Brilliant Drumlane land first senior title

Ladies SFC final

Lacken 1-10

Drumlane 3-11

Aideen Coyle at Kingspan Breffni

The biggest game of the Cavan ladies club calendar took place on Saturday evening in Kingspan Breffni between the novel pairing of Lacken and Drumlane. Seasoned campaigners Lacken were in search of their club’s seventh senior title whilst Drumlane were playing in their clubs first ever senior championship final.

When Lacken last won the title in 2020, Drumlane claimed the Intermediate title in that same year. A large crowd gathered in HQ for a highly anticipated encounter between the two inform championship side’s who knocked out reigning champions Lurgan and Crosserlough in their respective semi-finals.

In an exciting opening few minutes Cara Maguire had a goal opportunity blocked off the line by Lacken captain Aisling McInerny with the full forwards rebound shot going wide. Lacken capitalised on this and raced into a two-point lead with the opening two scores coming from Roisin O’Keeffe, one from play and one from a free after a foul on Josephine Maguire.

With eight minutes on the clock a second goal chance fell to Maguire after excellent build up play from Aine Reilly with the youngster making no mistake second time round firing to the net for the first of four goals in the tie.

Bronagh Sheridan and Erinn Galligan traded a point apiece as the minimum separated the sides’ midway through the half after a low scoring opening quarter. However, Drumlane playing with the wind, took full advantage of the elements and showed their class kicking 1-04 to Lacken’s single point in the closing 15 minutes.

Central to this dominance were Aine Reilly, Michaela Fitzpatrick and Ciara Fitzpatrick who put in exceptional shifts for the side. For Lacken Joanne Moore was the stand-out alongside O’Keeffe, with an excellent tackle from Moore denying Sheridan her second score in the 17th minute.

Drumlane’s full forward line of Maguire, Reilly and Niamh Brady were superb in the opening half with another goal chance coming to Niamh Brady who shot narrowly wide. However, Brady did break the deadlock minutes later with a bit of luck on her side as her long-distance shot dropped over the head of Catriona Leddy into the top corner of the net to boost Drumlane into a four-point lead.

Lacken replied with O’Keeffe’s third, a converted free after a foul on Maguire but this was their last of the half as Eamon Fitzpatrick’s side finished the half strongest with four on the bounce to lead by seven at the break.

A Bronagh Sheridan free was followed up by a point from Niamh Brady before Kiera Ward pointed an outstanding score from distance. Leddy was once again called into action to deny the lively and dangerous Brady with Sheridan pointing the final score of the half from a close range free to leave the half time score 2-05 to 0-04.

Drumlane showed their class, conditioning and composure after the restart kicking 1-03 in quick succession to open up a thirteen-point lead with just seven minutes on the clock. Maguire pointed the opening score after excellent build up from the hardworking Michaela Fitzpatrick.

With three minutes played Ward hit the back of the net for her side’s third goal after excellent build up play from Niamh Gunn and Tara McAnnena. Seconds later Ward was through on goal once again but this time shot wide. A foul on McAnnena led to Sheridan’s fourth of the tie, her third from a free. With Drumlane piling on the pressure a brilliant block from Niamh McInerney on Brady denied another score momentarily. But the resulting ball fell favourably to Cara Maguire who scored to push her side comfortably ahead.

Joanne Moore’s dispossession on Sheridan led to Lacken’s opening point of the half in the 12th minute. Moore played the ball to O’Keeffe who found Eimear Brady with the pass. Brady’s shot at goal was brilliantly saved by Helen Corcoran with Brady’s rebound shot sailing over the bar.

Lucy Crowe pointed a good score before a foul on danger woman O’Keeffe led to a penalty for Lacken midway through the half. Erinn Galligan stepped up and drove the ball low to the bottom corner of the net to reduce the deficit to eight, the closest it would be.

Bronagh Sheridan ended a twelve-minute dry spell with a score after great defending from midfielder Fitzpatrick, who worked tirelessly all game for Drumlane. Taliswoman and player of the match Sheridan pointed her sixth of the game in the 21st minute.

Lacken replied with two on the bounce from Maguire and an O’Keeffe free. As the game approached it’s conclusion free takers Sheridan and O’Keffee hit one apiece as Drumlane lifted the Michelle Keating Cup for the first time in their club’s history.

Fullback and club captain Ciara Brady accepted the cup from Cavan ladies chairman Philip Wilson as Bronagh Sheridan picked up the player of the match award finishing with seven points to her name on a momentous day for Drumlane ladies.

Lacken: Catriona Leddy, Aoife Crowe, Niamh McInerney, Marian McGuinness, Aisling McInerney, Joanne Moore, Lucy Crowe 0-01, Rosie Crowe McKeever, Josephine Maguire 0-01, Shona Smith, Erin Galligan 1-01, Katie Galligan, Emma Keogan, Eimear Brady 0-01, Roisin O’Keeffe 0-06 (4f)

Subs: Kate Riley for K. Galligan, Nicole Murray for S. Smith

Drumlane: Helen Corcoran, Aisling Flood, Ciara Brady, Niamh Gunn, Zara Fay, Tara McAnnena, Sarah Moran, Michaela Fitzpatrick, Irene Rose Monahan, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Bronagh Sheridan 0-07 (4f), Kiera Ward 1-01, Nimah Brady 1-01, Cara Maguire 1-02, Aine Reilly

Subs: Roisin Gunn for S. Moran

Referee: Yvonne Duffy