Athenry FC 0

Gurteen Celtic 2

By Mike Rafferty in Headford

Sometimes a game is just a step too far and so it proved for Athenry in the Women’s Connacht Cup final in Headford on Sunday. On occasions one comes up against a better side and this time around the Galway League outfit can have no complaints about the outcome of this provincial decider.

While the Sligo visitors might have created the greater opportunities, an impressive Athenry defence withstood huge pressure and it took two set-piece goals from Gurteen to secure victory, as Tara Phillips converted an opening-half penalty, before slotting home a free-kick on the resumption.

Athenry’s route to the final saw them defeat Yeats United, Ballaghaderreen, and Swinford, before beating Mervue United on penalties in the semi-final after their contest had finished level after extra time.

This final may have ended in defeat, but in recent weeks Athenry secured a hat-trick of Girls’ Connacht titles. The U-19 team defeated Boyle Celtic 4-3 in their provincial decider; the U-17 squad claimed Connacht honours with a 4-0 win over Mervue United; while the U-16 squad completed the impressive tally with a 3-2 win over Salthill Devon. It looks like the production line is already in place for the years ahead.

Meanwhile, Gurteen Celtic have moved their game up a few levels from last season, when they won the Connacht Shield with a 1-0 victory over Mervue United. Obviously, they carried a winning mentality into this contest because from the opening exchanges they were on the front foot, but for the majority of the game they found Athenry goalkeeper Ciara Cunney in outstanding form.

She made a series of smashing saves throughout the game, while her clearances, with both feet, from off the ground and from the hands, were top-class. Indeed, they were the launch pad for a lot of Athenry attacks, but unfortunately for them they came up against a Celtic defence who were unyielding as they cleared their lines with ease.

Cunney’s first major duty on 12 minutes was to deflect a Tara Phillips shot onto a post and then gather the rebound before the attacker could apply a close-range finish. The visitors were to make the breakthrough just minutes later, when Katie Walsh went on a mazy dribble in the box.

Pursued by a number of Athenry players, she got her heels clipped, with a penalty the outcome, Phillips stepped-up to drill a low effort into the bottom corner for a 1-0 advantage.

The Athenry midfield trio of Leah Crotty, Nina Bodamer, and Ruby Mullen worked hard to try and get some momentum for their side, but for the duration it was always an uphill battle.

A Ruby Mullen free-kick from outside the box offered an opportunity, but her effort was blocked in the box. A Kate Snowden run saw her break into the area, but her effort from a tight angle was saved. Bodamer was sent on the chase after a ball over the top, but visiting custodian Catherine Gallagher advanced to gather.

While most of the momentum was with the visitors, the home back four of Niamh Snowden, Ruth Tansey, Nicole Madden, and Shauna Donoghue continued to clear their lines, despite the impressive trio of Tara Phillips, Katie Walsh and Megan McCormack continuing to put them under pressure.

A good defensive block by Crotty prevented Martha Carter adding a second for the visitors, while an impressive advancement from her goal by Cunney thwarted Katie Walsh just before the break.

Despite facing the elements in the second-half, it was Athenry who started the better side as they forced the pace in the early exchanges. Substitute Jane Trehy and Kate Snowden delivered crosses into the box, but Gallagher cut out the danger on both occasions, and the custodian was to make a later save to deny Trehy at the expense of a fruitless corner.

With sisters Sarah Gallagher and Mathona Conheady outstanding at the heart of the visitors’ defense, Athenry were finding chances hard to come by, but in a half in which they did not threaten a lot it was Gurteen who killed off the game with a second goal on 65 minutes.

Again, Phillips proved to be the set-piece specialist with a free-kick from outside the box to make it 2-0 and in the process kill-off any hopes of an Athenry comeback.

Athenry: Cunney, Donoghue, Madden, N Snowden (Hansberry 77), Tansey (Murray 63), Crotty, Farrelly (Fahey71), Mullen (Carney 88), Bodamer (Trehy h-t), K Snowden, Ailbhe Whyte.

Gurteen: C Gallagher, Mulligan (O’Toole 90), G Phillips (O’Riordan 90), S Gallagher, Conheady, McGovern, T Philips, McGowan, Carter (Brett 90), McCormack, Walsh.

Referee: Philip O’Brien Gleeson.

■ Congratulations to all involved at Moyne Villa FC, whose attention to detail and presentation of their grounds for the Connacht Cup double header on Sunday was a credit to everyone at the club.

Pictured: The Athenry FC team which was defeated by Gurteen Celtic in the Connacht Final in Headford. Back row, from left: Shavia Donoghue, Nicole Madden, Ailbhe Whyte, Ruby Mullen, Nina Bodamer, and Ciara Cunney. Front: Kate Snowden, Ella Farrelly, Ruth Tansey, Leah Crotty (captain), and Niamh Snowden. Photos: Iain McDonald.