Fechins Ladies fall at All-Ireland semi-final

St. Fechins didn’t achieve the fairytale ending they were looking for today as they lost the semi-final by the smallest of margins.

With the Leinster champions facing the Connacht champions, this was never going to be easy, and it was definitely the toughest battle of the campaign to date.

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Caltra won the throw-in and were quickly met with a blanket defence, and in a waiting game, kept the ball.

Their opening shot was easily caught by Molly Savage, but her subsequent clearance went Caltra’s way and following another patient move got the first score of the match with a point from Emma Reaney.

A subsequent foul on Roisin Kavanagh just outside the new arc saw Ava Briscoe’s first shot at goal, but it went just wide of the mark. Again, from the kick out, Ava retrieved the ball but again failed to convert.

After turning over Caltra, the Fechins went on the attack, but were met with a wall of green. It found its way to Briscoe, who turned, kicked and got Fechin's first score to level the match.

In a dramatic exchange, Céire Nolan was playing on advantage, fouled a second time as she launched the ball towards Sara Moore, the whistle went just as Sara found the back of the net.

But much to the Fechins' supporters, it wasn’t allowed to stand, but the subsequent free was converted by Briscoe to put the Fechins ahead.

In an unusual turn of events, the umpire took ill and was taken off the pitch for medical treatment, and we wish her a speedy recovery. Danny O’Brien from host club Raghallaigh’s took up the white coat duties, and play resumed.

As Ceire Nolan was bursting down the middle, she was subjected to a heavy tackle from Caltra’s No.2 Caoimhe McCabe, who received a yellow card.

Free was taken by Ava Briscoe but fell short into the hands of Leanne Devery, who played it back out, and the subsequent shot went off the upright and wide from Céire Nolan with Fechins third wide of the half.

Caltra went on the attack, and despite some excellent defending, Emma Reaney got her second of the match to level the game again.

Both sides turn over with some excellent defending, but a number of passing errors from the Fechins' side stall their attacking runs.

Roisin Kavanagh made a shot on the run after a pass from Céire Nolan, but it went wide, a missed opportunity for the Fechins. Orla McEvoy, captain, retrieved a high pass from Roisin and converted for her first score of the match.

She again converted after a poor kick out and got her second in quick succession, leaving the score 0-4 0-2.  Ava intercepts the next kickout, but her shot goes wide, Fechins's fifth of the match.

The Caltra side responded with a point from Ciara Murray, and they also go back up to 15 players. But following a high tackle on Orla Brennan, Caltra’s No 12, Caragh Mullins also receives a yellow card seconds after her team mate returned to the field.

Hayley turns over, finds Ava, who passes Orla McEvoy, who looks up and points again for her side. A foul on Emma Reaney gives Caltra another chance, but it's played back out as the Fechins defend well.

Emma Reaney retrieves the ball again, but her shot falls short into Molly Savages hands.  Roisin Kavanagh runs down the wing and finds Moya Corrigan, who, as she catches the ball, turns and is faced by a Caltra defender and is knocked to the ground.

The subsequent free is converted by Ava Briscoe as we enter the 38th minute of the half. Caltra again went on the attack, but again their shot fell short, and a free was given as it was deemed that Orla Brennan fouled as it was kicked.

But again, the shot falls short into the hands of Leanne as the ref finally blows the whistle with 10 minutes of extra time on the clock.

Half time St Fechins 0-6 Caltra Cuans 0-3

It was all to play for in the second half, but it was the Galway side that came out fighting. They claimed the next quarter of the match with three unanswered points, two from placed balls to equalise.

Fechins were not without their challenges, but were turned over on a number of occasions. Fechin's only shot went wide of the mark. In the 16th minute, Caltra scored from a free to take the lead.

Fechins needed to do something to keep themselves in the game, and it came two minutes later with a fine score from Ava from play following a patient run-up to equalise.

But this was short-lived as Caltra responded well and got a point from play to take the lead again with 20 minutes gone.

It was Fechin's turn to respond from the kick out as Orla McEvoy found herself in scoring position and made no mistake getting her fourth point of the match and equalising the sides again.

It was really anyone's game at this stage, but Caltra were the more dangerous side in the second half – it looked like it might head to extra time.

Molly Matthews came on to replace Lana Devine with seven minutes to go. As the clock ticked down,  the supporters from both sides were more vocal as they willed their sides on.

Ava was fouled in scoring position inside the small D, but unfortunately, it went wide of the mark as the match went into stoppage time.  It looked like extra time was on the cards, but Caltra had other ideas.

Although their first shot went to the left and wide. Fechins replaced Sara Moore with no 10 Alice Johnston. After a short kickout, Caltra turned over and was fouled.

They made no mistake with their free and took the lead with four minutes of stoppage time on the clock. Fechins needed to work up the field if they had any chance to level the match.

Ceire Nolan made a final driving run up the pitch, finding Roisin Kavanagh, who was fouled, but the referee blew the final whistle, denying Fechins any chance of an equaliser.

And victory went to the Connacht champions, who on their second-half performance deserved the win. Fechin's eight wides was probably the deciding factor in this result.

It will take a while for the Fechins side to regroup after today, but they will look back at the amazing season they had - earning the Louth Senior Championship and Leinster Intermediate Championship titles and having an amazing run getting to the All-Ireland semi-final.

They did themselves, their club and county proud. Looking forward to what 2026 will bring.

St. Fechins: Molly Savage, Moya Corrigan, Anna Redmond, Orla Brennan, Leanne Devery, Rachel Beirth, Lana Devins, Órla McEvoy (c) 0-4, Céire Nolan, Sara Moore, Ava Briscoe 0-4 (2f), Hayley McDonnell, Roisin Kavanagh, Rebecca Howell, Caoimhe Hynes.

Subs: Molly Matthews for Lana Devine, Alice Johnston for Sara Moore.

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath).