Brilliant U14 side complete hat-trick for Cavan Ladies

Cavan 1-13

Down 2-4

A tremendous all-round team performance saw Cavan U14 ladies deservedly take the Ulster A title last Saturday in Killeeshil, Co Tyrone - and, remarkably, it marked a third provincial crown in the top grade for the county in as many weeks.
Cavan, under the guidance of David Daly, Mick Flynn, Tony O’Reilly, Maureen Lynch and Vanessa Brady, rallied from a six-point half-time defecit to turn the match on its head, winning the second half by 1-9 to 0-0 with a brilliant performance.
The Mourne girls were the better side early on and led by 1-3 to 0-4 at the end of the first quarter. They tacked on another free and then a fortuitous goal, which deceived Cavan goalkeeper Kate Kellegher, to go in at half-time holding a commanding 2-4 to 0-4 advantage.
However, the Breffni girls completely dominated the second half of the encounter. They took charge around the middle of the field and got off the mark first with a point from Leah Sheckleton.
Cavan then got the lifeline they were looking for when half-back Aine Corcoran powered forward to send a magnificent shot crashing to the net. The eventual winners overcame the loss of one player to the sin bin, and an injury sustained by Aisling Gilsenan (who was able to play on) as they upped the ante once more.
Leah Cribbin came into the midfield sector ten minutes into the second half which helped Cavan remain on top, and they overcame another blow when another player was harshly sent to the sin bin.
Cavan finally drew level at 2-4 to 1-7 through a Rebecca McLaughlin free and the same player added another point to send the Blues into the lead for the first time.
Cavan doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when half-forward Muireann Cusack sent over a neat point and they almost stole in for another goal, the woodwork coming to Down’s rescue as the clock ticked down.
However, talented left-footer Deirbhile McCaffrey grabbed the rebound and slotted over a crucial point - one of two super late points from the young Reds star - as Cavan kicked for home.
Leah Brady was next to raise a white flag and McCaffrey, back in the thick of the action, kicked the final score as Cavan ran out impressive victors.
The defence, marshalled superbly by team captain Eimear McEnroe, amazingly held Down to a solitary point in the second half. Cavan ladies’ astonishing run of success over the past month is proof of the foresight of the ladies board in putting in place a development squad system five years ago. Next up for the Breffni girls is a tilt with Munster giants Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final on July 14 (details TBC).
Interestingly, Clodagh and Niamh Keeneghan from Knockbride are sisters while Rebecca McLaughlin and Lauren McVeety are sisters of county players Jason and Dara respectively.

Flynn praises Cavan heart in tough contest

“It was looking dicey for a while but we pulled it together eventually,” said Cavan coach Mick Flynn.
Flynn was reluctant to single out any individuals for praise after what he said was an excellent all-round team performance.
“In the second half, it was a team performance. We played 20 minutes of the second half with 14 players. We got two sin bins, ten minutes each, one immediately after the other. When one was coming on, the other was going off. We were coming back at that stage anyway but the players really lifted it and put in a huge effort.
“Some of the backs showed so much heart and the forwards played like backs when Down had the ball. The mentality just changed completely, it was a credit to the players.”
Cavan had beaten Tyrone, Monaghan and Armagh en route to the final. While Monaghan gave Cavan a test for the first quarter of an hour on the 3G pitch, Cavan were comfortable winners of the other matches.

 

Cavan:
Kate Kellegher (Templeport), Eimear Bogue (Lacken), Emer McEnroe (Castlerahan), Katie Mulligan (Ballymachugh), Lauren McVeety (Crosserlough), Aine McGovern (Shannon Gaels), Aine Corcoran (Lurgan), Leah Brady (Arva), Clodagh Keeneghan (Knockbride), Muireann Cusack (Crosserlough), Michaella Fitzpatrick (Drumlane), Deirbhile McCaffrey (Cornafean), Niamh Keeneghan (Knockbride), Rebecca McLaughlin (Shannon Gaels), Aisling Gilsenan (Munterconnaught)
Subs:
Abie Sexton, Erin Longair, Muireann Smith, Roisin Barry