Vhi Healthcare Senior Club Final

Donaghmoyne 1-11 Carnacon 0-13

Monaghan champions Donaghmoyne put their All Ireland
heartbreak behind then to finally land an All ireland title at the
fourth attempt when they had a single point to spare against Carnacon
in the Vhi Healthcare Senior club final at Dromard, Co Longford.

Previous final defeats at Junior, Intermediate and just twelve
months ago at Senior were firmly put behind them. With the wind
at their backs Donaghmoyne opened up a 1-8 to 0-4 interval lead
thanks to the scoring powers of birthday girl Catriona McConnell.
The 17 year old turned in a master class performance as the game
became a battle between both full forwards as Cora Staunton was
also in top form at the other end.

McConnell hit 1-9 in total with 1-7 coming in a blistering opening
period.

Her seven first half points all from free’s each as spectacular
as the other in far from ideal conditions with a strong wind. The
all important goal arrived five minutes from the break when she
was put clear by a great pass from Cora Courtney. The finish was
from the top drawer as she let fly from about 20 yards giving Caroline
Brennan no chance in the carnacon goal.

At the other end Cora Staunton had hit three converted free’s while
team captain Martha Carter hit their only score from play in the
opening period.

The second half was to see Carnacon and Staunton claw back the
lead.

Staunton showed she could follow suit with what player of the match
McConnell had produced in the opening period with some wonderful
scores from both play and free’s. The county star hit seven second
half points in total and the sides were on level terms with nine
minutes remaining on the clock. The eventual winners were to suffer
a major blow at this stage with their captain Fiona Courtney been
sent to the sin bin.

However this young Donaghmoyne side were not to suffer heartbreak
again and dug deep to produce an all important winner. Amanda Casey
was to be the hero as she turned to strike a beauty between the
posts with seven minutes remaining. Carnacon had chances to draw
level but two Staunton efforts were wide of the mark the title was
deservedly heading to Monaghan and

Donaghmoyne.

Scorers:

Donaghmoyne: C McConnell 1-9; E Murtagh 0-1; A Casey 0-1 Carnacon:
C Staunton 0-10; M Cartha 0-2, M Staunton 0-1