Doughty fires Virginia to Ulster crown

Ulster Schools 'C' final

Virginia College 3-12

Largy College 1-6

Virginia College were crowned U20 C Ulster champions last Thursday thanks to a dominant second half display which saw them hold Largy College from Clones to a single point at the Kingspan Breffni 3G. The sides had previously met in the group stage of the competition and it was the Monaghan side that came away with a narrow win on that occasion.

It was tit for tat in the first half in extremely cold conditions. Virginia played against the elements and managed to work themselves into a fou- point lead after 14 minutes. Largy pulled their way back into the game to leave the sides level at the break.

The opening scores of the game were a sign of things to come. Virginia captain and Player of the Match Aisling Doughty set the scoring off with a free quickly followed by a point from play by Sarah Tierney for Largy. A well taken point from corner forward Mairead Cusack gave the Clones school the lead in the third minute for the first time.

A second Doughty free into the wind leveled the match with five minutes played. Virginia, playing in their customary red and black, hit the front on the sixth minute when Doughty found Ciara Brady with a quick free and after an initial fumble of the ball, Brady gathered and blasted to the back of the net.

Sarah Tierney, who finished the game with four points, sent over her first free of the game but Virginia added two more points from Doughty to open a gap of four between the sides. Largy College, managed by county player Ellen McCarron, worked their way back into the match with a second Tierney free.

On the 18th minute Largy College midfielder Laura McFarland took advantage of a lapse in concentration in the Virginia defence and punished it with a well taken goal. The sides ended the first quarter level at 1-4 each to grab water after some wonderfully entertaining football.

Largy regained the lead for the second and final time on the resumption of play as Tierney was fouled and converted the dead ball. With the players getting used to the refereeing style and not making contact with the player in possession, frees began to dry up.

Virginia’s full back Sinead Kelly began to close down Sarah Tierney’s impact on the game, helped by Sydney Gregg at centre-back, greatly reducing Largy’s ability to get scores. The final score of the half saw Aisling Doughty convert a free to level the game at 1-5 apiece.

With the wind at their back, Virginia took control of the ball right from the throw-in. Early second half points from Doughty and Mia Farrelly gave them a two-point lead. The Tolan sisters, Emma and Niamh, had the better of the midfield battle which forced Largy short on their kick-outs. Virginia took advantage of this with points from Doughty and Niamh Tolan to hold a four point lead at the second water break.

In the final quarter, it was clear there was only going to be one winner. Two further points from the impressive Doughty either side of a Renee Ward goal left the Cavan side leading by nine points with as many minutes remaining.

Despite the wind picking up against them and the victory looking less likely, Largy continued to battle as Sarah Tierney sent over her fourth point of the game with three minutes of ordinary time remaining. The final say fittingly went to Aisling Doughty as she finished off the scoring with a goal and a point as Virginia’s counter-attacking game paid off.

Virginia will now prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final after the mid-term break. Cavan schools now hold two of the top three ladies U20 Ulster crowns after Loreto College’s A success and Breifni College will compete in the D final in the coming week.

Virginia College : Siofra McGeoghan, Meabh Kelly, Sinead Kelly, Kristina Grigenko, Katie Noble, Sydney Gregg, Michaela Fitzsimons, Emma Tolan, Niamh Tolan(0-1), Kate McCabe, Aisling Doughty(1-10,5f), Lily Maher, Renee Ward(1-0), Ciara Brady(1-0), Mia Farrelly(0-1)

Subs used : Lauren Smith, Ciara Hegarty

Panel: Lana Henry, Ella Smith, Roisin Flanagan, Ciara Brady (jnr), Jasine Bourgoin, Anita O’Reilly, Amy Smith, Eimear Daly, Nicole Montcho, Sinead Fitzsimons, Jessica Kelly.

Largy College: Aimee Lynch, Alicia Greenan, Bronagh McPhillips, Caitlin Doherty, Megan Agnew, Katelyn Greenan, Eva Hannon, Chloe Brady, Laura McFarland(1-0), Lily Monaghan, Shannon Murphy, Amy Jo Kierans, Mairead Cusack(0-1), Sarah Tierney(0-4,3f), Hannah Cooper

Subs: Eimear McGarvey, Casey McAree, Eabha Quigley, Holly Agnew, Dearbhla Smyth, Rachel Cooper, Aine Cunningham, Chloe Fallon, Dearbhla Quigley, Cliodhna Greenan Sarah McCaffrey.

See this week's print edition for full coverage.