Ballymaguigan 6-4 Steelstown 3-10
BALLYMAGUIGAN claimed the Derry ladies senior title for the first time in their history in Owenbeg when they overcame the reigning champions after a thrilling clash that had just about everything.
What made this result even more remarkable was the fact the winners had lost the Intermediate final just six days earlier and only got word on Tuesday evening they would be contesting the senior decider.
They grabbed their second opportunity with both hands to turn their tears of despair into tears of joy.
Steelstown, winners of the Ulster intermediate title last year, raced 1-5 to 1-0 clear, Dara McKeever with the goal for the city side while Lauren Crozier was on target at the other end.
Kayla Letters found the net at the start of the second quarter before a sin bin for Caoimhe O’Kane set Steelstown back and Ballymaguigan took full advantage.
Erin Doherty was on the end of a great move for goal number three to edge the winners in front, a lead they were never to let slip again.
Then on the stroke of half-time both Lauren Crozier and Aoife McGlone struck further goals to leave it at the midway point Ballymaguigan 5-2, Steelstown 1-6.
McKeever and Emma Doherty hit early second half points to reduce the deficit to six but it could have been better with Seona Walls denying McKeever for a goal.
Ballymaguigan were much more compact as a defensive unit but always dangerous when they got the chances at the other end.
McGlone hit their sixth goal to move them nine clear. Emma Doherty was wide from the penalty spot but soon after Leah McGonigle did find the net from a second Steelstown penalty.
That had it back to five but two crucial frees from Anna Martin kept Ballymaguigan in control.
Steelstown had further goal opportunities, Walls again in action with a super save.
With the clock into injury time Steelstown got a third goal through Orla McGeough but this was Ballymaguigan’s evening and they are county champions.
Ballymaguigan: Seona Walls; Duvessa Quinn, Claire McCartney, Joanne Corr; Anna Mulholland, Nicole Nugent, Kate Gribben (0-1); Annie Crozier, Kayla Letters (1-0); Rachel Keenan, Anna Martin (0-3), Dervla Stinson; Erin Doherty (1-0), Lauren Crozier (2-0), Aoife McGlone (2-0). Subs: Jemma Shivers, Aoife McOscair
Steelstown: Lea Casey; Orlaigh McGough, Aoife McGough, Kate Harkin; Niamh Friel, Tara Burns, Eva Ferguson; Megan Devine, Katie Holly; Caoimhe O’Kane, Orla McGeough (1-0), Ciara McGurk (0-1); Leah McGonigle (1-2), Dara McKeever (1-2), Emma Doherty (0-5). Subs: Katherine Canavan, Anna Boyle.
Referee: Martin McErlain
