Our U16 Boys finished their Season in some style this week, when they won both the semi-final and final of their U16 B1Championship.   The Semi-Final was played on the Monday and the lads had a comprehensive win over neighbours St Johns and this set up a final meeting with Tourlestrane on Sunday in Scarden.   The two teams were well known to each other with Tourlestrane taking care of the St Marys challenge with ease in the league earlier on in the season and then St Marys fighting for championship survival pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat by the narrowest of margins in a hard fought victory in Kent Park on a wet and windy August evening.  This final was set up for a thriller with two hard working sporting teams taking to the field.   Tourlestrane got off to a blistering start and scored a goal and a point before St Marys responded.   However St Marys hard work in defence thwarted the Tourlestrane attack and with great attacking play the St Marys marksmen began picking off points.   Then 15 minutes into the half a great passing move involving four of St Marys five forwards proved a critical turning point when the ball ended in the back of the net. St Marys added a few more points to be seven ahead at the break.

The second half started as expected Tourlestrane pressed hard and got an early goal, however it was quickly cancelled out again by a swift passing move from defence into the St Marys forward line who were working well creating space and finishing most opportunities. A passing move which saw a third goal for St Marys from the tightest of angles paved the way for a victory for the hard working St Marys team. The game finished St Marys 5-13 Tourlestrane 4-3.  St Marys Team : Jack Teape, Donal Keavney, Daragh Cawley (Capt), Liam O Kelly-Lynch, Darragh Feehily, Tom Gavin, Micheal Morgan, Shane Muldowney, Micheal Munnelly, Hubert Gilvarry, Jay Cox, Patrick Maher, Eamonn Flynn, Aidan Campbell, Daire Cawley, Fergal O Kelly Lynch, Anthony Fidgeon, Marc O Heir, Paul Gallagher, Paul Murray, Finn Young, Anthony Maher, Jimmy Monaghan, Sean Gilvarry.

The strength of underage ladies football in Sligo was showcased in last Sunday’s U16 A Championship final.   St Marys met long term rivals Tourlestrane and the teams produced another epic.   In tense early stages, both teams battled to get an advantage and eventually our girls built a lead.   Our fluid full forward line of the Monaghan sisters (Ruth and Helen) together with Sarah Gillen was dominant and at the other end of the pitch our backs were coping with the threat posed from Tourlestrane.   We turned with an 8 point advantage, but as everyone associated with ladies football knows momentum can shift and leads disappear.    Tourlestrane were a different proposition after the break and our lead all but disappeared in the first minute of the second half when Tourlestrane scored 2 quick goals.    More scores followed and things looked bleak midway through the half.   However it is easy to underestimate the spirit in this St Marys team and they regathered themselves and went at Tourlestrane with every ounce of energy they had.  

What seemed impossible suddenly looked likely, and a brave goal from Ruth Monaghan typified the teams approach.   Sadly time was our biggest enemy and the final whistle came too quickly with the Marys girls preparing to launch yet another attack that would have surely levelled the match.   The final scoreline of this breathtaking encounter was 8-10 to 7-10, and congratulations to all involved.   St Marys management team was Ultan Smith, Orla Keavney and Sinead Corcoran, and our girls squad comprised Amy Hopkins, Lisa Jane Cawley, Eden Rooney, Lisa Kelly, Ellen Bastible, Roisin Martin, Chloe McGowan, Roisin McIntyre, Ailbhe Morgan, Emma Corcoran, Ciara Gilroy, Aoife Smith, Sarah Gillen, Ruth Monaghan, Helen Monaghan, Casey Cox, Erin Breheny, Dervla Keavney,  Teresa McDonagh, Rachel Cawley and Diana McDonagh.

Good luck to our Intermediate Ladies team managed by Shane Breheny who take on Western Gaels the Roscommon champions  in the Connaught Semi-Final next Sunday.   Please support the girls who are always tremendous representatives for St Marys.