The curtain has come down for our Senior Team on this year with the heartbreak of Championship defeat at semi-final stage.   It was a particularly difficult loss as it was by the slimmest margin on a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-09 and we had looked comfortable when our lead stretched in the second half to 5 points.    After a sluggish start to the game, we got the benefit of a fortuitous goal from Kyle Cawley that brought us into the game.   The break worked to the Marys lads benefit and we looked a different side when we came out of the dressing room in the second half, taking control and building what appeared an unassailable lead which would bring us to a fourth consecutive Championship final. However, Eastern Harps had other thoughts and used all their experience to keep chipping away at our lead.   Then when the match was back in the balance in the final moments of the game, Harps got the decisive goal.   Although the Marys lads created some subsequent chances, we could not convert a levelling score.  We wish Eastern Harps all the best for the final.

The U14 girls team also suffered defeat when they lost their A Championship final to Calry.   It was always going to be a big ask for the St Marys girls as this Calry team has dominated the County from the first day of the season and swept aside all opposition with ease apart from our match with them in August when we got the upperhand.   The early stages of the final were even and we were on terms with a goal and a point from Lisa Kelly.   However Calry increased the pace of their game and pinned us into defence.   Heroic defending led by Eden Rooney and brave goalkeeping from Laoise Treanor were critical to keeping the scoreline to 6 points at half time.   The Marys girls reorganised knowing they needed better balance and had to get the scoreboard moving.   It was not to be and Calry’s neat passing game engineered a couple of quick goals which we were not going to recover from.   Fair play to our girls who kept playing to the final whistle, and creating chances, which eventually led to a penalty impressively despatched to the top corner by Aine Gorman.   Congratulations to Calry players and their management team led by Caroline Oates.   We look forward to future matches, when our girls will look to get the result.   Thanks to the St Marys management team of Colin Ledwith, Siobhan Mulholland and Anna Gorman and congratulations on a hugely impressive season that saw our girls develop their game, reach both finals and bodes so well for next season.   The St Marys squad was captained by Helen Monaghan and comprised Laoise Treanor, Megan Kilcawley, Eden Rooney, Diana Mc Donagh, Rachel Cawley, Sorcha Gorman, Allie O’Shea, Kayla Breheny, Casey Cox, Aine Gorman, Helen Monaghan, Emma Ledwith, Allanah Conlon, Cianna Ruddy, Hannah Burrows, Lisa Kelly, Grace Mulholland, Kate Gavin, Tara Keaveny, Tara Una McGarry, Aine O’Connor, Roseanne Kelly and Aifric Sherlock.   Many of the girls will be involved next Sunday at 4.30 when the U16’s take on Tourlestrane in the A Championship final – venue Coolooney and all support is welcome

Last weekend was the final Saturday morning coaching session of the year and everyone who participated can take a well deserved bow.   This year has been particularly good with tremendous numbers of players, coaches and volunteers, carrying out the very necessary tasks led by coordinator Enda Brady, and without which the coaching could not happen.   There was a traditional end of season party last Saturday to formally close the coaching and fun was had by all.

St Marys offer our deepest sympathies to the Cawley family in Rathedmond on the untimely death of Noreen and may she rest in peace.