Clann Eireann Armagh 2-17
Lurgan (Cavan) 2-8
THERE was little doubt about Sunday’s senior club final at Omagh as Armagh’s Clann Eireann, from the town of Lurgan, eased to back to back titles with a comprehensive nine point win over Lurgan of Cavan.
Inspired by top performances from Niamh Murray, Tiarna Grimes, Cassie Henderson and full back Clodagh McCambridge, the Armagh champions bossed the game from the off and were never once in any danger of missing out on silverware.
Moving the ball throughout, this was a clinical display from the experienced champions who also showed off some of their emerging talent in the guise of Henderson who was a very effective attacker but it was the older hands who dominated with McCambridge and Player of the Match Niamh Henderson (pictured) playing some great ball with the Coleman sisters. This was quality stuff form Clann.
The Parish of Lurgan on the other hand rarely threatened in attack and were at times stretched at the back, their youthful exuberance not enough to carry them over the line on this occasion. There were moments of quality from them but it was never enough.
Off to a flier, Clann were seven points clear before Lurgan got off the mark. The impressive Murray stroked over four points from play with youngster Henderson, a late call up, and Grimes adding Armagh points.
Lurgan struggled but did find 1-2 before the break after Aoife Brady had registered their first score on the quarter hour. The goal came from Emma Tolan who stole in on 20 minutes to beat Catherine Lawless from close range. Clann pressed on, though, and led by seven at the break despite a late yellow for Donaghue.
After an early Niamh Henderson point, the Colemans, Dearbhla and Niamh teed her up for a stunning team goal and Clann found themselves 11 points clear midway through that second period when Murray out left collected and sent Eimear McConaghy in to finish to the net with style.
Credit to the Cavan side, they battled hard but there was a gulf in class. There was a second goal from the hard working Tolan while a couple of frees did cut the gap to seven but that was as close as they got in the latter stages. Murray booked her excellent afternoon with her seventh point before Grimes, who had been outstanding in attack, wrapped up the scoring.
A strong display from Greg McGonigle’s side who claim back to back Ulster titles in style but will want progression in Ulster.
Clann Scorers: N Murray 0-7, T Grimes 0-4, E Mc Conaghy 1-1, N Henderson 1-1C Henderson 0-3, N Coleman 0-1
Lurgan Scorers: E Tolan 2-0, C Tolan 0-4, A Brady 0-2 C Dolan 0-1, E Corcoran 0-1
Clann Eireann: C Lawless, C Henderson , C Mc Cambridge, G Carville, R Mulligan, M Mc Cann, D Coleman, N Coleman, C Towe, A Donahue, N Henderson 1-1, T Grimes, E Mc Conaghy, N Murray M Mc Cambridge.
Lurgan: C Brady, M Kellly, C Mc Donnell, K Grigorenko, S Kelly, C Brady, E Corcoran , E Hayes, N Tolan, M Doonan, C Tolan, E Tolan, C Dolan , K Mc Dermott, A Brady.
Referee: Dermott Mc Colgan (Donegal)
