Ulster Junior A championship preliminary round

Edendork 0-07 Loughgiel 1-08

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Edendork GAA Grounds

Sandwiched between two storms, Austen and Boelo, Edendork grounds were on the verge of turning into a lake for a game of aqua camogie, but thankfully despite the inclement deluge, we had enough ground to muster a game. An important game too, as the next round is the semi final against Crosserlough on Saturday, leaving little room at this time of the year for refixtures.

Match referee, Sean Curran from Derry, rolled in sharply at the hour and it was Edendork who showed a clean pair of heels as they took the game to Loughgiel for the first score from a 45 from Edendork’s Catherine Moohan. Conditions proved difficult for both sides as the sliotar defied a clean lift and refused to travel far into the veil of rain and wind. Both sides took to the ground for a physical game and after 24 minutes, Loughgiel drew alongside Edendork at three points apiece. The Shamrocks would edge ahead for a spell with a crucial point from Eimear McKinley before Edendork’s Bronagh Moohan made it four each and would prove a vital cog in Edendork’s machinery.

With five minutes left on the clock, Loughgiel’s Anna Mckillop would float a point well over the bar into the catch net to edge again ahead of a lively Edendork side, but at the other end, Shauna Doran showed all of her experience by slipping back behind keeper Shauna McKillop to save a direct shot on goal that could have set Edendork on a scoring run. Loughgiel were now showing signs of some game control in the latter ten minutes of the first half and a timely stage of the game for Edendork to hear the short whistle, with Edendork 0-04 Loughgiel 0-05 leaving both sides with everything to play for after the break and Edendork arguably facing a small disadvantage into a corner wind.

It took a full fifteen minutes after the restart for a score to be registered on the clubhouse scoreboard. Loughgiel’s Rose McMullan would capitalise on a foul of Carlina Sullivan as she went on a run at goal outside the large box. McMullan’s point found the catch net but that wouldn’t be enough as the cumulation of fouls, twelve in total in as many minutes, meant Edendork’s Bronagh Moohan would convert two of those and a fine solo run and a flick over the bar from team mate, Lara Devlin, had Edendork one point in the lead and hopes raised around the park of a possible swing in fortunes.

That feeling would prove short lived, as Loughgiel’s Rose McMullan ventured full forward and found the sliotar coming in at her for the catch, turning and a short solo brought the young camog into the green firing zone. With one swipe the Shamrocks had a goal up on the scoreboard. Despite a late rally from Edendork, Loughgiel’s Louise McKillop made it 1-07 and a forty five from McMullan closed out the game at Edendork 0-07 Loughgiel 1-08.

A difficult set of circumstances for both sides but on show was desire, determination and grit to grind out the game and a win for Loughgiel.

You can see more photos from today’s game by clicking on the following link…

https://myalbum.com/album/CqTBsCpq8Cvuye/?invite=45f79e02-dc06-403a-a1a4-3a4009b19058

Edendork starting panel and scorers

Eloise Doherty, Meghan Doherty, Clara Doherty, Carragh Cullen, Sinead McGeary, Bronagh Moohan 0-03 (2f), Emily Boyle, Rona Mallon, Nicole Donaghy, Ellen Gillen, Eva Corr, Lara Devlin 0-03, Eva Cullen, Sophia Hagan, Catherine Moohan 0-01 (45)

Loughgiel starting panel and scorers

Shauna McKillop, Caoimhe McGarry, Úna McGovern, Brianna McCloskey, Sarah Flavin, Shauna Doran, Zoe Cassley, Louise McKillop 0-01, Anna Smyth, Rose McMullan 1-03 (45, 1f), Ceala Dobbin, Therese McKinley, Anna McKillop 0-02, Eimear McKinley 0-02, Carlina Sullivan