Carrick on Shannon Girls U.18 took on Buccaneers (Athlone/Ballinasloe) in the Connacht Division 2 League Final at Castlecara Road earlier this afternoon
This match was also the first Connacht final hosted by Carrick on Shannon RFC on a pitch that was in “fantastic condition”.
In atrocious weather conditions, both teams served up a highly entertaining, nip and tuck match with Carrick just about getting the better of the contest by 22 points to 17 when scoring the match winning try in the dying minutes of the game.
Buccaneers were by far the better team in the first half but great tackling and last minute defence by Carrick confined them to one try, scored by Orla Turner.
Minutes later though Carrick’s Hannah Gunn scored a try, converted by Julieanne Moore and against the run of play Carrick went in at half time leading by 7 points to 5.
Buccs were the next to score complements of Cora Heneghan, 10-7. Carrick responded next with another Gunn try, 12-10 to Carrick but Buccs then came roaring back with another Heneghan try, converted, 17-12 to Buccs.
Katie Sharkey then drew Carrick level before Aoife Gillard crossed for Carrick’s match winning try to leave the final score 22-17.
Both teams showed great spirit in these very testing and wet conditions and in the end it was a history making day for the wonderful Carrick girl’s team in collecting the very first Connacht girls.
