Team of the Year Finalist: Cavan U16 ladies earn magnificent success
Cavan U16 ladies footballers enjoyed a magnificent campaign culminating in a glorious success last July as they claimed the All-Ireland ‘A’ title in a replayed final against Munster giants Cork. Having beaten Monaghan in the Ulster final, Cavan saw off Connacht champions Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final in St Faithleach’s GAA, Roscommon.
First-half goals from forwards Clodagh Clarke and Ella Sheridan helped Cavan into a four-point lead at half-time. And after the break, Kate Fegan raised another green flag as Mick Flynn’s Cavan got the better of Mayo in a thrilling encounter on a 3-10 to 1-10 scoreline. In the All-Ireland final, Cavan were aiming to win this title for the first time since 1977 as they met Cork in Clara, Co Offaly.
Cork were the more clinical side in the opening half with leading scorer Eabha O’Donovan firing them to a three-point lead at the break. However, Cavan came out fighting in the second half and a Kate Fegan strike late in the tie looked to have given Cavan the win but a late equaliser from the Cork girls forced a replay.
The sides met again at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, with Cavan running out 2-13 to 1-13 victors on this occasion. Cavan got off to a blistering start, scoring two goals in just 11 minutes - Ella Sheridan ('9), and Lauren Miney ('11) - but Cork knuckled down and composed themselves to pull ahead with Eabha O'Donovan in sensational form throughout.
It meant Cavan went into the half-time break behind by four (1-9 to 2-2). Cavan though remained in touching distance and the game turned on a pivotal moment in the Cavan box. In the 51st minute, with Cavan a point behind, Player of the Match Fainche Higgins pulled off an incredible double save, the first from a penalty.
It gave the blue and whites the impetus to push forward with determination, and Cavan tied the match before seeing out the game with three crucial scores in a row from Mia Lynch. This was a momentous achievement for the Cavan girls and their management as they ran out deserving victors, playing superb football along the way.
The winning team in the final replay was: Fainche Higgins, Kaitlyn Cahill, Cora McDonnell, Kristina Grigorenko, Ailbhe Kennedy, Katie Mai Reilly (C), Caitlin Crowe, Emilia Mussi, Lauren Miney (1-00), Ruby Gilmartin (0-01), Ella Sheridan (1-03 1-01f) , Kate Fegan, Mia Lynch (0-07 6f), Clodagh Clarke, Katie O’Meara (0-01). Subs used: Elsie Moffitt for C. Crowe, Holly McPhillips for R. Gilmartin