A sharp All Saints are the LGFA U14C Ladies Champions following a good win over a determined Eire Og at sun kissed St. James Aldergrove on Thursday night.
In near perfect conditions it was the Ballymena girls who got off to a good start when Beth Hendron split the posts but the Belfast girls served notice that they were not there just to make up the numbers.
They replied with points from Anna McNulan and Sibeal Morrissey to briefly take the lead but slowly All Saints took control.
A goal from Emme O’Mullan gave the Slemish Park girls a lead they would never subsequently lose with Cliodhna Keenan, Belle Hudson and Beth Hendron adding further goals to put them 4-8 to 1-6 ahead at half time.
The points came from Beth Hendron 0-2, Emme O’Mullan 0-2, Cara McIlwaine, Alanna Connon and Maria Doherty with Sibeal Morrissey getting the Eire Og goal and adding two first half points and Anna Donnelly 0-2 and Anna McNulan their other point scorers.
When Sibeal Morrissey got in for her second goal early in the second half for Eire Og it looked like we might have a game on our hands but All Saints failed to panic and gradually regained control.
Cliodhna Keenan, Cara McIlwaine 0-2, E,mme O’Mullan 0-2, Gracia Lyness, Eva McGillian and Belle Hudson were all on target as a smart moving Ballymena side fired over some excellent scores while the All Saints defence closed shop.
A great and sporting game of football where both sides played their part and while All Saints were worthy winners on the day, their opponents Eire Og never gave up and will surely be back in the near future to contest another final
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Despite the dreary, wet conditions on a dull evening at Dunsilly, a large crowd was treated to a spectacular showcase of football as Naomh Éanna claimed the U14A Championship title. Both teams displayed immense skill, resilience, and attacking flair in a highly entertaining final that was closer than the final score suggests.
Naomh Éanna opened the scoring with a brilliant point from Effie Walsh, sparking what would become a masterclass individual performance of 4 goals and 3 points. Erin’s Own responded immediately through a fine individual score from Bella Scullion. However, Cargin failed to capitalise on their early momentum, registering a series of costly wides.
The Hightown ladies punished those misses when Una McCavana seized the initiative. Embarking on a powerful solo run, McCavana coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net. Naomh Éanna capitalised on this momentum, adding another goal and a point shortly after. Walsh then pounced on a dropped ball in the Erin’s Own square, ruthlessly slamming it home to extend the lead.
Refusing to back down, the Cargin side fought back valiantly, swinging the flow of play in their direction with a quickfire 1-02. Their period of dominance was eventually halted by Cargin goalkeeper Convery, who made the first of many spectacular saves on the night, though the rebound was quickly snapped up by the ever-alert Walsh for Naomh Éanna.
Cargin stormed right back into the contest. Adele McCann split the posts with a well-struck free, and Ruby Daly cut the deficit further, scything through the Glengormley defence to accurately place the ball into the back of the net. Cargin looked primed to further reduce the deficit when Emer Casey unleashed a powerful shot, but Naomh Éanna goalkeeper Jennifer Dowds pulled off a stunning save. It was a night of elite goalkeeping, with both Dowds and Convery producing displays of which Cape Verde’s Vozinha would have been proud.
As the whistle approached, Naomh Éanna regained their composure, with Mae McKinlay knocking over a pointed free to ensure a six-point cushion at the break.
Half-Time: Naomh Éanna 4-04 Erins Own 2-04
Erin’s Own started the second half with high intensity. Einian Neeson caused constant headaches for the Naomh Éanna backline, helping Cargin push deep into enemy territory. Emma Diver raised the first white flag of the half for Cargin, though Johnston responded quickly for the Hightown side. Neeson then converted a free of her own making as Cargin continued to press, though they ultimately left several scoring opportunities behind them.
The defining period of the match arrived fifteen minutes into the second half when Naomh Éanna found another gear. Mae McKinlay ignited an unstoppable 11-point surge by bulging the Cargin net. Moments later, Convery made another fine save, but Walsh was on hand once more to clean up the loose ball for a goal. Fagan added to the tally with a brilliant point from long range before Walsh struck again, completing her second-half goal brace.
