Late heartbreak for Manulla in Connacht Cup final
Manulla's Amy Cunningham breaks forward with two Corrib Celtic players in pursuit. Picture: Conor McKeown
A brave Manulla suffered their third Connacht Cup final loss in a row as Corrib Celtic snatched a dramatic late winner on 88 minutes courtesy of a sublime long-range finish from Rachel Barrett.
Having tasted provincial glory in 2015, Manulla were hoping to once again be crowned champions of Connacht and make up for recent disappoints in provincial finals. The windy conditions at Umbro Park on Sunday certainly weren’t conducive to free-flowing and attacking football, but Manulla did manage to craft the first noteworthy effort of the day on 16 minutes, however, Niamh Flannery’s effort was thwarted by Amy Hopkins.
The game was beginning to come to life and Corrib pinched the lead on 18 minutes. A wicked left-wing cross from the busy Joy Erugo saw the under-pressure Lisa Nally spill possession thus allowing Ciara Fahy the chance to stab the ball home.
To her credit, Nally bounced back from this set-back and played a starring role for her team-mates during the second half with a string of fine saves during that period keeping her team-mates in the game.
Having conceded the opening goal, Manulla regrouped and they very nearly salvaged the leveller on 22 minutes. An inch-perfect corner-kick from Tracey Hall found the dynamic Lauren McLellan with the latter most unlucky to see her close-range header flash narrowly over the crossbar.
Manulla, who lost their previous two Connacht Cup finals - which included last year’s final at the hands of Maree/Oranmore, were eager to forge a way back into the tie, but the Corrib Celtic back-four led by the impressive Theresa Keane were alert to any potential danger.
Eventually, Manulla’s persistence paid dividends on 26 minutes. A delightful through ball from Stacey Freyne released the scampering Tracey Hall and she ghosted past the Corrib defence before guiding home a tidy finish beyond the reach of Hopkins.
Just when it appeared that things were looking up for the Mayo side, the Manulla game plan suffered a major set-back when their midfield playmaker Aoife Freyne was forced off through injury on 44 minutes.
Whatever was said in the Corrib Celtic dressing room at half-time had the desired effect, as the they bossed large chunks of the second half, dynamic midfielder Rachel King orchestrating proceedings in the midfield engine room.
Corrib’s Rachel Barrett had an early second half chance deflected inches wide, and from the subsequent corner taken by Evelyn Coffey – Joy Erugo was most unlucky to see her header sail inches over the crossbar.
Manulla were then left ruing their luck on 53 minutes when a gilt-edged chance fell to Tara Ryan but under-pressure, the energetic winger saw her close-range strike fizz over the crossbar.
At the other end, both Barrett and Rachel King came very close to plundering the lead for their Corrib team-mates, with their respective efforts on 55 and 59 minutes forcing two excellent saves from Lisa Nally.
The Carramore outfit were under the cosh, however, Oliver King’s charges defended heroically, with Nally and her back-four stifling their opponents attacking forays.
Manulla could well have taken the lead on 79 minutes, when a brilliant counteroffensive move saw Tara Ryan win possession and dart towards goal, however, her goal-bound effort was brilliantly saved by the advancing Hopkins.
With just two minutes of normal time remaining, extra-time and possibly a penalty shoot-out seemed on the horizon. However, possession fell to Corrib Celtic’s Rachel Barrett and her audacious long-range effort from close on 50 yards, was destined for the top-corner of the net.
Erugo could well have netted the insurance strike for the Annaghdown outfit, but she was most unlucky to see her daisy-cutter hit the side-netting.
In the end, Corrib Celtic were the better team and the full-time whistle signalled joyous scenes for their players, management, and supporters.
For Manulla, it is a case of back to the drawing board as their brave quest for a coveted Connacht title once again ended in heartache.
However, such is the wealth of talent in their side; the heroic Carramore outfit will bounce back from this set-back and will continue to be very competitive in their quest for provincial silverware.
