Lurgan add league title to championship crown

Division 1 league final

Lurgan 4-7

Killygarry 3-3

Aideen Coyle

The long-anticipated Division 1 league final took place on Sunday in Killinkere where county champions, Lurgan, took on Killygarry in a replay of the SFC semi-final. Killygarry advanced to the final with a win over Castlerahan/Denn six weeks previous while Lurgan, off the back of their strong provincial run, defeated Crosserlough in their last four clash the previous Sunday.

Played in difficult conditions, Lurgan had the advantage of the elements in the opening half and made use, taking a 3-4 to 2-1 lead at the break. Timely goals from Emma Tolan (two) and Aoife Brady paved the way for the county champions to finish the season with their second piece of silverware despite a gallant fight from Seamus Lynch’s side.

Killygarry started the tie with the opening point from Geraldine Smith which was cancelled out by an Emma Tolan strike after strong run from Catherine Dolan. In an end-to-end opening 10 minutes, which saw the teams level on three occasions, Niamh O’Shea fired Killygarry into a lead with the first of seven goals in the contest.

However, their lead was once again only momentarily as Aoife Brady replied with one of her own a minute later. The excitement continued in the 10th minute as a fortuitous goal from Emma Tolan put Lurgan ahead for the first time but within three minutes the challengers were back on level par as a long -ange shot from Geraldine Smith found its way into the Lurgan net.

The county champions, driven on in attack by Tolan and Catherine Dolan, finished the half strongly, registering 1-3 without reply. Killygarry’s Ailbhe Kennedy and Catriona Smith worked hard for their side but Lurgan’s defence held the opposition scoreless for the closing quarter of the first half with Ciara Brady and Micaela Doonan leading the charge.

Tolan and Dolan combined for the full-forward’s second point of the tie followed by her side’s third goal in the 25th minute as Tolan once again managed to find a way past Elaine Walsh.

Two well-taken scores from Aoife Brady left her side six points ahead at the break. With just seconds on the clock after the restart there was further daylight between the sides as half-time substitute Ciara Tolan made an instant impact firing to the net after sisters Niamh and Emma combined to win the throw-in.

Brady pointed another followed by a much-needed score from Niamh O’Shea after excellent work from Kennedy. O’Shea’s score came moments after Geraldine Smith was denied by a brilliant block by Sinéad Kelly.

Brady and Smith traded frees before Killygarry were dealt a blow as Kaioni Tuipuluto was shown a yellow card. Despite playing with a numerical disadvantage, Lynch’s side hit the next score as Deirbhile Lynch slalomed through the Lurgan defence before placing the ball to the net.

But this was all they could manage as the closing point of the game went to the excellent Catherine Dolan who was denied a goal by a brilliant save from Walsh, who palmed the forward’s shot over the crossbar.

Lurgan: Caitlin Brady, Meabh Kelly, Cora McDonnell, Sinead Kelly, Micaela Doonan, Ciara Brady, Eimear Corcoran, Eabha Hayes, Niamh Tolan, Caoimhe Halpin, Catherine Dolan 0-01, Katie Lynch, Shannah Galligan, Emma Tolan 2-02, Aoife Brady 1-04 (3f)

Subs used: Ciara Tolan 1-00 for K Lynch, Kacey McDermott for S Galligan, Ciara Brady for C Halpin

Killygarry: Elaine Walsh, Nicola Fortune, Clodagh Kennedy, Kaioni Tuipuluto, Maeve Young, Catriona Smith, Aoibheann Morrisson, Ally Cahill, Ailbhe Kennedy, Aisling Walls, Deirbhile Lynch 1-00, Sinead Levingstone, Niamh O’Shea 1-01, Geraldine Smith 1-02, Kayleigh Crammond

Subs used: Grainne Cahill for S Levingstone, Dearbhla Brady for N O’Shea