Feena fires Burrishoole to league title
Clodagh McManamon, pictured, led Burrishoole to the PJ Loftus Memorial League title last weekend.
The name Feena McManamon was the toast of Newport on Sunday as her late goal snatched victory for the Burrishoole senior ladies in this compelling contest against rivals Knockmore. With just three minutes remaining, the sides were deadlocked and extra-time was a real possibility. However, the courage and sheer heroism of this Burrishoole team was noble in the extreme and a tremendous move that began in their half by captain Ciara McManamon, was ended with a brilliantly taken strike to the back of the net by Feena and Knockmore couldn’t find a way back.
The North Mayo side did respond with a late point from Shauna Howley to narrow the gap to two and were rewarded a last kick of the game free from just outside the large rectangle, but it was asking a lot as Burrishoole lined their goalmouth and Lara Sweeney’s effort didn’t materialise into anything.
Conditions were ideal for football with relatively calm surroundings at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence and it was Knockmore who struck early with a point by Clodagh Keane to go into the lead, but just six minutes had elapsed when Burrishoole hit home their first goal – a soccer-style effort to the net by Leona Ryder from the edge of the square. And it was no more than her side deserved as for the opening 20 minutes, Burrishoole were by far the better team. Led by Clodagh McManamon at centre field, along with Feena McManamon, Rachel Baynes and especially Leona Ryder, the West Mayo outfit were winning some of the major battles and all the pressure was on Anne Murphy’s Knockmore goalmouth.
Burrishoole’s dominance resulted in a further 1-1 within quick succession, the point from play by Hannah Sheehy and their second goal coming from the boot of Clodagh McManamon who got on the end of an excellent move of fast, effective play involving Baynes and Ann Sheridan. Two further frees before the break from Leona Ryder and Feena McManamon left their side with a 2-4 to 0-7 lead, but there was still 30 minutes to play.
Knockmore’s Amy O’Connor was on form and she kicked three points from play along with efforts from Cliochna Flynn and a free each by Lara Sweeney and Shauna Howley. And whatever Cormac Reape and his management team said to the players at half-time, it worked, as once the second-half resumed, Knockmore were to the forefront and kicked four of the opening five points. Suddenly, we were all square.
Two frees by the always reliable Shauna Howley along with a point by Sarah Mulvihill from play and a Lara Sweeney free, tied the sides on 2-5 to 0-11 approaching the final quarter. Burrishoole did retake the lead briefly when Feena McManamon got her second point of the day from play but Amy O’Connor, who finished with four points to her name, quickly drew level again.
Knockmore then took the lead for the first time since the opening minute with a free by Shauna Howley. Her side looked destined to hit the back of the net following a goalmouth scramble when three different players shot directly, but somehow all three were kept out with Burrishoole goalie Lauren McLoughlin providing a terrific block for the first. And how their efforts were rewarded.
Moments later Hannah Sheehy, with her third point in total, drew the sides level 2-7 to 0-13 and that was how is stayed until Feena McManamon finished to the net for Burrishoole. The winners were reduced to 14 players late on as Ann Sheridan picked up a yellow card but it didn’t impact the outcome and Burrishoole had come and triumphed with captain Ciara McManamon receiving the PJ Loftus Memorial Trophy to loud cheers.
