U16 ladies get defence of their title off to a positive start

Ulster U16 Ladies Football Platinum Championship

Cavan 2-10

Armagh 1-4

Aideen Coyle

Cavan U16s travelled to Armagh on Sunday afternoon to begin their defence of their Ulster platinum title. Cavan U16s have been the leading side in the competition for the past number of years claiming back to back All Ireland titles at this grade and this year under the management of Michael Lee look to capture their fourth consecutive Ulster title.

The defence of their title got off to a strong start on Sunday taking a seven-point lead at half time after keeping the hosts scoreless for the opening half in McKeever Park. Two timely second -alf goals from captain Abby Reilly and Etain Higgins ensured Cavan would take maximum points from the round one clash after an all-round dominant display.

Reilly and Higgins were the standout performers in attack for the Breffni ladies finishing with a combined tally of 2-09 with Ballyhaise’s Doireann Brady contributing the sole other score. However, in truth it was a comprehensive team performance with Cavan winning their personal battle all across the field for the majority of the round one clash.

Knockbride clubwoman Abby Reilly opened the scoring in the second minute followed by a well-struck effort from Brady after excellent play from Shonagh Brennan and Gia McCabe. A double from the boot of the excellent Etain Higgins put four between the sides as the Orchard County struggled to break through a tight and tenacious Cavan backline.

Reilly added a further two points to her tally before Higgins pointed her third of the half to open up a seven-point lead at half time.

Lauren McAlinden opened the hosts scoring moments after the restart, but her effort was almost instantly cancelled out by another from Reilly who continued to lead the lines for Cavan. With ten minutes played in the second half Lily McBennett rattled the back of the Cavan net to reduce the deficit to four points and give her side a momentary lifeline.

However, Cavan made the perfect response netting one of their own less than a minute later as Abby Reilly made no mistake from the penalty spot. McAlinden raised her second white flag midway through the half.

Higgins replied with another fine score from an acute angle, but the home side kept battling adding a further two scores in quick succession from substitute Ciara O’Hanlon and Jessica McCreesh.

With five points separating the sides Cavan finished the tie strong with Reilly and Higgins once again contributing vital scores as Armagh failed to add to their tally. Reilly fired over her fifth of the game followed by her team’s second goal coming from the boot of Higgins to seal an opening round victory for the side.

Next up for the girls is a home game against Derry on March 2. Derry opened their campaign at the weekend with a draw at home to Donegal in a low scoring encounter, 1-0 to 0-9.

Cavan: Margaret Smith, Holly Forde Peat, Annie Crowe, Clodagh Morris, Aimee Cunningham, Gia McCabe, Ciara Brennan, Shonagh Brennan, Emilija Andriuskaite, Jane Hetherton, Abby Reilly 1-05, Maria Lynch, Etain Higgins 1-04, Katie McGahern, Doireann Brady 0-01

Subs used: Sorcha Farrelly for C. Morris, Erelle O’Sullivan for E. Andriuskaite, Aoife Rogers for A. Cunningham, Lola Matthews for J. Hetherton

Armagh: Connie Havern, Aoife Mackle, Blaithin Carragher, Zara Dolan, Lily Rafferty, Aoife Hagan, Olivia Reynolds, Erin McCann, Cassie Henderson, Lily McBennett 1-00, Charlotte Havern, Jessica McCreesh 0-01, Abigail McMahon, Cara McGeary, Annie McGeown

Subs used: Lauren McAlinden 0-02, Ciara O’Hanlon 0-01

Ref: Oliver McKenna