U16 ladies make it four-in-a-row Ulster titles

Ulster U16 Ladies Platinum final

Cavan 3-11

Tyrone 2-05

Aideen Coyle at Brewster Park

Cavan U16s went in search of a fourth consecutive Ulster ‘A’ title on Sunday afternoon. The team enjoyed an almost perfect run in group two of the competition, suffering just one loss to Donegal in the final round with a spot in the Platinum final already secured. Standing in their way was a Tyrone side who topped group one unbeaten with four wins from four.

With eight minutes on the clock, the sides were level 1-01 apiece, but a superb twelve minutes of brilliance from the Breffni ladies, which saw them hit 1-06, opened up a commanding lead at half-time. A third goal in the second half from Doireann Brady helped her side to a deserving victory.

Cavan were full value for their victory, dominating large periods of possession in the opening half. A quickfire goal from Crosserlough woman Maria Lynch and a point from captain Abby Reilly saw the Cavan side race into an early lead before Tyrone struck back with 1-01 of their own to draw level. However, this was the only time the sides would be level, as the reigning champions hit 1-06 without reply to open up a lead they would hold for the remainder of the tie.

Points from midfielder Emilija Andriuskaite and corner-back Holly Forde Peat, after a strong run forward, put Cavan two ahead before the excellent Doireann Brady fired to the bottom corner of the Tyrone net with her first of two goals. A minute later, Brady added a point to her tally after a brilliant turnover in defence from player of the match Aimee Cunningham.

A hat-trick of points from Brady, Reilly, and Aoife Rogers put their side nine ahead with twenty minutes played in the first half. Having gone over fifteen minutes without a score, Tyrone hit the final score of the half as Aine Nelis pointed a brilliant effort from distance to leave the score 2-07 to 1-02 at the break.

Ahead by eight, Cavan fired over the opening point of the second half within seconds of the restart as midfielder Andriuskaite pointed her second. Tyrone’s Hannah Meegan instantly cancelled out the score at the other end. With five minutes on the clock, Abby Reilly showed her class with an excellent long-range effort after playing a clever one-two with clubmate Aoife Rogers and followed this up with a converted free to put ten between the sides.

To their credit, Tyrone battled hard and set up an exciting finish to the tie after hitting 1-02 in quick succession. A goal from substitute Meegan and points from Nelis left for a nervy conclusion in Brewster as Cavan were forced to defend for large periods of time. However, they did so superbly with Gia McCabe, Annie Crowe, and Aimee Cunningham making some outstanding tackles to deny further scores.

At the other end, captain Reilly continued to lead by example, hitting another outstanding score from distance as the also excellent Gia McCabe won Lonergan’s kickout in the build-up to relieve the pressure. As the game drew to a conclusion, Reilly turned provider for the game’s final score as Doireann Brady finished a fine performance with a second well-taken goal to seal victory for Cavan, who now look to defend their National title.

Cavan: Ayeshia Lonergan, Holly Forde Peat (0-01), Annie Crowe, Sorcha Farrelly, Aimee Cunningham, Gia McCabe, Ciara Brennan, Shonagh Brennan, Emilija Andriuskaite (0-02), Doireann Brady (2-02), Abby Reilly (0-05, 1f), Katie McGahern, Maria Lynch (1-00), Aoife Rogers (0-01), Ellie Reilly

Subs used: Erelle O’Sullivan for S. Brennan, Lola Matthews for A. Rogers, Jane Hetherton for E. Reilly

Tyrone: Minnie McCallan, Cathy Ann McCrory, Caoimhe Kerr, Caitlin McCarron, Ava Marley, Therese Loughran, Ava Tracey, Clara McCullagh, Aine McCullagh, Niamh Hetherington, Rosie McCallan, Aine Nelis, Lauren O’Neill, Katie Marley, Dana Coyle

Subs used: Hannah Meegan for A. Nelis, Katie Rose Mallon for R. McCallan

Ref: David Hurson (Monaghan)