Excitement at Ladies Club Championship Finals

Ulster Senior Club Ladies Football Final:
Donaghmoyne 0-13 Termon 3-6

A 64th minute goal from Geraldine Mc Laughlin helped Donegal champions Termon to their first Ulster senior club title at the expense of reigning Ulster and All Ireland champions Donaghmoyne at Beragh today (Sunday). The goal by Mc Laughlin who finished with a personal tally of 2-3 helped her side to a two point win.

Donaghmoyne opened brightly with Cathriona Mc Connell firing over a trio of points and another from Niamh Lynch  gave them a four point cushion after 10 minutes. Points from Maureen O Donnnell and Geraldine Mc laughlin halved the deficit but Donaghmoyne went further ahead thanks to scores from Majella Woods (3) and Mc Connell. Termon remained in touched with another O Donnell free and then in the 23rd minute the brilliant Mc laughlin netted the first of her two goals. Donaghmoyne did finish the half strongly and points from Cora Courtney and Amanda Casey gave them a 0-10 to 1-3 interval lead.

Early in the second half Termon pushed forward and forced two excellent saves from Linda Martin. The Donegal champions then had midfielder Emer Gallagher sin binned in the 9th minute. Mc Laughlin closed the gap with two excellent points however the holders Donaghmoyne then hit three points in a row through Mc Connell(2) and Cora Courtney to lead by five points with 15 minutes remaining.

In the final quarter Therse Mc Cafferty, Sharon Mc Laughlin and Sharon Courtney all received their marching orders but the real story of the last quarter was Donaghmoynes inability to score while Termon added 2-1. Captain Maureen O Donnell pointed a free and then Rosin Friel netted after a super run with 58 minutes on the clock. Just a point separated the sides and it looked like Donaghmoyne would survive the scare but in the fourth minute of injury time All Star nominee Mc Laughlin won a high ball rounded the Donaghmoyne defence and blasted to the net.

In the All Ireland semi final Termon will have home advantage against Munster champions Inch Rovers. The Cork outfit defeated Waterfords Ballynacarbry in a replay last night (Saturday).

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Ulster Intermediate Club Ladies Football Final:
St. Galls 3-8 Truagh 2-5

Antrim County champions St. Galls had six points to spare over Truagh in the Ulster intermediate final played at the excellent Na Fianna Club grounds in Coalisland earlier today (Saturday).

Truagh struck first as Natasha Mohan pointed in the 8th minute however this point was quickly cancelled with a sweet strike from Niamh Mc Kernan. In the 10th minute Mohan was on target again however this time she found the net after linking brilliantly with her younger sister Caoimhe. St. Galls now picked themselves up and hit the next four scores, a goal and three points. Firstly Eimear Gallagher fired over a free and then in the 12th minute Maorisa Mc Gourty shot was deflected into the net. Mc Kernan and Mc Gourty then added points before St. Galls midfielder Shauneen Mc Gourty was sin binned. With the Belfast midfielder off the field Truagh scored a couple of points through Eileen Mc Kenna and Caoimhe Mohan however a third point from Mc Kernan helped St. Galls to a 1-5 to 1-3 interval lead.

Mc Kernan then hit the first score of the second half but a goal from Caoimhe Mohan in the 37th minute leveled the game. Truagh Captain Lisa Mc Kenna then put her side in front as she pointed however the lead was short lived as player of the match Michelle Drayne expertly despatched a penalty to the net. Things then got worse for Truagh as Rachael Mc Kenna was sin binned. Further points from Eimear Gallager and Maeve Mc Curdy put St. Galls four ahead. With six minutes remaining Shauneen Mc Gourty was sent off for her second yellow card offence. Rachael Mc Kenna closed the gap to three with a nice score however with just seconds left on the clock Megan Donnelly netted for St. Galls third major and more importantly a six point win for the Ulster champions.

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Ulster Junior Club Ladies Football Final:
St. Endas 2-8 Ballinascreen 1-5

St. Endas, Omagh lifted the Ulster junior title at the expense of Ballinascreen at Coalisland today (Saturday)

The Tyrone champions had a dream start. Terri Mc Cullagh pointed and then Carra Mc Crossan goaled. St. Endas remained on top and further points followed from Emma Collins and Mc Crossan before Ballinscreens Kirsty Mc Cullagh opened her sides account with a 24th minute point. Terri Mc Cullagh then added another two points and just when it looked like St. Endas were going to run away with things Dania Donnelly pointed and Kathryn Mc Namee goaled to leave the half time score 1-5 to 1-2 in favour of the Red Hand champs.

Early in the second half Dania Donnelly and Sarah Mc Allister fired over to leave just a point between the sides. Despite lots of possession St. Endas were having trouble getting scores. Haley Ballard and Emma Collins did manage to point but the biggest cheer of the afternoon was when substitute and former Tyrone ace Michaela O Neill pointed late on. Kathryn Mc Namee fired over very late for Ballinscreen however with just seconds left on the clock Cara Mc Crossan hit her sides second goal to help secure a St. Enda’s victory.