AIB ULSTER JUNIOR CLUB FINAL

Cavan Gaels v Killeevan Sarsfields

The first of our 3 finals this weekend sees the Breffni junior champions, Cavan Gaels play the Farney winners, Killeevan Sarsfields. This could be deemed a local derby as less than twenty miles separates the two sides.

Cavan Gaels Ulster campaign started on the road in County Down where they overcame the challenge of Teconnaght 3-8 to 1-8. That victory set up a semi-final clash with Drumragh.

The semi final was a battle and a half. Both sides gave it everything and after sixty minutes the sides couldn’t be separated. The full-time score was 2-7 apiece. Extra time proved just as enthralling. The sides traded scores however in injury time in the second period of extra time, Katie Leddy fired over a free to give the Gaels a 3-11 to 3-10 victory.

While Leddy was the hero of the moment, there were also noteworthy performances from Sarah Clarke who just gets better with every game she plays and Marian Mc Guinness, the ex-Armagh County player who has Ulster club experience with Carrickcruppen.

Killeevan Sarsfield’s road to the final has been a wee bit less dramatic. Two homes games ensured massive support and the girls to date have been outstanding. Aidee Little has been with the squad for 5 years and all the hard work is proving fruitful as they landed not only the Monaghan championship title but the Division 3 League crown as well.

In the quarter final against Naomh Columba, Killeevan took a while to settle but went in at the break leading 1-4 to 0-4. Two additional goals followed in the second half as the Monaghan champs went on to win by four points, 3-5 to 0-10.

The semi-final seen John Mitchell’s travel to Newbliss. The Derry champs came in as favourites having won their preliminary game and quarter final. They say goals wins games and, on the day, Sarsfield’s hit six, with 17-year-old Karyn Mc Ginn netting a hatrick as her side went on to win 6-6 to 0-10.

Leigha Mc Dermott, Emma Corley, Aoibhe Lynch and Aine Deery have been solid throughout the campaign. The team are super fit and have leaders all over the pitch. They have no super stars, just a squad of hard-working honest players captained by Katelyn Greenan.

This one is impossible to call but one thing for sure is that the winner will give plenty of intermediate teams a run for their money in 2026.

The Ulster minor club quarter finals are scheduled for Sunday.

The pairings are as follows:

St. Ergnats, Moneyglass have defeated the AIB Senior club champions Clann Eireann in a tight game played in Lurgan this afternoon.

The foundation for victory was two first half goals from Leah Stewart and Bronagh Devlin which helped the Antrim champions to a 2-3 to 0-7 half time lead. The game remained tight in the second half with just three points scored however the Moneyglass outfit held on for a 2-5 to 0-8 win.

In the final which will be played on Sunday 16th November Moneyglass will play Errigal Ciaran.

The Tyrone champions trailed Lurgan (Cavan) 0-8 to 0-4 at the break however they turned in a great second half display. Late in the half Aoife Horisk scored her fifth point to level matters and then in the dying minutes Maria Canavan sent over the winner.

The Ulster Club Championships continues this weekend with 3 games fixed for Saturday and 5 games scheduled on Sunday. Tickets for all games are available via http://www.universe.com and links to individual matches are available on the Ulster Ladies Facebook page.

SATURDAY all games at 2pm

Kileevan Sarsfields v Naomh Columba

Teconnaught v Cavan Gaels

John Mitchels Claudy v Lissummon

SUNDAY all games at 2pm

Devenish v Drumragh Sarsfields

Fanad Gaels v Knockbride

Eoghan Rua v Clann na Gael

Con Magess v Lisnskea

Brigid O’ Neills v Aghyaran