Cortown NS’s Leah Codd is challenged by Castletown NS’s Gemma Quinn during the Girls Div 5 final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday. Photo: David Mullen/www.quirke.ie

Primary Schools Final: Castletown survive Cortown’s late surge

The 4-8 to 4-7 scoreline doesn't tell the full story of this amazing Girls Div 5 final but it does say a lot. A lot about the tenacity of each team. The determination of the players to give 110 per cent, and more, for the glory of their teams; their school. That particularly applied to two exceptionally talented players - Castletown's Shauna Kate Smyth and Cortown's Leah Codd.

The one-point margin in the end also indicated just how close this contest was. How competitive it was too. A thriller won in the end by the full-hearted Castletown side led by Sadhbh Smyth and Shauna Kate Smyth. Both are quality footballers but it was Shauna Kate who underlined her rich talent with a wonderful haul of 3-5.

She also got a fourth goal too with St Brigid's netminder Ciara O'Sullivan making a fine save from one of her shots before the ball broke to Lauren Byrne, who was alert to the possibilities, and she netted from close range. Sadhb Smyth, Leah Lawlor and Aoibhinn Monaghan also lofted over points for the winners. At the break the scoreline read Cortown 2-2, Castletown 1-5.

If Castletown had a scoring machine in Shauna Kate Smyth, Cortown had one of their own in the brilliant, fearless, the clinical Leah Codd. She capped a truly wonderful display with 3-6, some of her goals individuals efforts of the highest quality, all from play. Molly Casserly also added a goal for Cortown while Niamh Conway skilfully swept over a point. Cortown finished strongly but Castletown held on to a lead they had build up - just. Both sides can take a bow for producing such quality and drama on the final game of the day.

St Brigid's NS Cortown - Ciara O’Sullivan; Niamh Conway, Kate Clarke, Chloe Gibbons; Laoise Rennicks, Molly Casserly; Lucy Henry, Shauna Whelan, Leah Codd. Subs - Aoife O'Halloran, Caoimhe Tully, Emmeline Farr, Mya Woods, Julianne Coyle, Mia Farnan, Karla English, Sophie Gibbons, Carla Coyne, Mia Foley, Leah Mulroe. Mentors - Barney O’Rourke, Jason Coffey, Ross Kavanagh.

Castletown NS - Jessica Farrelly; Liliana Meehan, Holly Cluskey, Gemma Quinn; Shauna Kate Smyth, Sadhbh Smyth; Leah Lawlor, Hannah Lyons, Aoibhinn Monaghan. Subs - Lauren Byrne, Aimee Cluskey, Clodagh McManus, Nicole Dunphy. Mentor - Wayne Duff.

Referee - Julie Kavanagh (Rathregan NS).