Senior ladies hit Down for six en route to Ulster triumph

Ulster IFC final

Cavan 6-10

Down 1-8

Aideen Coyle at Healy Park

Cavan ladies travelled to Healy Park, Omagh on Sunday for the 2025 Intermediate Ulster final after a fantastic semi-final win over Monaghan two weeks prior. Standing in their way of a first provincial title since 2011 were the reigning champions, Down, who defeated Tyrone in their final four meeting after extra time. The two sides had met earlier in the season with Emmet Daly’s charges recording a comprehensive win in the National League round two clash.

A hat-trick of goals in either half from the Breffni ladies saw them cruise to a dominant and deserving Ulster victory after a breathtaking display. A brace of goals from Player of the Match Catherine Dolan and one apiece from Niamh Keenaghan, Aisling Gilsenan, Aishling Sheridan and Niamh McCorry guided Cavan to a first Ulster title in 14 years. Cavan finished with 17 points to spare at the full-time whistle in Omagh after leading from gun to tape in the decider.

Played in front of a large crowd in perfect conditions, Cavan came out of the blocks flying, hitting 2-2 in quick succession to set the tone for the remainder of the tie as the Mourne ladies struggled to live with Cavan’s pace, athleticism and composure in attack. Dolan pointed the opening score of the game inside the opening minute followed by the first goal moments later from the left boot of Keenaghan who fired low past goalkeeper Catherine Byrne after a driving run from Dolan.

With six minutes played in the first half, a turnover at midfield from Lucy Crowe resulted in Dolan’s opening goal after a swift attacking move between the Virginia lady and Sinéad Greene. A converted free from Lauren McVeety left Cavan ahead by eight before Down opened their account in the 10th minute from Niamh Rice.

The Down forward’s score was instantly cancelled out as Evelyn Baugh found clubmate Kelly with the kick-out. An exchange of passes between Kelly, Crowe, McVeety and Keenaghan led to a fisted score for Dolan followed by another free from McVeety.

Midway through the half Down enjoyed a rare spell of possession but failed to capitalise on this, registering just two points from five attacks, Niamh Fitzpatrick with both scores from frees.

With the lead at seven, Cavan finished the half strongly with a further 1-1. A superb save from Baugh at one end led to Cavan’s third goal at the other as the would-be winners swiftly transitioned defence into attack through Gilsenan and Greene who assisted the outstanding Dolan for her second goal.

Cavan’s closing score of the half came from a brilliant point by McVeety with Eva Hicks raising a white flag to leave the half-time score 3-5 to 0-4 in favour of the challengers.

The holders opened the second half with another point from taliswoman Fitzpatrick. However, Cavan continued to assert their superiority and dominance, netting twice more, seconds apart, to leave daylight between the sides.

Excellent full-back Kelly once again overturned possession and launched Cavan on the attack with a strong run upfield before finding clubmate Dolan with the pass. Seconds later Aishling Sheridan opened her account as she netted from close range as Dolan this time turned provider. The Player of the Match was once again involved seconds later, overturning the kick-out to create a goal for Aisling Gilsenan who made no mistake in front of the posts.

To their credit, Down responded admirably with 1-2 on the bounce, Fitzpatrick with the goal. However, reducing the deficit to 10 was all they could manage as the Division 3 league champions finished the tie with an onslaught, hitting a further 1-5 as Down managed just a single point from Ciara McCreanor.

Sheridan pointed followed by a well-taken score from substitute Keri McCormack from a tight angle. With 26 minutes on the clock, Butlersbridge woman Niamh McCorry marked her cameo off the bench with the team’s sixth goal after a brilliant pass from McVeety found the forward on path to goal. As the game drew to a close, Sheridan, Dolan and McVeety added to their tallies to wrap up a strong win for Daly’s charges who continue to go from strength to strength.

The League and provincial champions now look ahead to the TG4 All-Ireland series in two weeks’ time where they are placed in group C with neighbours Monaghan and Leinster side Wicklow.

Cavan: Evelyn Baugh, Eimear Corcoran, Sinead Kelly, Lucy Crowe, Sinead Greene, Shauna Lynch, , Mona Sheridan, Micaela Fitzpatrick, Ellie Brady, Aishling Sheridan 1-02, Lauren McVeety 0-04 (2f), Catherine Dolan 2-03, Aisling Gilsenan 1-00, Niamh Keenaghan 1-00, Christina Charters

Subs used: Keri McCormack 0-01 for N. Keenaghan, Niamh McCorry 1-00 for E. Brady, Rebecca McLoughlin for A. Gilsenan, Sophie Daly for E. Corcoran, Deirbhile Lynch for M. Fitzpatrick

Down: Catherine Byrne, Aimee Greene, Ciara McCreanor 0-01, Niamh McClory, Clara Mulvena, Aoife Brogan, Erin Sands, Meghan Doherty, Aoife Laverty, Eimear Fitzpatrick 1-04 (4f), Laoise Duffy, Claire Milburn, Niamh King, Niamh Rice 0-02, Eva Hicks 0-01

Subs used: Niamh McGrath for E. Sands, Eireann Gallen for E. Hicks, Meabh Kelly for L. Duffy, Vivienne McCormack for N. McClory

Ref: Jude Dixon (Derry)