Women's Football All-Ireland Final/ Donaghmoyne 1-11 Carnacon 0-13:Catriona McConnell won the battle of the full forwards as Donaghmoyne survived a Cora Staunton-inspired second-half comeback to claim their first VHI All-Ireland club senior football title.
McConnell finished with a personal tally of 1-9 - with all bar two points coming in the opening period - as she punished every Carnacon transgression with a phenomenal display of free-taking. And her goal, six minutes before half-time, was a cracking effort and proved the match-winner.
The full forward took a pass from Cora Courtney before unleashing a terrific shot to the roof of the net and that helped the John Morrison-coached outfit into a 1-8 to 0-4 lead at the interval. Some of her scores in this period were exceptional, although she saved her best for the second half, with a stupendous point over her shoulder.
Carnacon looked down and out at the break, but Staunton, who had had an indifferent opening period, almost inspired them to an unlikely victory. The Mayo star replicated McConnell's first-half feats, providing onlookers with an exhibition in the latter period. She added seven points to her first-half tally of three, as she ran the Donaghmoyne defence ragged with her movement and direct running.
Staunton's final score brought the sides level at 0-13 to 1-10. With eight minutes remaining and Donaghmoyne now reduced to 14 following the sin-binning of captain Fiona Courtney, it looked as though Carnacon would go on to claim their second title.
However, last year's beaten finalists prevailed courtesy of a brilliant point from midfielder Amanda Casey into the wind and some extremely dogged defending from her team-mates.
Meanwhile, Eadestown of Kildare and Emyvale of Monaghan will have to do it all again next week after a hugely entertaining All-Ireland junior final at Dromard.
Goals at the start of each half by Ciara McAnespie looked to have set Emyvale on their way, but Eadestown showed great character into the wind to peg them back.
Cliona Dowling and Leah Purcell both pointed before Dowling kicked the equaliser - to leave the final score Eadestown 0-10, Emyvale 2-4.
The replay is expected to take place at Nowlan Park next Sunday.
DONAGHMOYNE: L Martin; J Geoghegan, M Grimes, N Lynch; H Kingham, F Courtney, J Courtney; S Courtney, A Casey (0-1); L Daly, M Woods, E Murtagh (0-1); C Courtney, C McConnell (1-9, 0-7 frees), L Kingham.
CARNACON: C Brennan; N Hurst, C McGing, Michelle Corbett; Marie Corbett, A Loftus, S McGing; C Egan, M Carter (0-2); N Tierney, F McHale, C Connolly; M Hallinan, C Staunton (0-10, six frees), M Staunton (0-1). Subs: A Geraghty for Tierney; M Higgins for Corbett.
Referee: T Clarke(Dublin).
