MURNAGHAN POINTS THE WAY

Five points from corner forward Cathriona Murnaghan and a player of the match performance from Rosie Courtney helped Donaghmoyne to their fifteenth Ulster AIB Senior Club title against a tough Moneyglass side.

The Monaghan champions were dealt a severe blow in the 8th minute when Amy Garland was retired with a serious knee injury. The first score of the game didn’t arrive until the 16th minute, a goal from the lively Leah Stewart. Cliona Griffin had done all the hard work, driving up the right wing and when she was challenged by the Donaghmoyne defence she slipped the ball low into space and Steward side footed it to the bottom corner.

In the 21st minute Moneyglass had Sarah O’Neill sin binned and from then until the half time whistle Donaghmoyne dominated. Murnaghan and Maria O’Neill traded points before the Farney champions hit 1-3 without reply, the goal an unstoppable shot from Rosie Courtney. Half time, Donaghmoyne 1-4 Moneyglass 1-1.

With the first attack of the second half Moneyglass should have goaled however Laura McCann sliced her effort wide. Lauren Garland extended Donaghmoyne’s lead with a nice point, but it was quickly cancelled with a Ruby McErlain over. Sharon Courtney then seen yellow (35th minute) and while off the field Moneyglass failed to capitalise and instead Cathriona Murnaghan fired over a couple of frees. Donaghmoyne were reduced to thirteen in the 43rd minute when Maeve Smyth seen red.

In the final quarter Prenter and Garland exchanged points and with time running out Moneyglass were thrown a lifeline. After consulting his umpires, the referee awarded St. Ergnats a penalty however Orlaith Prenter hit the shot low and wide of the post. When the final whistle went the Fontenoy’s had won by two.

Speaking after the game manager Ann Marie Burns couldn’t hold the tears back as she said, “I am so proud of the young girls, the older girls and the community. You are not entitled to win anything, you must work hard for it and this year we did and we have got out rewards”.

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)