Nobody said it was going to be easy! Erin’s Isle on a Tuesday evening is a tough place to win in any circumstance. To travel there with a League Title at stake without seven regulars makes it a daunting task indeed.
But the Cuala crew stepped up with Asia, Daria, Laragh and Christine stepping up the divisions and Muireann, Sofie and Eabha joining from the Minors.
Tara Leahy made her debut as a goal-keeper and won the Oscar for best performance!
It didn’t start well though. Traffic snarled up on the M50 meant the late arrival of 3 car-loads.
A goal and two points in quick succession from the Isle’s girls had the travelling Cuala supporters worried.
Muireann, Maedbh and Jen in the full-back line were far to busy. Muireann was sweeping across the defence and clearing long balls into mid-field. Tara was immaculate in goals, but the pressure was now sustained.
Balls were raining in on the defence from the diamond outfield. The Cuala girls were second to the ball all over the pitch, and losing the breaks. It was lucky Rob wasn’t there to count the turnovers!
Ciara O’Connor decided that something needed to be done. She took on the mantle of leader and took the game by the scruff of the neck.
She was outstanding. Sarah, Claire and Orlaith followed her lead and began to assert themselves around the middle.
On the inside line, Maedbh and Laragh who had been starved of ball, began to see more action.
Eabha and Saoirse at wing-forward began to fight for everything.
Hannah, Asia and Sofie in the half-back line started to get on top, and the game was beginning to turn.
A long range goal and a few wonderful long-range frees from Ciara brought down the curtain on the first half on a scoreline of 1:2 to 1:4.
Cuala could breathe again, down by two. The “hairdryers” were out at half-time, players were in no doubt what was expected of them in the second half!
They roared out of the traps after the break.
Daria, Susie-lee and Christine were sprung from the bench.
Claire Harrison took the ball at the throw in and launched the ball into the full-forwards. Point.
Sarah Dunne decided it was time to win the game on her own and rampaged forward every chance she could get.
On 45 minutes she took her goal to turn the tide in Cuala’s favour.
Orlaith O’Sullivan, Daria ad Eabha would not allow any ball to be lost and began delivering into the hungry inside forward line.
Daria was like a terrier and would not concede anything to the Isles girls, winning ball after ball and passing off to the shooters.
But Erin’s Isle just wouldn’t lie down. They obviously hadn’t read the script.
Their no. 11 charged through the Cuala defence and danced through tackles before she was in open country 12 metres out. A green flag was beckoning when, out of nowhere, Tara Leahy came off her line to block her shot.
Palpitations on the sideline with 8 minutes to go – what a save!
Fintan had Cuala one point up with 5 minutes on the clock.
Every time a ball was hit goalward, defibrillators and heart-monitors were being distributed by Siobhan on the line!
But they say goals win matches. Up stepped Maedhb Ni Finneadh with a well worked effort followed almost immediately by an absolute cracker from, player-of-the-match, Ciara O’Connor.
Final score 4:6 to 1:7. Cuala move up to Junior 1 and take the league title.
A great campaign and well done throughout to Seonín, Sunni, Caitlin, Lucy, Maedbh, Sarah, Meabh, Caoimhe and Rob who were sidelined by the rearranged date for this game.
Onwards to Championship.
