Connollys Men and Ladies ready for British challenge

FOR the third time this season, Glasgow Gaels and Dunedin Connollys went head to head in what has become one of Scottish GAA’s most fiercely contested rivalries and once again, nothing could separate the sides in normal time.

With Storm Amy swirling overhead, conditions were far from ideal in the Scottish Senior Men’s Championship. Playing with a strong wind at their backs, the Gaels made the most of the advantage in the opening half, racing into a 1-05 to 0-01 lead. However, indiscipline proved costly as they picked up two black cards late in the half, giving Connollys the opportunity to grow into the game. The Edinburgh side responded well, hitting 1-02 before the break to narrow the deficit to 1-05 to 1-03 at half-time.

Connollys carried that momentum into the third quarter, this time benefiting from the elements. They dominated possession and took control on the scoreboard, moving into a comfortable lead midway through the second half. When the Gaels were reduced to 14 men, it looked as though Connollys might finally pull clear.

But the Gaels refused to surrender. Driven on by sheer determination, they launched a remarkable comeback, netting three late goals to haul themselves right back into contention. Connollys, too, suffered late black cards, adding further drama to a pulsating finish. At the end of normal time, the sides were deadlocked once again Gaels 4-07 to Connollys 3-10.

Extra-time brought more drama as fatigue and cramp began to take their toll. Both teams traded points, but it was Connollys who found the crucial scores when it mattered most, edging the additional period four points to three to seal a famous victory by a scoreline of 3-14 to 4-10

In testing conditions, both sides served up a tremendous display of skill, heart, and resilience—a great advertisement for Gaelic games in Scotland.

Connollys now go on to represent Scotland in the All-Britain Semi-Final in November, where they await the winners of the Warwickshire Championship.

Connollys Ladies, meanwhile, were also in action in the North of Britain semi-final against Roger Casements from Coventry.

The Edinburgh side set the tone for the game with a great score coming off the throw-in from Nicola Ryan and Coailfhionn Deeney. The Connollys backs were on top form too with Claire Dunne leading the charge.

A foul in the Connollys box gave Casements a penalty and chance at goal, but a great save from Angie Callaghan meant Dunedin survived the scare. The Edinburgh side then kicked into gear with a further five goals scored before the half-time whistle to lead 5-07 to 0-02.

Casements responded early in the second-half with three points, but Connollys were solid defensively and further scores from Deeney and Tara Kelly securing the win by a score of 5-16 to 0-05.

This win secured the girls a spot in the final against John Mitchels of Liverpool and as The Irish Voice went to press, news came through that Connollys were victorious. They will now contest the All-Britain semi-final at the start of next month.