Ulster final awaits superb Lurgan ladies after statement win

Ulster Club SFC semi-final

Lurgan 2-14

Termon (Donegal) 0-5

Aideen Coyle at Dolan Park

Lurgan ladies created more history on Sunday afternoon as they booked their place in the clubs first ever Ulster Senior Club Championship final with a commanding victory over two-time champions, Termon. Anthony Brady’s side were full value for their victory with an utterly dominant display seeing them into the final with 15 points to spare at the full-time whistle.

The Cavan champions led by four at half-time but once again kicked on after the break, outscoring the visitors 2-7 to 0-2 in the second half to ease to victory. A 16th minute penalty goal from Aoife Brady after Emma Tolan was fouled in the square and a 27th minute strike from Catherine Dolan were key in an all-round impressive performance which saw the Lurgan backline keep Termon to five scores, all coming from Geraldine McLaughlin close-range frees.

The sides traded the opening scores of the contest and were level twice inside the opening four minutes. Donegal stalwart Geraldine McLaughlin, who was well marshalled by youngster Cora McDonnell, opened the scoring with a point free which was instantly cancelled out by one from Aoife Brady following a foul on Eabha Hayes. McLaughlin pointed her second from a similar area before Lurgan hit four on the bounce.

Catherine Dolan fisted over from close range to go level for the second and final time in the clash as the hosts ran supreme from here on in. A turnover from Sinead Kelly on Emer Friel led to a brilliant point from Eimear Corcoran, giving Lurgan the lead for the first time. Two more dispatched frees from Aoife Brady opened the lead up to three with a quarter played in Dolan Park.

A foul on Ciara McGarvey led to McLaughlin’s third free, her sides final score of the half in the 18th minute as Lurgan finished the half with two of their own. Lurgan’s hardworking backline averted any danger for the remainder of the half with a vital interception from Emma Tolan and brilliant block from Kristina Grigorenko on McGarvey some key defensive moments in the closing stages of the first half.

A foul on Ciara Tolan led to Kacey McDermott’s opener with the final point of the half going to Emma Tolan after Ciara Brady once again broke down a Termon attack at midfield setting Tolan on her way to leave her side ahead 0-07 to 0-03 at half time.

Termon failed to close the deficit after the resumption with two early shots from McLaughlin and McGarvey dropping safely into the hands of Lurgan’s Evelyn Baugh. While at the opposite end Emma Tolan started the half brightly, penetrating the Donegal backline on several occasions with another Aoife Brady free resulting from a foul on the attacker in 5th minute to open the halves scoring.

Five minutes later a brilliant tackle from the hardworking Niamh Tolan set her sister Emma on another attack, the result a scoreable free for Kacey McDermott with midfielder Megan Ryan shown a yellow card also. Lurgan capitalised on the numerical advantage opening up a nine-point lead midway through the half as Emma Tolan was bundled over in the square by Evelyn McGinley.

Aoife Brady stepped up to the spot and sent the spot kick low into the bottom corner to open up an eye-catching lead. At the other end Termon continued to become frustrated by the tenacious Lurgan defending with all six defenders winning their personal battles. Still chasing their opening score a fantastic Sinead Kelly block denied McLaughlin from play but moments later the full forward pointed from a free to open up their account.

However, this didn’t shift momentum as the hosts kicked a further 1-5 on the trot. Aoife Brady pointed a free followed by the insurance goal in the 27th minute from Dolan. A brilliant turnover from team captain Eimear Corcoran sent Dolan on her path to goal with the experienced forward making no mistake in front of goal hitting the roof of Orla Corry’s net.

Niamh Tolan topped off an all-round impressive display with a point followed by Corcoran’s second and Aoife Brady’s final point of the day. As the game drew to a conclusion McLaughlin hit her fifth free followed by the final score coming from substitute Shannah Galligan.

Lurgan now look ahead to the Ulster final on Sunday 17th November where they will take on holders Clann Eireann (Armagh), details TBC.

Lurgan: Evelyn Baugh, Meabh Kelly, Cora McDonnell, Kristina Grigorenko, Sinead Kelly, Ciara Brady, Eimear Corcoran 0-02, Eabha Hayes, Niamh Tolan 0-01, Micaela Doonan, Ciara Tolan, Emma Tolan 0-01, Catherine Dolan 1-01, Kacey McDermott 0-02 (2f), Aoife Brady 1-06 (1-05f)

Subs: Caoimhe Halpin for E. Hayes, Shannan Galligan 0-01 for K. McDermott

Termon: Orla Corry, Aibhe McDaid, Niamh Friel, Chelsea Gorman, Niamh Bonner, Evenlyn McGInley, Shannon McLaughlin, Emer Friel, Megan Ryan, Jodie McFadden, Roisin Friel, Anna Gallagher, Ciara McGarvey, Geraldine McLaughlin 0-05 (5f), Roisin McCafferty

Subs: Jenny McGettigan for N. Bonner, Siobhan Cameron for A. Gallagher, Lauren Gallagher for R. Friel, Sophie Curran for M. Ryan

Ref: Oliver McKenna (Tyrone)