Castleknock’s ladies completed an amazing 4 days of football when they beat Skerries Harps 3-9 to 1-11 to win the League and complete the double after beating O’Tooles in the cup on Sunday. The game was played under floodlights at St Margaret’s in front of a large crowd with favourable weather conditions.

This game had it all; debatable decisions for and against each team, exceptional scores, a defence as resolute as Donegal’s, a forward line as lethal as Dublin’s and fantastic individual and team performances.

Skerries had star player Lindsey Davey back after her exploits with the senior county team and would have fancied themselves to win this game. Castleknock’s ladies had different ideas and have a never say die attitude throughout the team.

While Castleknock were the better team in the first half there was always a danger of Skerries penetrating the Castleknock defence with their stylish attacking play. Castleknock were leading 7pts to 3pts with scores from Debra Geraghty, Megan Morrissey and Laura Carolan with less than a minute to go before the break before the inevitable happened. A loose defensive ball broke to Lindsey Davey who ran on and unleashed an unstoppable shot to the net. That would prove to be the spurt that Skerries required.

Skerries started the second half with all guns blazing, they were relentless, with Davey knocking over 5 long distance unanswered pts to lead by 4pts. This was an 8 point turn around in the space of 11 minutes of play and Castleknock looked in serious trouble. Skerries penned them back in their own half and won every breaking ball. It brought back memories of the all-Ireland semi between Dublin and Donegal when Dublin were scoring from distance but couldn’t get that elusive goal.

At times like this your star players rise to the occasion, and in this case there were 15 of them. Denise Convery was playing to her brilliant best and stymied Davey’s movement from then on. It was a classic battle and one wonders why Convery is not playing for her county, Tiochfaidh an La. Grainne O Brien, Louise and Aisling Mahony, Nicola Fagan, Orlaith Higgins, Laura Bourke and Sinead Comerford started sweeping up every ball and carried the battle to Skerries.

Points were exchanged before Castleknock eventually narrowed the gap to 3pts. With 8 minutes to go and with some fabulous interplay from Hannah Hanlon to D Geraghty whose delightful pass fed Aisling O’Donnell, O’Donnell unleashed a cracker to the back of the net for the equaliser. Both teams were now really giving it their best, it was a delight to watch but not good for the faint hearted. Castleknock looked to have the edge and when another through ball found O’Donnell she did not hesitate in slipping it passed the goalkeeper for another goal.

Back came Skerries with a point to narrow it to 2pts again. Castleknock looked to have extra players on the pitch at this stage and started dictating the game but there was always that danger that another Skerries goal would sway it. However, with time running out that would not be the case. Another ball in to the box found Aisling O Donnell again who found the net for her third goal in 8 minutes to put Castleknock 4 pts up. It was to be the final score of an epic battle between to great teams and one Aisling O Donnell will not forget for a long time.

A big congratulation goes to the management team of Lynsey Flood, Lorna Hillery and Philip Burke. It was their first season together and winning the double was a tremendous achievement. A big thanks to all supporters, friends, families and parents who turned out to cheer their teams on this great occasion.

Francis O’Donnell