This piece was written by Pádraig Mac Cathail, the coach of the Gort na Móna U14 girls team.
Photographs: Ciaran O’Brolchain
Gort na Móna under 14 footballers made their way into the GAA history books by winning the club’s first All Ireland football title. The young Gorts boarded the bus on Friday morning full of hope that they could give a good account of themselves in the national Féile. After stopping at Glencar and Claremorris, the Gort girls were given a great Galway greeting by their host club Tuam-Cortoon before taking to the field.
In the opening game against Mountbellew-Moylough of Galway, the Gort girls started very strongly with Caoimhe Delaney scoring two points from right half back to settle the nerves. This early scoring was to continue with Shona Mc Nally taking a lovely score to set the Gort girls on their way. Moylough with a large Galway support rallied hard to get back into the game but the Gort defence of Rhianna Morton, Aoibh Bradley, Jessica Davis, Leah Reilly and Seána Bradley ensured that the Gorts would get off to a winning start.
The next game against Dunnamaggin, a Kilkenny amalgamated team was to be a sterner test. Andie Kearney Rules in goals for Gort na Móna was outstanding in the first five minutes as the Kilkenny team took advantage of the strong breeze. Gort struggled to get on the ball and ironically it was the baby of the team Seána Bradley who showed great composure in setting up Abby Slane to rattle the Dunnamaggin goal. This, followed by some great scoring from Caragh Nolan and Grace Conway, ensured that the Gorts would take a second victory.
The last group game was contested against the host club Tuam-Cortoon to gain top spot in the group. Gort na Móna with Casey Meighan in centre half forward and Duailtín Nic Cathail in wing half back dominated the game from start to finish. After winning the group Gort na Móna set up a quarter final against Padraig Pearses of Roscommon. Chloe Lennon and Leah Bunting gave a masterclass in defence as the Padraig Pearse forwards were denied space and possession. Gort, playing their fourth game in two days, showed no signs of fatigue and set up a mouth-watering semi-final against Dr Crokes of Kerry on Sunday morning.
The game against Dr Crokes was the best game of the competition with Dr Crokes sailing to a 0-2 to 0-0 lead after two minutes. Gort na Móna however refused to lie down and Jeyda Rooney aided and supported by Tiernagh Elley drove the Gort na Móna to a half time lead of 1-7 to 0-2. The second half saw Dr Crokes score an unanswered 1-3 which left the game at 1-7 to 1-5 with two minutes to go. Dr Crokes’ hearts however were broken as the Gort back six refused to surrender leaving Gort na Móna as victors.
Gort na Móna after an exhausting encounter with Dr Crokes found themselves in a final with Roscommon champions Clann na nGael. The twin towers of Gabriel Monaghan and Orlaigh Lennon – who personified tenacity, bravery and courage the entire tournament – drove Gort na Móna on. They covered every blade of grass, inspiring those around them to fight for every ball. Christine Lynch steadied the ship with a beautiful 25 metre point after winning a loose ball. Then it was Mia Mills who rocketed Gort na Móna to a 1-1 lead with a moment of individual brilliance.
Clann na nGael fought back and scored a point before the break. At half time the score was 1-1 to 0-1 and with ten minutes to go Clann na nGael scored another leaving the Gort team and supporters begging for the final whistle. The Gort girls held their nerve and died on every ball to leave them All Ireland Féile Champions in 2019.
After Gabrielle Monaghan and Orlaigh Lennon’s victory speech and the team celebrations on the pitch the Gort girls said farewell to their host club Tuam-Cortoon and made the journey back up the N17 with pride in their hearts and tears in their supporters’ eyes. The pride they felt was to be magnified when the Upper Springfield community met them at Gort na Móna. The girls vacated the bus to be given an Uachtar Chluanaí céad mile fáilte ar ais with some older members of the Gort community celebrating into the wee hours.
Gort na Móna girls would like to thank all our sponsors , the wider west Belfast community and Mc Cusker demolition in particular for supporting them in making this journey possible. Go raibh maith agaibh!
