Stage is set for the 2024 ladies championship finals
- Aideen Coyle -
Ladies county finals day is one of the much anticipated dates in the Cavan LGFA and GAA calendars as it always serves up some interesting encounters and results. Last season, Cuchulainns stunned Cavan Gaels to capture the Junior title, Ballyhaise hit a last-gasp goal to defeat Mullahoran whilst Drumlane ladies made history capturing their club’s first ever senior championship title with a win over Lacken.
In the Keogan’s Imperial Senior Championship final Crosserlough set out to win their third title while the most decorated club in Cavan LGFA, Lurgan, are in search of their ninth county title. Very little separate sthe two clubs entering Saturday’s final (throw-in 4.45pm) with both sides full of county players, past and present, making for an interesting finale.
Kyte Powertech Intermediate championship final
The Intermediate final will be contested by the two up and coming sides in Cavan ladies football, Mullahoran and Knockbride. This will be a repeat of last year’s quarter final match which saw Mullahoran defeat Knockbride by four points after a thrilling last eight meeting. Interestingly, Knockbride also exited the championship the year before at the same hurdle after an extra time loss to Mullahoran.
Mullahoran enter the tie as the bookies’ favourites, having been beaten in the past two intermediate finals at the hands of Castlerahan/Denn and Ballyhaise. Not so long ago, 2019, the side contested the Senior Championship final losing out to Crosserlough before being relegated to intermediate the following season. This year the team, managed by local man Seanie Smith, was massively boosted by the return of AFLW star Aishling Sheridan and sister Mona Sheridan. The side booked their spot in the final with group stage wins over Bailieborough and Cornafean and a quarter-final win over Belturbet/Redhills. In the semi-final they avoided a second half scare from Kingscourt to run out seven-point winners to advance to their third consecutive championship final, last winning the title in 2014.
The side have a nice blend of youth and experience with eight underage county panelists including U16 All-Ireland-winning captain Emilia Mussi and goalkeeper Fainche Higgins who has established herself as one of the best goalkeepers not just in Cavan but across the country. Captain Sheila Reilly leads a strong defensive unit with county minor Aoibhinn Galligan enjoying a strong run at full-back while Annie Deneher and Mona Sheridan have been dominant in midfield linking up with a strong attacking line.
Knockbride, for their part, have in many people’s eyes been the dark horses of the competition, quietly going about their business and deservedly booking their place in their first final since winning the competition back in 2012. Five of the 2012 winning panel remain in Katie Rogers, Nicola Rogers, Leanne Clarke, Amie Lynch and Sarah McCabe, who captains the side to battle on Saturday. The team have gone unbeaten in this year’s championship campaign, building on a strong Division 2 league run which sees them awaiting the final post-championship. In the IFC they topped a strong group with wins over Ballymachugh and Kingscourt before convincingly defeating Cuchulainns in the quarter-final.
In the semi-final they took on neighbours Bailieborough and ran out two-goal winners after a hard fought contest.
They too have All-Ireland underage medallists in Katie Mai Reilly, Abby Reilly and Gia McCabe who have been consistent performers for the side while captain Sarah McCabe leads the way in a star-studded attack. At the opposite end, full-back Amie Lynch continues to prove she is one of the best number threes in the county with midfielder Janelle McCabe another pivotal player for the side.
Both teams have racked up huge scores in their four games to date with Knockbride registering 12-48 and Mullahoran hitting 12-58, making for an interesting battle on Saturday in HQ (2.30pm throw-in). Abby Reilly is the top scorer for Knockbride with an while-catching 4-15 to her name whilst Aishling Sheridan is the talliswoman for Mullahoran with a remarkable 3-30. Both sides have shown their ability to net goals so this could be key on Saturday but who will get the crucial scores to get their hands on the title?
The Cavan Crystal Hotel Junior Championship
The Junior Championship final will also be an interesting battle between local rivals Cavan Gaels and Butlersbridge who met previously in round one of the competition with Cavan Gaels grabbing the victory on that occasion. The ’Bridge have advanced to their first final since reforming their adult ladies team in 2020 having fallen at the semi-final stage for the past three seasons; the Gaels have reached a third consecutive championship final, falling at this stage of the competition to Lavey and Cuchulainns in 2023 and 2022. With this in mind the Gaels go into the tie as favourites having also claimed a Division 1 Minor League title last season.
However, they take on an up and coming Butlersbridge side who have plenty of championship experience in former county players Donna McKiernan and Gráinne Smith, who both know what it takes to win championship medals. The side, managed by local man David McEntee, will go into the final with confidence, despite carrying the underdogs’ tag.
Niamh McCorry is the side’s taliswoman alongside Kayla Bartley and Alannah McPhillips who have hit their fair share of goals between them. The team finished second in a highly-competitive group A before easing past the challenge of Arva/Killeshandra in the semi-final. With Shercock conceding the final group game, Butlersbridge have played just three championship games but scored a staggering 13-46, with McCorry contributing 5-20 of this total.
Cavan Gaels have continued their good run of form with an unbeaten championship campaign and will be keen to get their hands on the junior title at the third time of asking. Driven on from their minor success last season, youngsters Sarah Clarke, Katie O’Meara and Karla Brady lead the way in an attack which has registered a blistering 16-51 in their four games to date.
Defensively, they have conceded just two goals with goalkeeper Laura Lynch playing a key role in the side with her shot-stopping ability and excellent kick-outs.
Cavan Gaels, managed by the experienced Finian Farrell are a well-drilled, organised side who will enter Saturday night’s (7pm throw-in) tie keen to right the wrongs of last season.
Will it be third time lucky for Cavan Gaels or will Butlersbridge emulate the success of Cuchulainns last season and land championship success at the first time of asking?
Fixtures:
Saturday 28th September,
Kingspan Breffni
Keogans Imperial Senior
championship Final
Lurgan V Crosserlough 4:45pm
Referee: James Clarke
Kyte Powertech Intermediate Championship Final
Mullahoran V Knockbride 2:30pm
Referee: John Emo
The Cavan Crystal Junior
Championship Final
Cavan Gaels V Butlersbridge 7pm
Referee: Chris McCaffrey