1997 Ulster Club Camogie Final from Liatroim
Liatroim: 2-06 Loughgiel 6-11
Loughgiel Shamrocks recaptured the Ulster Club title in emphatic style in Liatroim yesterday.
Turing round at half-time facing into a stiff breeze with only a four point lead, they tore the holders defence apart and fired home four goals and five points.
It looked so different in the first half with Mairin McAleenan ramming home a goal for the holders in the third minute.
However, by the end of the first quarter Ursula Cuthbertson and Claire McGarry had tied the scores when Grace McMullan picked up a poor puck-out and fired to the net.
Liatroim were still playing well against the breeze and were unlucky to concede a second goal to Ciara McGarry in the 25th minute.
However, they should have been more comfortable only having to make up a four point deficit in the second half.
The turning point came in the opening minutes of that half when a goal bound effort by Liatroim came off a post and was swept down the field for Ursula Cuthbertson to double overhead a Grace McMullan centre to the net.
From then on Loughgiel took complete control.
Claire McGarry’s free taking was immaculate and before the end all four forwards had scored goals.
Catriona Higgins finished off good work by Rosie Watson in the 12th minute.
Rosie herself picked up on some hesitancy in the Liatroim defence a minute later while Grace McMullan appropriately finished with a goal in injury time.
Loughgiel on the day were the much better side, well organised in defence, strong in midfield and brilliantly accurate in attack.
And this all despite the fact that they had to start without Mary Connolly who had broke her wrist in Croke Park a fortnight ago.
Tactically they were superior to Liatroim and only in the first half did their defence look dodgy with the forays of Majella Murray and Mairin McAleenan.
Player of the match award went to Ursula Cuthbertson but in truth any one of five or six Loughgiel players could have taken it on the day.
Loughgiel: Imelda Gillan, Carmel McGarry, Siobhan McCloskey, Nuala McCloskey, Colette Traynor, Ciara McGarry (1-0), Claire McGarry (Capt.) (0-6), Rosie Boyle, Catriona Higgins (1-3), Rosie Watson (1-0), Ursula Cuthbertson (1-2), Grace McMullan (2-0).
Subs: Helena Connolly for Rosie Watson (50 mins), Joanne McKendry for Ciara McGarry (56 mins).
Liatroim: Joan Brown, Maureen O’Higgins, Teresa Burns, Donna Greenan, Anne Morgan, Bernie Kelly, Monica Rooney, Brenda Gallagher, Grainne McCrickard (0-1), Mairin McAleenan (Capt.) (2-2), Monica Doherty, Majella Murray (0-3).
Subs: Roisin O’Higgins for Grainne McCrickard (38 mins), Nuala Magee for Monica Doherty (50 mins).
Referee: Geraldine Clarke (Monaghan)
