You can’t win them all and on this occasion there was no disputing the result as a very good Caulry team led almost from start to finish in the Div. 2 County final. However, winning two successive Under-14 A titles, an Under-16 Division Div. 3 title, and the Under-16 A title in 2026 is an impressive body of work using any measurement criteria. 

In Castlledaly, on Saturday afternoon, Caulry took the lead  within  seconds when Alison White, the girl who was to emerge as the best player on the field pointed. Lexie Grady and Alison added points before Karla Keena pointed for Shamrocks who had the benefit of a strong wind. From the restart Shamrocks gained possession and launched an attack that ended with a 45. Elizabeth Zigure emerged from her goal to take the kick and went one better than the 2-point specialist goalkeeper when her shot ended in the Caulry net to give Shamrocks a short lived lead. Elizabeth was one of the best players for Shamrocks and made a number of fine saves, fielded well and her restarts were long and accurate. One for the future.  Grace O’Rourke equalised but a fine long range point from Clodagh Keane restored the Shamrocks’ lead (1-2 to 0-4).

That was as good as it got for Shamrocks as in the final five minutes  Alison White, Lexie Grady, Grace O’ Rourke and Abigail Kelly kicked points to lead by 0-8 to 1-2 at the break.  

Caulry playing with wind and hill controlled the second-half but the Shamrocks girls never stopped trying and tackled and chased and won great possession right to the end. Alison White, Lexi Grady, Meabh Noone and Cara O’Neill scored early points. Ella Frayne pointed for Shamrocks to complete a move that began with a brilliant turnover by Kate O’Donoghue, who played excellently. Eilis Nohilly and Clodagh Keane won a lot of good possession at mid-field. Saoirse Dixon and Karla Keena worked hard all through. However, Caulry weren’t to be denied and Aliosn White finally managed to beat Elizabeth Zigure after she soloed through the Shamrocks defence and shot to the net from close range. Caulry added three more points and with Elizabeth Zigure now playing out-field, Cara Winters, Emme Fitzgerald and Farah Fox added goals. Karla Keena had the last score of the game – a small reward for the Shamrocks girls who tried to the end. 

The final score was a disappointment for the girls but no doubt many of those who played will go on to have great careers in LGF if they continue in the game. It was also a disappointment for our management team who have worked hard with the girls all season. So well done to Carla Earley, Matthew Ledwith, Carol Fulham and Peter Thornton for all their work. It was some achievement to have 36 players togged out in Castledaly on Saturday. 

And a special mention to Suzi Ledwith who was prevented from taking her place in the final due to injury. Suzi will be back.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Elizabeth Zigure (1-0); Eloise Glynn (Aoife Cleary) Róisín Cornally, Reiltin Thornton; Mary Lyons, Kate O’ Donoghue, Emily Casey Zara Heavey); Eilis Nohilly, Clodagh Keane (0-1); Saoirse Dixon, Karla Keena (0-2), Siog Thornton (Aoibhinn Yorke); Lauren Masterson (Hollie Fahy-Maguire), Ella Frayne (0-1), Chloe Cassidy.  Other panelists who played their part all season: Ellyn Toomey, Arwen Sheeran, Abigail Nohilly, Alanna Morley, Rugile  Lukosiute, Zara Heavey, Amy Griifin, Moya Glover, Rose Fulham,  Farah Earley, Aoife Dunne, Orla Cosgrave, Ella Corroon, Alison Conroy, Poppy Byrnes, Zoey Bird, Kamila Alekseieva.