Ulster Senior Club Championship semi-finals:
Clann Eireann (Armagh) 2-13 Moneyglass (Antrim) 0-7;
Moneyglass’ bid for Ulster glory came unstuck in Lurgan on Sunday when they were well beaten by Armagh champions Clann Eireann in the semi-final of the Ulster LGFA Championship.
After their record breaking win over multiple champions Donaghmoyne in the quarter final two weeks ago there was great optimism among the Antrim champions as they journeyed to Lurgan, but their hopes came unstuck against and excellent Clann Eireann side who dominated the game from the start.
The Armagh girls got away to a great start when Niamh Murray fired home a penalty after Moneyglass goalkeeper Anna McCann was adjudged to have fouled Maebh McCambridge. The home side pushed on to add four more points through Tiarna Grimes, Niamh Henderson, Niamh Murray and Dearbhla Coleman and it was clear the Antrim girls were in deep trouble.
Orlaith Prenter opened the Moneyglass scoring with a pointed free on 21 minutes, but Henderson came back with one from the home team soon afterwards. Prenter added two more points from frees in the lead up to half time but Clann Eireann replied with another from Murray to open up a six point lead by half time.
Clann Eireann corner forward Maebh McCambbride, cousin of Cushendall hurling star Ryan McCambridge, increased the Armagh champions lead just after half time and though Prenter came back with one for Moneyglass McCambridge struck again to keep the gap at seven. Prenter kept the Antrim champions in touch with her team’s first score from play on 42 minutes, but the Armagh girls pushed on with two more from team captain Niamh Henderson and one from Niamh Murray before Murray sealed the emphatic win with her team’s second goal of the game.
A bad blow for Moneyglass, who could never really get into the game. Their hopes were high after the Donaghmoyne win of going all the way in Ulster, but two hard seasons with club and county have taken their toll on many members of the team. They will take a well earned break now for a few months and come back next season refreshed. They have proved over the past two seasons that on their day they are a match for anyone.
Clann Eireann now go forward to their first ever final where they will take on former champions Bredagh
