Loreto make it four in a row

Ulster Ladies Football Schools U20 A final

Loreto College, Cavan 2-9

Our Lady's, Castleblayney 0-10

Loreto Cavan were the deserving victors of the MFC Ulster Ladies PPS U20A Final over old rivals Our Lady’s Castleblayney in the Peace Link, Clones last Friday. Both schools brought enthusiastic supporters to the game contributing to an intense and thrilling atmosphere.

Loreto started strongest, with a magnificent left-footed effort from player of the match and joint captain Gemma Beatty finding the back of the net with less than five minutes on the clock. Castleblayney responded strongly with three points on the trot to level matters. Multiple efforts from Castleblayney to break the deadlock were denied by Loreto’s defence lead by Lucy Crowe and Hannah Smith.

Very little separated the two sides at the opening water break with the Monaghan side taking a one point advantage. However, the reigning champions went through the gears in the second quarter and attacked in numbers against a defensive Castleblayney team.

The Cavan side got their reward moments before half time as Lucy Crowe added to Loreto’s goal tally with a long range effort. Loreto took a four-point lead at half time thanks to first half points from Aine Smith, Gemma Beatty, Ella Boylan and Deribhle Lynch.

The second half seen the introduction of Ellie Brady and Sarah Clarke for Sarah Cullivan and Laura Galligan who both put in a tremendous shift in the forward line. Loreto’s defence continued to keep out the Castleblayney attack with vital interceptions and dispossessions from Maeve Young and Grainne Cahill keeping the opposition goalless.

The girls in maroon put Castleblayney under great pressure and were rewarded with scores from Ella Boylan and Aine Smith. Caoimhe Maguire who spent a lot of the game as an extra defender cleaned up loose ball in the Loreto backline to great effect while Tara McAnenna and Emma McIntyre covered massive ground and transitioned the ball from the back line to the forward line.

Loreto continued to work hard throughout the rest of the second half led by goalkeeper Aine Brady keeping a clean sheet and showing great composure throughout the whole game. Substitutes Emma Keogan and Roisin Gunn were introduced to the game and added speed and strength to the Loreto side. Loreto held on to their five-point lead during the dying stages of the game to claim their 4th consecutive title.

Joint captains Clodagh Kennedy and Gemma Beatty led by example throughout the game showing great leadership and accepted the cup on behalf of their team with the Belturbet woman also picking up the player of the match award.

The Cavan side march on and will now look forward to playing the Connacht champions in the All-Ireland semi-final later this month.

Loreto College, Cavan: Aine Brady, Caoimhe Maguire, Hannah Smith, Meave Young, Grainne Cahill, Lucy Crowe, Clodagh Kennedy, Deirbhile Lynch, Tara McAnenna, Gemma Beatty, Aine Smith, Sarah Cullivan, Ella Boylan, Laura Galligan, Emma McIntyre

Subs used: Sarah Clarke,  Ellie Brady, Roisin Gunn, Emma Keogan