U14 ladies enjoy impressive win over Armagh
Ladies football
Aideen Coyle at Fay Park
After a mixed run of form in the opening rounds of the Ulster Festival of Football Cavan U14s, under the joint-management of Neil Kelly and Debbie Lee Gaffney, hosted Armagh and Derry on Saturday in the final round of the competition to try and cement their places further up the table.
In the opening round of the day the young Breffni ladies got off to the dream start with a hard-fought victory over Armagh before suffering a one-goal defeat to Platinum finalists, Derry, in the final game of the group stages.
Cavan opted to play with the wind in the opening half and took full advantage of the elements, leading 2-8 to 0-2 at the break. Despite a second-half comeback from the visitors, Cavan pushed on in the closing stages to take the victory.
Cavan made the best possible start to the tie hitting 2-2 without reply early on. Bailieborough girl Laila Cooney hit two goals inside the opening two minutes after good work Sophie Lyons. Two points from Áine Harney left Cavan ahead by eight before Armagh opened their account in the 5th minute with two quick-fire points of their own.
A brilliant dispossession in defence from Ciara Rudden and strong run from Saoirse McNulty created a third for Harney as Cavan’s hardworking backline prevented any further scores. Cavan in contrast finished with a flurry adding five more to their tally to lead by twelve at the break.
Brilliant goalkeeping from Caitlin Nolan and an outstanding block from Nadine McKenna seconds apart on Leah Fegan kept daylight between the sides as Laila (two), Harney and Lily Ferguson pointed the closing scores of the half for the hosts.
Nolan was once again called into action early after the resumption this time to deny the lively Ava O’Neill a goal. However, Armagh continued to push after the restart and hit 2-2 of their own without reply to narrow the deficit to four points. Goals from O’Neill and Grace Stewart brought their side back into the tie but only momentarily as Cavan made the perfect response with a goal of their own.
With nine minutes on the clock in the second half Cooney completed her hat-trick after a brilliant run from Andie Forde Peat. Two more quickfire goals a minute apart from Ferguson and Lyons once again extended the lead as Cavan retook control of the tie. As full-time approached, the sides traded a point apiece with McKenna once again superbly denying Armagh a score with a brilliant block in the closing minute.
Saturday’s results leave Cavan fifth on the table and currently in an Ulster Silver final. However, there is one more round of games remaining between Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh which will decide the final standings.
Cavan U14 panel: Courtney Cadden, Ellen Monaghan, Nadine McKenna, Saoirse Lynch, Isobel Wynne, Andie Forde Peat, Ella Gilsenan, Saoirse McNulty, Aine Harney, Elsie McEvoy, Lily Morgan, Lara Cosgrove, Leah Byrne, Lauren Kinkade, Aoife O’Reilly, Riona Crowe, Laila Cooney, Freya Caffrey, Sophie Lyons, Lily Ferguson, Kiera McEnroe, Ciara Rudden, Aimee Keating, Pearl Gilmartin