Faced with a heavy deficit, Cargin showed immense character and refused to lie down. Diver sent over another point before Jane McCann was justly rewarded for her tireless commitment throughout the match, fighting through to score a well-deserved goal.
Ultimately, Naomh Éanna kept their composure and kept the points ticking over until the final whistle blew. While Cargin will feel the sting of defeat, they can look back with immense pride at a heroic performance against an exceptional Naomh Éanna team who proved to be worthy champions.
Antrim senior ladies suffered a heavy defeat to Derry in this second round robin game of the All Ireland JFC
Derry were deserved winners on the day and certainly avenged their Ulster final defeat 3 weeks ago. The Saffrons never really got going and no matter what they tried, it just wasn’t working.
Antrim were minus a number of regulars, mainly due to injuries but it was no excuse for this under power performance
Playing against the strong wind in the first half Antrim went in at the break 5 down. They missed a catalogue of chances in the second half and that didn’t help their cause and Derry raised two second half green flags and that extinguished any hope Antrim had of getting back into the game.
In the end it must be the Saffrons they were beaten by a superior team on the day and the Antrim management will be keen to put this defeat behind them and hope that they will have some of their injured players back for their next game.
There were changes to the Antrim line-up, but take nothing away from the hosts, who took the game to them with some outstanding displays.
Sarah Heron was excellent at centre half-back, with Claudy pair Blaithin Donelly and Kate Hargan tireless at midfield.
Steelstown’s Orlagh McGeough came off the bench, while Anna Donnelly also performed well.
The Antrim management weren’t too critical of their side “This group give so much time and are so committed and will certainly be keen to get back on track and better performances will certainly come their way. They have had more good days than bad and there will certainly be no panic after one defeat”
On a day when things didn’t quite work out for Antrim Alyssa Davison, Laura Agnew and Maeve Blaney were their best performers.
Derry seemed to take motivation from that earlier Ulster final defeat and performed admirably all over the field.
Manager Seamus Shivers said “There was no need either for extra motivation. We all felt that we had a point to prove in terms of our own performance regardless of how the result would go, but thankfully we were able to get both the performance and the result.”
Derry led 2-3 to 1-0 at half time with their goals coming from J Slevin and J Shivers with Ni Lochlainn adding the three points as they led 2-3 to 1-0 at the break, Maria O’Neill beating Thomasina Cassidy for Antrim’s only score.
Antrim did improve on the restart but were always chasing the visitors.
Bronagh Devlin, Aoibheann Monaghan and Aine Tubridy tagged on points, but Orla McGeough, Clodagh Moore and Ni Lochlainn kept the scoreboard moving for the home team.
Ni Lochlainne would finish the game with an impressive 0-11 as the Oak Leaf girls ran out fairly convincing winners in the end.
Scorers:
Derry: A Ni Lochlainne 0-11 (3tp); A Duffy 0-3; J Slevin & J Shivers 1-0; Orlagh McGeough 0-2; C Moore 0-1
Antrim: M O’Neill 1-1; A Monaghan 0-3; A Davidson 0-3; B Devlin 0-2; A Tubridy, A Taggart & L Agnew 0-1 each
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Lámh Dhearg hosted their annual and popular Diarmuid Frazer Tournament for under 14 LGFA teams.
The 16 participating teams served up many exciting and skilful games played in a very sporting atmosphere in a sun soaked Hannahstown. Well done to all concerned in the successful organisation of the enjoyable tournament which was a great advert for underage LGFA.
Congratulations to the winners Cup – Rossa Shield – St John’s Plate – Glenavy
Nine years ago today, May 29th 2017 we covered our first game as the Saffron Gael. Since that first match in Armoy between Dunloy and Loughgiel in the final of the Under 21 Hurling Championship we have posted countless match reports, previews and interviews and upwards on 15,000 photographs. To all who have supported us, especially our sponsors who we simply could not do without, to those volunteers who have taken photos and written reports and clubs who have given us their support we truly thanks you.
This is a link to that first game that Monday evening in Armoy.
