Knockncarra FC claim Women's O35 league title in style
Side make history by claiming first title for the club at adult women’s level.
Monday evening saw Knocknacarra FC and Colemanstown United meet in the final of the Over 35s Galway Women’s League, and it was the city side that was celebrating at full time in Ballinasloe, as goals from Rachael Stuart, Susie Cunningham, and Marie Clifford saw them clinch the title with a 3-1 win.
The many fixtures between these two sides over the past two seasons has encouraged a fierce but friendly rivalry to build, one that is intense and highly competitive but laced with mutual respect throughout.
Both teams battled hard in the early stages, with Knocknacarra edging the quality in attacking chances. Cunningham and Stuart both went close in the opening quarter, with the Colemanstown goalkeeper pulling off a number of high-class saves to preserve the stalemate.
The breakthrough for Knocknacarra came on the 24th minute, when a Karen Lilly free-kick wide on the left-hand side found Stuart in the box, and the experienced striker made no mistake with the finish.
She had a chance to double the lead just a minute later, when a probing long ball from goalkeeper Katrina Connolly found Lilly, whose cross struck the outreached arm of a Colemanstown defender.
Stuart stepped up to the spot, but the Colemanstown keeper produced an outstanding save to keep the scoreline 1-0.
Knocknacarra had a number of chances to extend their lead before the break, however they were unable to capitalise, and the teams went in at half-time with Knocknacarra enjoying a slender lead.
Their pressure finally paid off in the 54th minute, when they were awarded a second penalty after the referee deemed a shot from Evelyn Coffey to have been handled.
Cunningham took the responsibility this time, and the former Republic of Ireland international made no mistake from the spot to double the Knocknacarra lead.
Colemanstown pressed hard to regain a foothold in the game, pushing extra bodies into the middle in an attempt to force the tie. They created a number of very good chances, leaving the Knocknacarra defence scrambling clearances, and the unrelenting pressure paid off four minute from time, when a corner was sent high in to the Knocknacarra box and weas forced home by a Colemanstown player, reducing the deficit to the minimum.
However, just three minutes later, a fabulous Evelyn Coffey corner was met by Clifford at the near post to restore Knocknacarra's two-goal cushion and given them some breathing room in the final minutes.
Knocknacarra saw out the remainder of the game, with great defensive displays put in by Linda McDonnell, Karla Deegan, Laura Kavanagh, Melissa Fleming, Michelle Kearney, and Gillian Joyce ensuring Knocknacarra’s rearguard would not be breached for a second time.
In the middle, Coffey, Rebecca Canavan, Bernie O’Connor, Roisin Aspell, and Clifford battled well to control the game, allowing the city side to see out the game as Knocknacarra completed the season with a perfect record of nine wins from nine, scoring 35 goals in the process as they claimed a first title for the club at adult women’s level.