Moville oh so close to Ulster title win
GAA - VHI Healthcare Ladies Ulster Senior Club Championship Final
Moville 0-5 Donaghmoye (Monaghan) 0-5
MOVILLE and Donaghmoyne must do it all again after playing out a low scoring draw at a very wintry Pearse Park, Galbally on Sunday afternoon.
Monaghan champions Donaghmoyne started as strong favourites but Moville had not read the script and should have took the title home with them. The question now is have they missed their chance. The Donegal girls had a glorious opportunity in the final minutes but wasted it with their 10th wide of the game.
Conditions were terrible with a strong wind and driving rain as well as hailstones and thunder and lightning. Both sides struggled to come to terms with the condition but it was Moville that coped the better with the ball handing and overall skill. Their short passing and running game suiting the terrible conditions.
At the back Sarah Faulkner and Ciara Hegarty were outstanding while Aoife Hegarty shown bright at the centre of the park. Up front Niamh Hegarty was the Moville playmaker and along with Maresa McGettigan and Trease Doherty they give the Donaghmoyne defence plenty of problems.
With the wind at the backs Moville took the game to their opponents from the start. The Donegal champions appearing in their first ever Ulster decider hit three wides and dropped another effort into the ‘keepers hands inside the opening five minutes. They finally opened the scoring on seven minutes when team captain Aoife Hegarty spilt the posts.
Moville continued on the offensive and extended their lead through substitute Aisling Newton and a wonderful score from Maresa McGettigan. Donaghmoyne opened their account on 18 minutes with a fine strike from Catriona McConnell. This was quickly cancelled out by Treasa Doherty to reopen the the point advantage.
Scores were few and far between. Catriona McConnell hit a free to leave two between them with still six minutes of the half remaining. That was to be the final score of the half but Moville had a major let off when Angela Lennon crashed an effort against the bottom of the post.
Leading by two points Moville faced into the inclement conditions after the break. However they started the better but were off target with two efforts inside the opening two minutes. Gradually Donaghmoyne got on top but shot six wides in a row. Moville weathered the strom with some outstanding defending with Ciara Hegarty in particular catching the eye. The Donegal girls also pulled wing half forward Anita Doherty back as an extra defender for the second period.
Nine minutes into the half a strong jinking run from Ciara Hegarty took a fine save out of ‘keeper Linda Martin. A minute later and her sister Niamh struck over a free beautifully from the ground. This was to be their only score of the half. As the game went on Donaghmoyne began to peg Moville back.
With still nine minutes remaining the sides were level with Catriona McConnell (2 frees) and Angela Lennon raising the white flags. Both sides pushed for the winners as conditions worsened but neither could find the all important score and they must meet again on Saturday back in Galbally at 2:30pm.
Moville: Emma Cavanagh, Gemma Faulkner, Sarah Faulkner, Loirin Melarky, Aoife McLaughlin, Ciara Hegarty, Deirdre Foley, Aoife Hegarty (0-1), Maria Faulkner, Anita Doherty, Niamh Hegarty (0-1, f), Niamh McLaughlin, Stacey Cavanagh, Maresa McGettigan 90-1), Treasa Doherty (0-1)
Subs: Aisling Newton (0-1) for S Cavanagh, Stacey Cavanagh for M Faulkner
Donaghmoyne: Linda Martin, Joanne Geoghan, Michelle Grimes, Elaine Martin, Annette Duffy, Fiona Courtney, Joanne Courtney, Amanda Casey, Sharon Courtney, Lorraine Daly, Angela Lennon (0-1), Lisa Kingham, Catriona McConnell (0-4, 3f), Niamh Lynch, Cora Courtney
Subs: Eileen McElrot for A Duffy, Hazel Kingham for N Lynch, Majella Woods for L Kingham
Referee: Eugene O’Hare (Down)
