LGFA Ulster SFC club semi-final
Clann Eireann 2-10 Moneyglass 1-10
Clann Eireann withstood a late sustained comeback from Antrim champions, Moneyglass to advance to the final of the AIB Ulster club final where they will meet Cavan champions Lurgan later this month.
A year ago St. Ergnat’s travelled to the same venue where they suffered a heavy defeat to today’s opponents and they were determined to put that defeat behind them.
Things certainly didn’t go to plan during the opening half when the Lurgan side raced into a 1-5 to 0-2 half time lead and were well in control with Cassie Henderson with an 18th minute goal, the replacement forward also grabbing a point, while full-forward duo Niamh Murray and Eimear McConaghy each hit two points.
Emma Louise McArevey finally got the Antrim champions off the mark with a point in 23rd minute and Orlaith Prenter adding their second in first half injury time but at this stage it looked a long way back for the Marian Hill side.
It got worse for St. Ergnat’s on the restart as Aoibhinn Donohue extended the Clan Eireann lead when she found the back of the net two minutes in to move her side nine points clear.
Niamh Henderson extended that lead to 10 and that remained the gap after Maria O’Neill, Cathy Carey and Bronagh Devlin pointed for the visitors and Henderson and Cassie Henderson replied for the reigning champions.
Orla Prenter, who had been well contained up to this point, hit two more for the Moneyglass side and Niamh Henderson and Eimear McConaghy responded for the Lurgan side with what prove to be their final score with 13 minutes remaining.
It looked over, even at this early juncture but St. Ergnat’s came roaring back as Orla Prenter hit three in-a-row to reduce the gap to seven points with five minutes remaining.
Cathy Carey put the cat amongst the pigeons when she fired to the Clann Eireann net in the 62nd minute and Prenter followed with another point to leave just a goal separating the sides with Meabh McCambridge claiming a late delivery from Bronagh Devlin as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.
A brave performance from the Antrim champions after a bad start and on reflection they will probably look at that start as their downfall but they certainly restored pride in the jersey and no doubt, will be back in search of a first Ulster next season.
Clann Eireann: 1 Catherine Lawless, 2 Erin Melanophy, 3 Clodagh McCambridge, 4 Grainne Carville, 5 Roisin Mulligan, 6 Megan McCann, 7 Dearbhla Coleman, 8 Cait Towe, 9 Niamh Coleman, 10 Aoibhin Donohue, 11 Niamh Henderson, 12 Tirna Grimes, 13 Eimear McConaghy, 14 Niamh Murray, 15 Meabh McMambridge
Moneyglass: 1 Aine Devlin, 2 Danielle Duffin, 3 Niamh McIntosh, 4 Niamh Neeson, 5 Aoife Leahy, 6 Sarah O’Neill, 7 Rebecca Bradley, 8 Aoife Kelly, 9 Laura McCann, 10 Annie Griffin, 11 Cathy Carey, 12 Cliona Griffin, 13 Maria O’Neill, 14 Orla Prenter, 15 Jo Jo Darragh
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