‘It was a brilliant game from start to finish’ - Coláiste na Carraige coach Emer Carr

It used to be the boys of Coláiste na Carraige who were punching above their weight but now the girls are on a roll at the South Donegal school.

On Friday they won another Ulster title when they defeated Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon to lift the Senior  Schools E crown.

For team manager, Emer Carr, it was nothing short of what she expected of the team.

“It was a brilliant game from start to finish. There wasn’t a moment in that game that wasn’t electrifying. From the first minute they were playing football the whole way through.”

It has been another great season for the senior girls at the school, as they were also crowned Ulster champions last year when they defeated Bawnboy in the Ulster final in Ballyshannon.

“We have won every single game since this team was put together again last year in Carrick. We had no girls football for years and last year was our first year back in. 

“This year was much more challenging but the girls have shown that they are well able for it and for the step up next year as well,” said Carr.

On Friday in perfect conditions at the Donegal Training Centre, there were just two points between the sides at the finish (2-12 to 3-7) and two early goals were important in the Carrick win.

“Yeah, that was good and it settled the nerves,” said Carr, who agreed that the second goal had a little bit of fortune with Saoirse O’Donnell in the right place. “Yeah, in the right place at the right time and you need a bit of that in a final.”

They had to fight all the way with the Ballyshannon girls coming back to draw level early in the last quarter.

“Apart from the first couple of points, I don’t think we went behind in the game, once we gathered ourselves. The girls were never going to let this game go. I know these girls,” said Carr.

She agreed that the half-back line was their dominant line and were instrumental in the win.

“The half-back-line was as solid as a rock, every single girl on the field, but that half-back-line is fantastic, standout on any team,” said Carr, who said it was great to see Laura Boyle get Player of the Match, but she felt it could have gone to any of the girls.

“When we needed that bit of a lift (when Colaiste Cholmcille came back to draw level), we had girls standing up and taking ownership of things and putting that ball over the bar.”

The small school is making a name for itself again and this time it is the girls who are punching above their weight.

“We absolutely do. I would say 98% of the school population was here today, which shows the support behind the team as well,” said Carr.