in the ninth minute from a Alva Munnelly free and one from play by Leah Maheady four minutes later.
As the end of the first quarter approached, everything appeared to be going smoothly for St Brigid’s. But once Mayo panelist Saoirse Delaney, a late change to the Aghamore starting team, opened up her sides account with an excellent score from play, the dynamics of this final changed and they began playing the football their supporters have become accustomed to.
A minute into the second quarter, Saoirse Delaney repeated the trick with another fine score from play. After Leah Maheady and Aoife Lally traded points, the latter would land Aghamore’s first major of the game on 19 minutes to draw her side level. Four minutes later, Aghamore would hit the back of the net again. A great move down the field was finished by Siobhan Mooney’s piledriver that left Aine Gough with no chance.
It was all Aghamore at this stage and were playing all the intricate football but they failed to transfer their dominance to further scores, with an exchange of points by Saoirse Delaney once again and St Brigid’s Ava McDonnell seeing Aghamore lead 2-4 to 1-4 at half-time.
Niamh Mooney would extended Aghamore’s lead further a minute into the second half with a great point, which was met with a fine response by St Brigid’s half-time substitute Ella Maheady.
That would be St Brigid’s final score of the game, however. They continued to thrown bodies forward but were met by a stern Aghamore defence.
The red and white would see the game out from here and controlled matters expertly. Substitute Louise Cassidy sent over two points while Saoirse Delaney and Niamh Mooney would also keep the scoreboard ticking over the second half as Aghamore claimed a historic title and a place in the intermediate ranks for 2025. Right now, they will turn attention to their upcoming Connacht semi-final at home against Sligo champions Coolera/Strandhill this Saturday at 1pm.
