Roscommon Gaels made history on Saturday last at Dr. Hyde Park as their U-16 Ladies team captured the 2022 league and championship titles following a nail-biting one-point win (2-7 to 0-12) against a gallant St. Barry’s side.
The Gaels led 2-4 to 0-6 at the end of a first half which featured two fine team goals from Molly Rose Finneran and Grace Geraghty.
Both teams played impressive football in the second period and exchanged scores early on with Cara Cox on target for Barry’s and Shauna Walsh responding with a point from distance for the Gaels.
Barry’s gained a foothold as the half wore on and three points in succession reduced the arrears to just one point. Gaels’ goalkeeper Jane King was then called into action after Barry’s were awarded a penalty and an opportunity to take the lead. King pulled off a superb save to keep her side’s lead intact.
Barry’s did level matters in the last five minutes but Alannah Sutton stormed forward to put the Town side back in front with a smart point before Siofra Hession extended the Gaels’ lead on the stroke of full-time. There was still time for Barry’s to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum late on, but the Gaels hung on to emerge victorious.
There were emotional scenes at the final whistle as the Roscommon town side clinched their first ever U-16 Division One title.
The team was captained by Emma O’Farrell under the management team of Decie Walsh (manager), and selectors Andy Hession, Teresa Hession, Ray McSharry and Elizabeth Sweeney-McSharry.
