AIB ULSTER SENIOR LGFA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Donaghmoyne 1-8 St. Ergnats, Moneyglass 1-3
St. Ergnats, Moneyglass saw their reign as Ulster champions come to a frustrating end on Sunday, falling to a five-point defeat against traditional powerhouse Donaghmoyne. Entering the final as slight favorites after last season’s historic march to the All-Ireland final, the Antrim champions endured an uncharacteristically flat performance, managing just two points in a heavily disrupted second half. Ultimately, a combination of missed opportunities and a seasoned Donaghmoyne side packed with emerging talent proved too much to overcome.
Moneyglass initially looked ready to dictate the pace. After a physical opening exchange that saw Donaghmoyne lose Amy Garland to a serious knee injury, St. Ergnats struck first blood in the 16th minute with a beautifully worked goal. Cliona Griffin did the heavy lifting, driving hard up the right wing before drawing the defence and slipping a clever ball into space. The lively Leah Stewart was perfectly positioned to side-foot the ball into the bottom corner, putting the defending champions in the driving seat.
However, the momentum abruptly shifted in the 21st minute when Sarah O’Neill was sent to the sin bin. Donaghmoyne mercilessly exploited the numerical advantage. While Maria O’Neill managed to trade a point with Cathriona Murnaghan, the Monaghan champions seized control before the break, hitting 1-3 without reply—including an unstoppable strike from Rosie Courtney—to leave Moneyglass trailing 1-4 to 1-1 at half-time.
Moneyglass needed a fast start in the second half but were haunted by missed chances. With their very first attack, they sliced a golden goal-scoring opportunity wide. Though Ruby McErlain quickly cancelled out a Lauren Garland point to keep St. Ergnats in touch, the Antrim side simply could not find their usual attacking rhythm.
Even when Donaghmoyne’s discipline faltered, Moneyglass could not capitalize. Sharon Courtney was yellow-carded in the 35th minute, but St. Ergnats failed to make the advantage count, instead conceding a pair of frees to Murnaghan. Donaghmoyne were then reduced to thirteen players in the 43rd minute following a straight red card for Maeve Smyth, yet a resolute Monaghan defence kept the Moneyglass attack smothered.
In a tense final quarter, Orlaith Prenter and Garland traded points, but time was rapidly running out for the reigning champions. Moneyglass were thrown one final lifeline late in the game when, after consultation with his umpires, the referee awarded St. Ergnats a penalty. It was a chance to spark a dramatic comeback, but Prenter’s low strike agonisingly pulled wide of the post, effectively ending the contest.
It was a tough afternoon for Moneyglass, who will rue a sluggish second half and a string of missed chances, but the Antrim champions can look back with immense pride on a remarkable two-year journey at the summit of Ulster football.
Donaghmoyne L. Martin, A. Callan, F. Courtney. G. Cumiskey, E. Traynor, S. Courtney, R. McCarthy, R. Courtney, M. Smith, A. Burns, C. Courtney, A. Garland, C. Murnaghan, L. Garland, N. Kerley Subs Used: H. Kingham for A. Garland Scorers: C. Murnaghan 0-5, R. Courtney 1-1 and L. Garland 0-2
St. Ergnats, Moneyglass A. Devlin, A. Leahy, N. McIntosh, C. Griffin, R. Bradley, E. McAreavey, C. Griffin, L. Cassidy, S. O’Neill, L. Stewart, M. O’Neill, L. McCann, R. McErlain, C. Carey, O. Prenter Subs Used: A. Boyd for R. McErlain
Referee: P. Conway (Armagh)
