Aisling Kavanagh
AN EARLY evening throw-in under the floodlights of the Clydebank Community Sports Hub was the setting for this year’s Northern Intermediate Championship Final and come the end of the night it was a Scottish side celebrating.
In a repeat of last year’s final, Dunedin Connollys set out to retain their title and bring the trophy back across the M8 to Edinburgh.
Connollys started the game strongly racking up a goal and a point within the first three minutes. Claragh Connor at full forward causing John Michels’ full-back line all kinds of trouble.
Mitchels knew they were in a game and were shaken by the early Connollys scores but they eventually settled though and their forwards put some scored on the boards. However, a strong defensive display from the Edinburgh side meant that Mitchels never had the opportunity to get the ball to their big hitters.
Midway through the first-half, Connollys started to pull away from their opponents with contributions from Karen Feeney on frees and Connor with a goal and a point.
The scoreboard read 4-5 to 2-3 at half-time in Connollys favour. Mitchels managed to score two goals in the last ten minutes of the half to close the gap to eight points.
Mitchels started the second-half strongly and applied a high press resulting in an early point. Indeed for the next 10 minutes, Mitchels certainly had plenty of possession, but Connollys continued to defend with discipline and patience and rode out the pressure. Mitchels hit two wides in that period and never really capitalised on their possessional play.
Connollys continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with contributions from Aisling Clancy (0-01) and Sue O’Sullivan (2-02). Connor added to her first-half total with two more goals—one, a net buster where the keeper had no chance.
When the full-time whistle blew it was Connollys who were victorious, 7-7 to 3-9 meaning that trophy will be staying in Scotland for another year.
Both teams now progress to the All-Britain semi-finals on November 2.
Comments