Meelick girls are narrowly out ‘Fort in final
Division 3 Cumann na mBunscol girls champions Roundfort NS with the trophy after their win against Meelick NS in the final at MacHale Park. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
Scoil Chomáin Naofa Roundfort made it two Division 3 titles in-a-row after a polished and powerful performance against a determined Meelick side. Coached by LGFA Hall of Famer Christina Heffernan, Roundfort showed composure, teamwork, and clinical finishing to retain their crown.
Meelick made the perfect start, with Maeve Ronane finding the net inside the opening minute, but Roundfort responded quickly through points from Leah Connelly and Edel Walsh. The pair were at the heart of Roundfort’s attacking play and combined effectively throughout the final.
In the ninth minute, Emma Roughneen grabbed Meelick’s second goal, capping off a sharp attacking move. However, Leah Connelly responded with style, sidestepping the goalkeeper to net her first goal of the afternoon. Katelyn Moore, lively throughout, tagged on a point before both teams exchanged goals before the break, Moore netting for Meelick and Connelly grabbing her second for Roundfort. A late point from Ruby Moran left Meelick ahead by a single score at half-time, 3-1 to 2-3.
Roundfort came out with real intent in the second-half. Ruby Moran hit the net after excellent interplay involving Edel Walsh and Leah Connelly. Moments later, Walsh produced a stunning point from a near-impossible angle near the end line. Meelick refused to fold, and Moore struck her second goal in the 19th minute to keep her side in contention.
But Roundfort pulled clear again. Connelly and Walsh each added points as their side’s forward momentum continued. Meelick kept battling, but Ronane’s point was their only return in the closing stages, as Moore was tightly marked and space became limited.
Edel Walsh, who put in a tireless shift, landed the final score of the game to cap off an excellent team display and secure another well-earned title for Scoil Chomáin Naofa.
