30 May 2007 Soccer: Late strike ruins All-Ireland dream for St Mary’s By: Loraine Morley in Willow Park, Athlone WESTERN PEOPLE FAIS U-14 Ladies All-Ireland Final St Flannan’s College, Ennis 1 St Mary’s Convent, Ballina 0 WITH the sun beating down and an energetic crowd of supporters from both sides gathered on the sideline, the mood was all set for a memorable FAIS U-14 Ladies All-Ireland Final. The dream of bringing an All-Ireland title back to Ballina was a very strong one for the St Mary’s players but a goal three minutes from the end consigned them to heartbreaking defeat as the sun beat down on Willow Park. Both teams had proved hungry for the title, with neither giving the other space to breathe. Possession was shared equally and the tackling up and down the pitch swung back and forth like a pendulum. Laura Daire proved she was on top form for St Mary’s with an early run at the goal but her powerful shot skimmed over the crossbar. Carol Hegarty also showed great skill while working the ball up the sideline to pose a huge threat for the Ennis side. St Flannan’s hit back with Ann Waters spear-heading the attack. However, Laura Daire was on hand to dispossess the Ennis ace and Ballina breathed a sigh of relief to see the ball cleared away from their goalmouth. Emma Casey, for Flannan’s, came off injured in the 21st minute after which a chance arose for Ballina’s Laura Daire only for the ball to again fly north of the keepers head. Minutes later Ciara Hanahoe saved Ballina when thwarting the attacking efforts of St Flannan’s Aishling D’Arcy who looked dangerous. With constant threats form both sides, the goalkeepers had to play to the best of their ability to safeguard their nets effectively. Chloe Reape saved Ballina from what would have been a disastrous end to the first half when Katie Cahill tore up the pitch towards the St Mary’s goalmouth, but her shot failed to find the net and both teams were gridlocked heading into the dressing rooms in Athlone at half time. From the first kick of the second half St Mary’s found themselves on the defensive with St Flannan’s proving they were willing to fight for this All-Ireland title, showering the Ballina side with a parade of attacks. Danger loomed as St Flannan’s Katie Cahill went to strike, again, missing the target but only by the slimmest of margins to make it a lucky escape for Ballina. This marked the beginning of the end for St. Mary’s as they just seemed to be running out of steam while St Flannan’s were playing like they had tapped into their emergency fuel tank. St Mary’s held off the Ennis sides constant spate of attacks until, Katie Cahill achieved what she had been trying to do all day, by rattling the back of the Ballina net with what was to be the only goal of the game. As Ballina quickly realised there were only a mere three minutes left to play they tried to win back possession but their attempts were in vain as St. Flannan’s Ann Waters had everything under control as she made sure the ball was kept away from her goalmouth until the whistle blew. And when it did it was met with absolute heartbreak for St Mary’s, as the Ballina girls wiped their tears away there was still a look of determination about the team and this is certainly only the beginning of the adventures that lie in store for this young, talented soccer squad. ST FLANNAN’S: Sarah O’Keefe, Ann Waters, Siabh Corbett, Laurie Ryan, Rebecca Calligan, Emma Casey, Aishling Mullen, Christine Glynn, Aishling D’Arcy, Catolina Parga, Katie Cahill. Subs: Jane O’Flanagan, Sinead Tevlin, Rachel Mulchaire, Erica Browne. ST MARY’S: Chloe Reape, Rebecca Casey, Ciara Hanahoe, Laura Reilly, Fiona Melvin, Laura Daire, Marie Hegarty, Clodagh Melvin, Emily Walsh, and Georgina Ryder. Subs: Emma Campbell, Aoife Walshe, Tara Breslin, Niamh Brogan and Laura Cuffe. REFEREE: Willie Browne, Athlone.