Ulster Ladies Junior Football Championship
Clan na Gael, Lurgan 4-7 Con Magees, Glenravel 5-10
Glenravel girls came away from Lurgan on Sunday afternoon, happy with their performance over the hour, as they claimed their first victory in Ulster Championship football.
A fine opening quarter saw the green & whites in command and held a 2-3 to 1 point advantage at the quarter hour mark. An excellent goal by the veteran Lurgan corner forward, Brenda Loughran, got the home crowd cheering but 2 quick fire Glenravel points restored order. A converted penalty by Clan na Gael’s Aimee Brady bridged the gap again, but once more the Glenravel girls replied in kind with another goal of their own to leave the half time score 2-2 to 3-5 in favour of Con Magees.
Clan na Gael started the second half the brighter, however in their first 4 attacks they found the Glenravel rear guard in uncompromising mood. Defense was turned into attack and after 10 mins Glenravel had added another 2 goals & a point to open up a 13 point differential and at this stage were cruising. A fortuitous Lurgan goal kept their interest alive and further excellent long range points from Clan na Gael’s Reid (2) & Marsden narrowed the gap down to 7. Back again came the girls from the 10th Glen and 3 unanswered points, the pick of which being from the boot of wing back Caoimhe McAleenan after running from deep, snuffed out any threat of a close finish. Although the Clans did pick off a goal and point in injury time, by that stage Glenravel were home and dry & deservedly progressing to the quarter finals.
In the end this was decent, end to end championship fare, served up by 2 teams interested in playing direct attacking football. From a Glenravel point of view, their defence played well and didn’t let the quality 6 forwards of Clan na Gael, settle on the ball. Upfront they will be happy with scoring 5-10 on the road. Overall they will be happy to get a first Ulster win based on good creative team play but also in the knowledge that they can improve in the next round. Sundays win now secures a home quarter final tie this Sunday 29th Sept, against Derry Intermediate Champions Claudy, with that game having a 2pm throw in.
Con Magees: Orla Donnelly, Eimhear McAleenan, Emma Dillon, Bronagh McKay, Bronagh Laverty, Colleen McNeill, Caoimhe Duffin, Maeve Mulholland, Kirsty Laverty, Clare Emerson, Ellen Hynds, Niamh McKay, Laoise Mc Kenna, Torie Edgar, Dervla Donaghy, Aimee Traynor, Alishia McPeake, Clodagh McCann, Keira O’Neill, Lianne Kerr, Una Mc Aleenan, Caoimhe McKeown, Niamh Donnelly, Shauna McDonnell, Lucy Carey, Angela Duffin, Lauren Edgar, Caoimhe McColgan, Niamh O’Donnell, , Aisling Kerr, Nicole Laverty
