Gaels dethrone Lurgan in low-scoring minor final

Ladies Minor League Division 1 final

Cavan Gaels 0-5

Lurgan 0-3

Aideen Coyle at Kingspan Breffni 3G

The curtain came down on the Cavan ladies club season for 2023 on Sunday evening as Cavan Gaels took on the reigning Division 1 champions Lurgan in the final game of the season. This was the third time the side’s met this year with Lurgan winning the two prior meetings.

However, they would have to defend their title without key players Emma Tolan, Sinead Kelly and Megan Brady. Whilst Lurgan had a run in the Ulster campaign seeing them progress the whole way to the provincial final a week prior Cavan Gaels hadn’t played a competitive game since November 19 when they defeated Killygarry by 12 points to deservedly reach the minor final.

Sunday’s final was a low scoring encounter played in difficult, wet wintery conditions with only eight scores in total as both sides were guilty of missing several chances in front of goal. The Gaels took advantage of having the aid of a strong breeze in the first half to go in at the break three points ahead after Katie O’Meara gave an exhibition in free taking scoring all four of her side’s points in the opening half.

It took the defending champions 23 minutes to register a score in the first half as the town side opened up a three-point lead. O’Meara, Cavan Gaels sole scorer of the game, opened the games scoring in the 2nd minute from a free resulting from a foul on Sarah Clarke. Ten minutes later O’Meara hit her second and arguably her best score of the clash. Wind assisted the forward converted a free from 40 metres out to double her side’s lead.

Excellent defending from Katie Noble and Kristina Grigorenko ensured the deficit remained at two as Niamh Daly’s side struggled to get a foothold of the game playing against a strong breeze and a determined Cavan Gaels side.

With Lurgan failing to convert their chances at the opposite end O’Meara showed her class from the dead ball in the 22nd minute as she hit her third after a foul on the excellent Rebecca Boyle Drought. Nicole Smith won the resulting kickout with Eabha Hayes and Sydney Gregg combining to set up Shannah Galligan for Lurgan’s opening point of the game.

Lauren Sheridan was outstanding for Cavan Gaels and brilliant play from the corner back and Erin Carolan resulted in Karla Brady winning another scoreable free for O’Meara who converted at her ease to put her side ahead at the break 0-4 to 0-1.

Lurgan made two changes at the break with Ciara Brady and Emma Cullen coming into the forward line. Brady made a strong start as herself, and Gregg worked hard to overturn Sheridan which set up captain Caoimhe Halpin for her side’s second point of the game.

Despite both sides creating numerous attacks, the game went over 15 minutes without a score as both backlines worked tirelessly. Aoibheann Halpin made a fantastic block to deny Boyle Drought followed by another top-drawer block from Katie Lynch on Sarah Clarke, while Lauren Clarke made an equally as impressive tackle to deny Lynch minutes later at the opposite end.

Orlaith Callaghan came on for the leaders and almost made the perfect impact but was unfortunate to see her effort rebound off the crossbar. Minutes later, a driving run from Caoimhe Halpin set-up substitute Ciara Brady for a much-needed score to leave the minimum between the side’s with twenty minutes played. However, this was to be their sides final score of the game as Cavan Gaels continued to push for their opening score of the half.

Three consecutive wides from Aoife Monahan, Boyle Drought and O’Meara were followed by the final score of the game coming from the right boot of O’Meara in the 28th minute a point which could have very easily been a goal. O’Meara who had a brilliant battle with U16 county teammate Grigorenko ensured her side would finish the season with a well-deserved title, finishing with a personal tally of 0-5.

Lurgan: Carragh Reilly Brady, Nicole Smith, Kristina Grigorenko, Aoibheann Daly, Katie Lynch, Cora McDonnell, Aoibheann Halpin, Katie Noble, Caoimhe Halpin 0-01, Eabha Hayes, Onora Macken, Ella Morgan, Ellen Murray, Shannah Galligan 0-01 1f, Sydney Gregg

Subs : Emma Cullen for E. Murray, Ciara Brady 0-01 for E. Morgan

Cavan Gaels: Niamh Boyle Drought, Lauren Clarke, Clodagh Doyle, Lauren Sheridan, Einin Lawton, Erin Carolan, Ruby Tully, Emma McIntyre, Karla Brady, Rebekah Boyle Drought, Sarah Clarke, Aoife Monahan, Amber Dee Hanley, Katie O’Meara (0-05 4f), Leah Brady

Subs : Amber Dee Hanly for A. Monaghan, Nadia McDermott for R. Crotty