Cormac O’Gara’s Dunedin Connolly’s side from Edinburgh made history today by becoming the first ever Scottish club to reach an All-Ireland semi-final.
By Jonathan Foley, PRO
Dunedin Connolly’s 1-9 Rosinellas 1-6
A three-point win in a tense battle with Leinster Champions, Rosinellas (Laois) saw the former Naomh Columba celebrate once again this season as they now look forward to a meeting with the Ulster champions, The Rock St Patrick’s from Tyrone, in January in the All-Ireland Junior semi-final.
[adrotate group=”53″]Their sprinkling of Donegal interest wasn’t just with O’Gara however as former Carndonagh player, Eanna Newton started in the forward line.
In addition, Karen Feeney (Gortahork), who won an All-Ireland with the Donegal Ladies in 2010, was operating as team physio for the day along with Jonathan Foley (Letterkenny) on hand as PRO.
Having already won the Scottish and British championships this year, outsiders might have expected that a non-Irish based club would go much further in the All-Ireland series.
This season however, with a well-organised and highly-motivated outfit and an ever-committed manager at the helm, they were to throw out that script on today.
[adrotate group=”38″]Holding a strong four point lead at the break, the Edinburgh side had to weather a storm in the early periods of the second half when a goal and a couple of unanswered points saw the visitors take a slender lead.
But if ever there was the perfect time to score a goal, this was it. Shortly after Seamus Mulvihill equalised, former Mayo panellist Frank Molloy buried a crucial strike into the back of the net; restoring Connolly’s advantage.
[adrotate group=”46″]As the game wore on, the British champions looked the more composed and ran out relatively comfortable winners.
The dream continues for the Edinburgh side.
