Harps inflict late heartache on Swinford/Killasser

Connacht LGFA Junior Championship – semi-final 

Northern Harps 4-14 

Swinford/Killasser 5-10 

Eoin Horkan in Elphin 

A late free from the nerveless Lauren Shannagher sealed the fate of Swinford/Killasser on Saturday, as they exited the Connacht junior championship in cruel fashion. Shannagher’s strike saw Roscommon’s Northern Harps edge out the Mayo champions in a pulsating contest that will live long in the memory.

In a game that swung one way and then the other, it was Shannagher’s composure in the dying moments that ultimately separated two fiercely committed sides after an hour of high-quality, end-to-end football.

The home side were first out of the traps, with Shauna McGrath pointing inside the opening minute. Swinford’s Amy Dunleavy hit back almost immediately but Harps soon took control with a devastating spell in front of goal. Ciara Cunningham and Lauren Shannagher both found the net inside three minutes to put their side firmly in command.

Leah Casey and McGrath added further scores to extend the lead before the quarter-hour mark, and the home crowd were in full voice. But Swinford/Killasser responded superbly, with Sarah Rowley leading the fightback. She clipped over a neat point before finishing calmly to the net to drag her team back into contention.

The closing stages of the half were breathless. Cunningham, Shannagher and Casey all raised white flags only for Caitlin Henry to keep Swinford/Killasser in touch with a goal and a point. McGrath struck twice more late in the half and Cunningham added another, seemingly putting the Harps in a strong position heading for the break. But the final act of the opening period belonged to Swinford/Killasser, as Melissa Dunleavy coolly converted a penalty to leave just three points between the teams at half-time, 2-9 to 3-3.

Swinford/Killaser came out flying after the restart. Ella Gallagher pointed within seconds before Roscommon native Regina Mullaney struck 1–2 to turn the game completely on its head and give the visitors the lead for the first time.

McGrath again led the Harps’ response, splitting the posts to narrow the deficit, and midway through the half, points from Shannagher and Casey had the sides deadlocked once more.

Both sides continued to attack with pace and purpose. Rhona Brennan’s driving runs from deep caused huge problems for the Swinford/Killasser defence, and it was fitting that one of those runs ended with a superb goal to reignite the home challenge.

However, Swinford showed their resilience once again. Dunleavy and Mullaney struck a pair of fine points to edge the Mayo side ahead with ten minutes to play, and when Henry added another, they looked set for victory.

But the Harps refused to yield. Cunningham raised her second green flag of the day to cut the margin back to one, though Mullaney — outstanding throughout for the visitors — pushed Swinford/Killasser two clear with two crucial points in the closing minutes.

When Henry added what looked to be the insurance score, Swinford appeared to have one foot in the final. Yet this extraordinary semi-final had one last twist. Substitute Grace Cullen struck for the Harps’ fourth goal of the game to set up a frantic finish, before Shannagher — who had been immense all afternoon — levelled matters from play.

Then, deep into injury time, the forward held her nerve to convert a free from distance, sparking jubilant scenes among the home supporters as the referee sounded the final whistle.

It was a finish befitting a classic contest, with both sides leaving everything on the field. For the Harps, Shannagher’s late strike ensured their place in the decider, while Swinford/Killasser were left to reflect on what might have been after a valiant effort.

Scorers – Northern Harps: Ciara Cunningham 2-2, Lauren Shannagher 1-4, Shauna McGrath 0-5 (1f), Grace Cullen 1-0, Leah Casey 0-3.

Swinford/Killasser: Regina Mullaney 1-4, Caitlin Henry 1-2 (0-1f), Melissa Devaney (1-0pen) and Sarah Rowley 1-1 each, Rhona Brennan 1-0, Amy Dunleavy and Ella Gallagher 0-1 each.

Northern Harps; Anna Carty; Sarah Gunn, Rachel Gormley, Kellie Hunt; Sinead Keavney, Anna McGrath, Grace Finnerty; Shauna McGrath, Leah Casey; Louise Enright, Lauren Shannagher, Orlaith Callaghan; Hannah Gunn, Ciara Cunningham, Freya Finnerty. Subs: Rachel Bolger (for Hunt), Aoibhinn Gilligan (for H Gunn), Grace Cullen (for F Finnerty).

Swinford/Killasser: Aoife Groarke; Amy Dunleavy, Orla Mullaney, Laura McLoughlin; Emily Rowley, Aisling Hyland, Melissa Devaney; Ella Gallagher, Anna Tierney; Niamh Casey, Caitlin Henry, Rhona Brennan; Sarah Rowley, Hazel Lavin, Regina Mullaney. Subs: Claudine Brennan (for Lavin), Caoimhe Dunne (for Rowley).

Referee :Colm Conway.