The busy end of season for St Mary’s teams had 2 further instalments of finals at the weekend when the Senior Men met Tourlestrane in the League Final and the Ladies played Curry in the 11aside All-Clubs league.   Both proved successful and it has been a further reason to celebrate a fantastic season for the Club.

The men were first up on Saturday and in conditions more suited to the start of the league, our Seniors took to the pitch in Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry to contest the Furey's Division 1 league final against the 2013 winners Tourlestrane.    With both teams trying to end their season with some silverware, this was always going to be a tough game, and so it proved. Tourlestrane got on the boards early and were to hold on to the lead right up to the final minutes.   In a tightly contested match, points were traded, ensuring no side were able to pull away.   Players from both sides gave their all and in a highly competitive game played in difficult conditions, no quarter was given and scores were hard earned with little between the teams.   Tourlestrane stubbornly held on to the lead throughout the game, and it took a supreme effort on our lads part to keep pace and eventually a well worked St Mary's move brought the sides level and resulted in a drawn game.   The sides opted for extra time, and so the game continued for another 20 minutes. St Mary's took the early initiative and drove into a four point lead as the second period of extra time commenced. However Tourlestrane were not finished and won a penalty which was dispatched to the net, leaving a single point between the teams once more.   This proved a spur to the Marys players who knuckled down for the final 5 minutes and emphatically closed out the game by adding two more points to run out eventual winners on a scoreline of 0-13 to 1-08.   In doing so, the team bridged a gap of twenty six years since the Division 1 cup returned to Kent Park.  Superb performance by all concerned and a fitting end to a long season.   Well done to the players and the management team and thanks to everyone for the great support over the season.

Our other finalists were the Ladies side led by Aoife Boyle whose commitment throughout the year has given tremendous example to her teammates.   The 11 aside league is a unique competition to the Ladies game, and is open to all clubs within the County without grading.   Games are played on a full length pitch, which leads to high scoring games.   Our section in the league was very competitive, including the likes of Eoghan Rua, St Nathys and Owenmore Gaels.  We ended runners-up in our section due to a narrow defeat to St Nathys, and this qualified us for the plate final against Curry.   The final was played last Sunday in very difficult and slippery conditions due to heavy rain.   Both sides struggled to find their best football in the first half and we edged the game at the break by 2 points.   The match continued to be close in the second period with every ball closely contested and the nature of the game leading to end to end play.   Curry proved worthy opponents and never gave up.   Our girls, particularly Amy Gerrity and Laura Ann Laffey were determined to end their season with silverware and responded brilliantly to every challenge from Curry.   In particular each time Curry looked to have grabbed the initiative with a score, our girls immediately hit back to defend their lead and at fulltime there were happy scenes as an exhausted St Marys side celebrated their 6-07 to 4-06 win.   Congratulations to all involved whether playing, mentoring or supporting and the manner of victory in such a close fought contest was particularly satisfying and impressive.