Derry LGFA Outfield Junior B Football Championship Final
Kilrea 2-7 Steelstown Reserves 0-4
KILREA, in their first season fielding a senior side, made it the perfect start as they completed a double when they landed the Junior B championship at Owenbeg.
The Pearses led from start to finish with the experienced Karen Kielt leading the way, as the winners built up a 2-6 to 0-1 lead by the interval. However, they could only add a further point in the second half but as hard as Steelstown tried they could not claw that deficit back.
Karen Kielt, a winner of county and provincial titles with Glen had 1-1 on the board by the second minute, her goal coming when she combined with her sister Christina. The City girls’ only score of the half came from a Shannon McCartney free but they had had their opportunities too, with poor shooting letting them down and a wonderful save from Eimear Maguire denying Annie Duffy.
At the other end, Kilrea added a further 1-4 before the break, the goal coming on stroke of the half time whistle when Bronagh McNicholl gathered a Shanneen Donaghy effort that had dropped short. McNicholl also ratted the crossbar almost immediately afterwards.
To their credit, Steelstown give it a real go in the second half and kept Kilrea to just a single point – a free from Karen Kielt in the 62nd minute. However, over elaboration and miss-placed passes were to let them down in the final quarter. Their three second half points came from McCartney (frees) while substitute Caitlin McCafferty saw a goal bound effort expertly stopped by Karen Kielt.
Dual football and camogie star Kielt picked up the Player of the Match award finishing with a personal tally of 1-5. Also excellent for the winners were Bronagh McNicholl, Shauneen Donaghy and Daire McKenna. Steelstown had impressive displays from midfielders Annie Duffy and Nora Harkin, along with Ellie Williams and Shannon McCartney.
Kilrea: Eimear Maguire; Maria McKinney, Catherine McNicholl, Amy O’Boyle; Daire McKenna, Julie Ann Rainey, Caoimhe McGurk; Shauneen Donaghy (0-1), Kimberly Burke; Clodagh McAleese, Jessica Hickinson, Annie McGilligan; Karen Kielt (1-5, 0-3f), Christina Kielt, Bronagh McNicholl (1-1). Subs ised: Erin Magilligan, Jade Henry, Michaela Doherty, Dervla Thompson, Shannon McCloskey.
Steelstown: Bronach Crabtree; Carol Ann Gallagher, Ruagin Atkins, Rihianna Dobbins; Ella McBrearty, Emma Connolly, Grainne McGuiness; Annie Duffy, Nora Harkin; Ciara McWade, Ellie Williams, Ellen McArdle; Ciara Foley, Shannon McCartney (0-4, f), Sarah Hunter. Subs used: Eve Mallet, Caitlin McCafferty, Kayla NicAilin, Kiera McKeever, Saoirse Duggan
Player of the match Karen Kielt
