Ulster LGFA Intermediate Championship semi-final
Glenavy 4-12 Ballyhaise (Cavan) 3-9
Injury time goals from corner forward Aoibheann Monaghan and full forward Ellen Morgan added a gloss to Glenavy’s victory over Ballyhaise of Cavan in Saturday’s Ulster LGFA Intermediate semi-final at Chapel Hill, in a thrilling game of football. After leading by five points at half time (1-8 to 1-3) Glenavy saw their lead cut back to two early in the second half. They responded well and boosted by a Graine McLaughlin goal they pulled clear again. However the Ballyhaise girls fought their way back again and came within three as the game went into injury time.
There were still a few anxious moments for the home fans, but those worries were short lived as Monaghan and Morgan struck with two great goals in injury time to seal a place in the final against Derry champions Steelstown in two weeks’ time.
Ballyhaise looked very dangerous in the opening quarter and after an early point from their star player Elaine Brady the Cavan ace added a brilliant individual goal to give her team a 1-1 to 0-2 lead after 12 minutes. The visitors were creating a good few chance but wayward shooting and some sterling defending by the Glenavy girls kept them at bay and slowly but surely they home side settled into the game.
Two Grainne McLaughlin points and one from Ellen Morgan brought them level by the midway point of the opening half, and though Ballyhaise edged back in front with a Lucy Jayne Grant point, Glenavy finished the half with a flourish. Morgan pointed a free to bring them level before Grainne McLaughlin edged them back ahead. Centre back Bronagh Forrester increased the lead to two in first half injury time before Anna Mulholland sent the home fans into raptures with a brilliant goal to send them in at the break with a 1-8 to 1-3 lead.
The pressure was back on the Glenavy girls again when Ballyhaise hit the first three points of the second half through Clodagh Clarke, Philippa Watters and Elaine Brady to cut the gap back to just two. Glenavy responded with two Grainne McLaughlin points and when Natasha O’Neill cut through to set up McLaughlin for her team’s second goal they were back in control.
The home fans didn’t get long to enjoy their cushion however as Ballyhaise came back strongly and a goal from corner forward Philippa Watters and points from Brady and Clarke. The Cavan girls were right back in the game, but their hopes were dented with they lost two players to yellow cards within minutes of each other.
Despite that the Cavan champions were still a threat, but Glenavy’s late double from Monahan and Morgan sealed a convincing win for the Antrim champions.
