Slattery's late, late score secures provincial crown
Brian Queeney's gritty Na Fianna team claim Leinster title
Na Fianna....2-8
Shelmalier....1-10
Na Fianna's remarkable journey continues. Today at the South East Technalogical Sports Centre in Carlow the club claimed the Leinster LGFA Leinster IFC title.
They defeated Wexford side Shelmailer in an engrossing encounter.
It was a victory earned the hard way with captain Aedin Slattery showing leadership and a steely nerve to step forward and fire over what proved to be the winning point in the final embers of normal time.
There was four minutes of injury time played subsequently and they proved to be nerve-shredding indeed for the supporters of both teams who filled the stand at the college's fine facilities.
In those final, tension-filled minutes it was largely a case of the Shels attacking with Na Fianna showing the confidence, composure and experience to withstand the late onslaught and secure the win. A lot of qualities are needed to win a championship title and knowing how to retain a narrow lead is one of them.
It was Na Fianna's first Leinster crown at this level and now the club's camogie players can follow suit next weekend and also claim a provincial title.
About 10 of the players who are likely to start in the camogie final played in this encounter as the club continues to chase a unique double.
The foundations for today's victory were laid at the start of each half when Na Fianna scored goals that were to prove crucial. So crucial. After just five minutes of play Emma Regan claimed possession and passed to Kerry Cole. She embarked on a surging, powerful run. Cole cut a swathe through the Shelmalier defence with her jet-heeled run before firing to the net.
Three subsequent points from Cole, added to another from Maire Kirby, helped Na Fianna go 1-4 to 0-1 in front. Yet Shelmalier are a team blessed with a pacy, skilful attack and they came bounding back to lead 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval, their goal scored by Ailis Neville from the penalty spot on 15 minutes after a foul. It was a textbook spot-kick.
Then about 50 seconds into the second-half Na Fianna bagged another goal - and badly needed it was too. This time Cole (who ended up player of the match) and Leah Devine were involved in working the ball to Sophia Payne out on the right. She drove the ball towards the Shelmalier posts. Instead of going over the ball dropped under the bar.
Shelmalier, who were the better side much of the second act, hit back to go 1-10 to 2-4 up with 42 minutes played. It looked at that stage like they were going to win. Yet this Na Fianna team simply don't know when they are beaten.
They found an extra dive and energy and were rewarded with three successive points from the Leah Devine, who calmly converted two far from easy frees. She also cooly added another from play to level matters with 48 minutes on the clock.
Then with normal time almost up Na Fianna attacked one more time. Regan, Emer Fagan and Sophia Payne were involved in the move that ended with Slattery, who was subbed earlier in the game but came back on, firing over from an awkward angle and under severe pressure.
The final minutes were frantic and nervy but Na Fianna heroically held out to claim a famous victory.
Na Fianna had heroes all over the pitch with Cole with right up there while full-back Claire Coffey made some vital interventions. Goalkeeper Caroline Gallagher executed a number of top-notch saves, especially in the opening half.
This is was team effort if there ever was one. An example of a bunch of players who refused to be bowed down and accept defeat when (as it did for a spell in the second-half) a defeat looked like it would be their fate.
The win is a tremendous tribute too to Na Fianna manager Brian Queeney and his support team of Sinead Duignan, Marie Healy-Cole, John Ennis, Conor McMahon, Michael Keogh, Mick Kane.
They too can take a bow. The story goes on.
"There's a great vibe in the team, we just keep going," said captain Slattery after all the action was over.
SCORERS
Na Fianna - Kerry Cole 1-3; Leah Devine 0-3 two frees; Sophie Payne 1-0; Maire Kirby 0-1; Aedin Slattery 0-1.
Shelmalier - Ailis Neville 1-2 one penalty, two frees; Shauna Murphy 0-3; Clara Donnelly 0-2; Deirdre McMahon 0-2.
TEAMS
Na Fianna - Caroline Gallagher; Aedin Slattery, Claire Coffey, Hazel Geraghty; Aileen Flynn, Emma Regan, Sophia Payne; Emer Fagan, Rebecca O'Keeffe; Deirdre Flynn, Meabh Downey, Kerrie Cole; Maire Kirby, Shauna Ennis, Leah Devine. Subs - Katie Queeney for Slattery half-time, Slattery for O'Keeffe 50m, Ellen O'Hara for Kirby 54 mins.
Shelmalier - Sadbh McCarthy; Aobhe Manley, Sarah Harding Kenny, Clare Neville; Eleanor Neville, Roisin Murphy, Beth Malone; Shauna Murphy, Kellie Kearney; Siobhan Cloake, Ciara Donnelly, Ciara Donohoe; Deirdre McMahon, Aine Lacey, Ailis Neville. Subs - Deirdre Byrne for Cloake half-time, Niamh Hearne for Donohoe 56m.
Referee - Paul McCaugney (Westmeath).
* PHOTOGRAPHS FROM GAMES AND FURTHER ANALYSIS IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONCLE