Glenavy U14 girls sealed the all-county 2025 Northern Property U14 B league with a comprehensive victory over Lamh Dhearg at Chapel Hill last Thursday evening. With 11 wins out of 11 the girls won the title with a game to spare to become the first juvenile LGFA team from the Glenavy Club to win any B League title.
A solid performance in the winter league laid the foundations for the season ahead and ensured they hit the ground running when the league campaign began in the spring. Hard fought victories over tough Rossa and St Johns teams could have gone either way, but Glenavy finished strongly in both matches to pick up the points. An epic end to end battle against a formidable Davitts, in a game that was worthy of a championship final, finished with a one-point win for the Glenavy Girls, meaning they set the pace at the top of the league and were now the team to beat.
After Easter, more comfortable wins over Con Magees and Naomh Brid gave the girls from Chapel Hill breathing space at the summit of the league. In their next game, Aghagallon kept them honest coming back to draw level in the second half but once again the Glenavy Girls’ eye for a goal saw them open a gap and go on to win with a bit to spare. However, a sterner test was on the horizon as Glenavy travelled into The Bear Pit to take on Sarsfields. On a sweltering hot day during a May heat wave the first half was a cagey affair with little between the teams. But Glenavy’s squad depth proved to be the difference as the introduction of fresh legs off the bench enabled them to pull away and remain undefeated.
A disappointing championship exit at the hands of Lamh Dhearg gave the Glenavy Girls several weeks to correct a few shortcomings and they needed to be at their best when the
league resumed and they travelled to the same opponents. This top of the table clash would go a long way in deciding where the title would go and on a wet blustery night where defences dominated, Glenavy held on to edge a low scoring encounter to ensure they finished the first round of fixtures with 8 wins out of 8.
At this stage of the season, the league split and all teams in the top section were still in with a chance of winning the league, showing just how competitive this division was. When the matches resumed after the summer break, Glenavy travelled to Rossa with both squads depleted due to summer holidays and visits to the Gaeltacht. This once again gave Glenavy the opportunity to test the depth of their squad and their players delivered a huge winning performance to put the title within touching distance.
Needing a win to put them out of reach of second place Davitts, Glenavy hosted Lamh Dhearg with expectation amongst the sizable home support high. However, it soon became evident that the Girls from Hannahstown were not just here to make up the numbers. Despite an early goal for Glenavy, Lamh Dhearg controlled most of the first half and it took a fortuitous goal for Glenavy as the half time whistle approached to ease them into a narrow lead. Whatever was said at halftime did the trick as Glenavy came out determined not to be denied the title. St Joseph’s took to the field fired up after the break and quickly put the score board to work hitting several goals to build up an insurmountable lead and pull away from a spirited Lamh Dhearg, letting the celebrations begin.
Not resting on their laurels, the team travelled to Davitts with a spring in their step as champions and looking to close out their league campaign undefeated. They once again did the business and were presented with the League Winners’ Cup by
County Chairperson Ursula Lynch before bringing the trophy back to Chapel Hill for a home coming party!
With 11 wins out of 11 they are worthy champions. Although the team boasts several outstanding players, they do not rely on individual brilliance. Instead, they have a great teamwork ethic, strength all over the pitch and show resilience when things get tough. Great goal keeping, determined defence, endless work rate from midfield and prolific scoring ensured Glenavy finished as the division’s top scorers and tightest defence. St Joseph’s Glenavy have invested a lot of time and effort into the LGFA side of the club in recent years and they are now seeing the rewards of their dedicated coaches. The inspired decision to start up their Girls Academy in 2019 is now paying off as this U14 squad also picked up trophies in several one-day invitational tournaments throughout the 2025 season to round off a remarkable season.
2025 U14 Glenavy Squad
Grace Clenaghan, Anna Connor, Aimee Denny, Martha Denny, Alicia Dolan, Eva Eastwood, Hollie Grant, Rosanagh Lavery, Rachael Lovett, Mylah McAllister, Caoimhe McCaffrey, Ciara McCaffrey, Ava McCumiskey, Lucie Mulcahy, Elizabeth Mulholland, Ella Mulholland, Helena Mulholland, Cara Mulvenna, Orla Nelson, Emily O’Boyle, Tiarna Paton, Orla Payne, Leah Rice, Aoife Steenson.
TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THE TROPHY PRESENTATION NIGHT AT CHAPEL HILL CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
https://myalbum.com/album/ueXpvfbCyqP3Wc/?invite=309727ed-307c-4f36-8ce5-21e03caa6cf5