*St Joseph’s Spanish Point play the All-Ireland final next Thursday.
THERE was as much relief as elation after St. Joseph’s Spanish Point finally got over the line to progress to a first All-Ireland Senior decider in 29 years.
For this group, it was an understandably emotional breakthrough too after the the heartbreak of back-to-back penultimate stage reverses.
“We’re over the moon,” beamed Simone Considine following their semi-final win. “We’ve worked so hard over the past three years, going from C to B and now A. We won three Munster titles in a row but just managed to lose each of the All-Ireland Semi-FInals even though we probably deserved to get through. So to finally do it now in the All-Ireland Senior A Semi-Final is just unbelievable to be honest”.
It was the sheer character and resilience demonstrated by all 18 players used over a compelling near 90 minute rollercoaster ride that saw the lead change hands, that impressed the marauding centre-back most.
“I think today really showed that our attitude and spirit is brilliant. Even when players were sin binned, we never dropped our heads once and if anything we were just determined to step things up even more than we did when we had fifteen players on the field. Even going into extra-time was just nerve-wracking but we knew that whatever happened we were going to win today. We came down here to win and thankfully we did”.
They did thanks to a last gasp Allisha Ryan instinctive goal that sent Spanish Point into delirium and Moate into understandable deflation. “She is just an unbelievable player and what a way to finish the game. Look, that’s the thing about this team, everyone plays their part, no matter what. When someone is nervous or not going well for a while someone else just steps up. We all encourage because we’re a team and we’re all in this together
“It’s great to see to see such a big crowd too and not just students, parents and families but loads of neutrals as well cheering us on which was great to see. Look, we’ve just worked so hard for this so to finally get the recognition we have now by getting to an All-ireland Senior A Final just makes the whole commitment worthwhile and we can’t wait to play in the final now, concluded the Clare Under 16 star.
