Atlanta Clan na nGael 2-2 Indianapolis Hurling Club 3-4
After countless hours on the practice field all year and tough games against Seattle and Milwaukee over the weekend, it all came down to the final game versus an experienced Indy side. The dedication and focus of players and coaches was evident again as alarms were set for 5.45 am so that Atlanta could take to the field for the 8 am Sunday morning throw in.
Indy started the game brightly winning a number of scorable frees in the opening 10 minutes of play. While their free taking was breathtakingly accurate against St Louis the previous day, Indy squandered all of their scoring opportunities from dead balls at the start of this game. The key moment of this half occurred when Amanda DuShane won a ball in center field playing a pass into Ashey Harmon who in turn made a great run through the heart of the Indy defence before crashing the sliotar to the top of the net. Sarah Spiller pointed a 45 shortly thereafter leaving momentum firmly in Atlanta’s favor.
The Atlanta team, especially in the back line and midfield, showed tremendous hustle to put pressure on Indy and disrupt the attacking skill they showed in their previous games. This was epitomised by a moment where Sarah Spiller after losing her hurl chased after the sliotar before kicking it 20 yards up the field to deliver a good pass into the half forward line. Kirsten Bendik did not leave the shadow of Indy’s star forward throughout the game while Jordan Ciciliano and Jen Beato could not be beaten to the ball in the first half.
In spite of the great Atlanta defence, Indy had their own opportunities too and got on the score board with a 45 and pointed free midway through the first half. Cathi Dugger however made a full stretch diving save to halt Indy’s momentum and reiterate her status as the best goal keeper in the tournament. Just before half time, Fiona O’Donoghue collected a pass from Jolene Glenn before being barged over by an Indy player with Sarah Spiller converted the resulting free. Atlanta led at the break by a score of 1-2 to 0-2.
Indy started the second half strongly forcing a number of clearances from Cathi Dugger. They recaptured the momentum of the game with a pointed free followed thereafter by two goals after a scramble in the box and one direct from a 45 to give Indy a lead they would never relinquish. Atlanta responded by sending a lot of ball into the forward line but stellar defending by Indy denied time and space to the Atlanta forward line in the second half. The pressure finally paid off when Fiona O’Donoghue again showed her ground hurling skills to finish into the bottom right hand corner of the net from the edge of the box. Only three points down it appeared that Atlanta could mount a come back but Indy’s experience paid dividends as they finished the stronger side with a goal and a point from play in the closing minutes. In the end the best team won but the lessons learnt by Atlanta playing this caliber of opposition will serve the side well into next season and beyond. Congrats to Indy for playing a super game and being deserving champions.
Special credit goes to subs Amy Sparks, Rosa Manning, Christa Hixon and Ann Scheunemann who while not having had the opportunity to take the field supported and encouraged their team mates throughout the weekend.
Finally, this game marked Kevin Quinn and Joy Quinn’s final involvement with this team and the Atlanta Clan na nGael club. Best wishes to Kevin and Joy as they embark on their new life together in County Galway in Ireland.
Team: Cathi Dugger, Kristin Cardell, Joy Quinn, Kirsten Bendik, Jen Beato, Jordan Ciciliano, Amanda DuShane, Sarah Spiller 0-2, Zoe Beato, Ashley Harmon 1-0, Jolene Glenn, Rachel Dominy, Fiona O’Donoghue 1-0. Unused subs: Bregeen Campbell, Amy Sparks, Patricia Tanguay, Rosa Manning, Christa Hixon, Ann Scheunemann
For more photos from the final, please see the gallery here.