Five in a row

by Aideen Coyle

Cavan and Tyrone served up a thriller on Sunday afternoon in the Ulster U16 platinum final in a game that had it all, with the Breffni team collecting the silverware.

Both sides came into the tie unbeaten and once again showed just why they were the top two teams at this grade in the province. Five in a row chasing Cavan were made work hard to retain their title but showed heart, fight, resilience and leadership beyond their years to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat deep into the contest on Sunday.

Tyrone led from the opening minute right up to the 32nd minute of the second half when Sarah Crowe hit her second goal of the contest to give Cavan the lead for the first time. Similarly, to two years ago when the sides met in the U14 decider Tyrone came out of the blocks quickest hitting 2-05 to Cavan’s 0-02 in the opening ten minutes. However, a strong second quarter from the Breffni girls closed the deficit to five at half time.

The second half told a similar story as the Red Hand ladies pushed into an eight point lead midway through the second half. However, a never say die attitude from the Cavan girls, who were reduced to 14 players, seen them outscore the challengers 2-07 to 0-02 to land the provincial crown to Tyrone’s disbelief.

Tyrone made the dream start hitting the Cavan net with their opening attack as Hannah Meehan’s long-range effort sailed into the top corner of the net. Cavan made a direct response from their kickout with Ella McPhillips pointing. However, the challengers took control hitting 1-05 in reply as a result of dominating the Cavan kickout.

A double from Aine Nelis and one from Niamh Hetherington left four between the teams with just five minutes played. At the other end Cavan had a goal chance of their own as McPhillips cut open the Tyrone defence with Doireann Brady’s shot at goal being brilliantly saved by Alice Fox. Whilst at the opposite end scores kept coming as Nelis registered her third followed by a second goal this time from Hetherington to extend the lead to ten.

Nine minutes after their opener Sarah Crowe pointed a much-needed score for Cavan but her point was instantly cancelled out by a fine strike from the excellent free taker Nelis who gave an exhibition in shooting across the hour.

However, Blathnaid Sheridan and Doc Mulhall’s side grew into the tie and dominated the second quarter finishing the first half with five points on the bounce to leave the score 2-06 to 0-07 at the half time whistle in Kinawley.

Knockbride’s Ellie Reilly pointed a double followed by two from the industrious McPhillips who caused havoc in the Tyrone defence in the first half. With the last attack of the half Doireann Brady fisted over a point to reduce the margin to five.

The second half started with the same intensity as the first as both teams continued their impressive form. Cavan fired straight from the throw-in won by the hardworking midfield duo of Aoife Rogers and Shonagh Brennan. Doireann Brady was fouled on path to goal with Reilly pointing the resulting kick. Nelis cancelled out the strike almost immediately before two on the trot from full forward Ella Boyd put the deficit at seven.

Reilly and Brady hit one apiece to keep Cavan within reach however with fifteen minutes on the clock they were dealt a sucker blow as Boyd fired to the Cavan net after an excellent run with another Nelis white flag putting eight between the teams.

Brady hit back with another fine score before Cavan’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a further blow as captain Aoife Rogers was shown a harsh yellow card. Despite the numerical disadvantage the reigning champions outscored the leaders 2-03 to 0-01 in this ten-minute timeframe to push into a lead.

With 21 minutes on the clock corner forward Sarah Crowe rattled the Tyrone net with a sublime finish to leave the scoreline 1-12 to 3-10. Moments later Aimee Costello brilliantly blocked Boyd with the outstanding Erelle O’Sullivan dispossessing the attacker in the follow-up. Ellie Reilly pointed her first from play soon after with a brilliant link up with half time substitute Laila Cooney as Cavan continued to hit their stride.

Not for the first time in the tie Nelis replied with one of her own but scores were harder come by for her side in the closing minutes as brilliant defending from O’Sullivan, Emma Cusack and Clodagh Kelly notably prevented scores. At the other end McPhillips was denied twice by a superb double save from Fox.

Two more difficult frees from Reilly who also gave an exhibition in free taking reduced the deficit to two entering injury time. An excellent interception from Orla Miney turned defence into attack for Cavan with Cooney driving forward setting up Crowe for her second goal of the final to give Cavan the lead for the very first time.

Playing with momentum and confidence Cavan hit a hattrick of points as captain Rogers returned to the field. Reilly hit an eighth free with Brennan winning the resulting kickout to set up Brady for her fourth. Another overturned kickout from Mullahoran’s Brennan led to McPhillips final score as Cavan completed a memorable comeback. Nelis closed the scoring with a consolation point as Cavan captured the Ulster title with a remarkable victory.

Cavan: Kayla Curran Doughty, Emma Cusack, Clodagh Kelly, Annie Forde Peat, Aimee Costello, Erelle O’Sullivan, Orla Miney, Aoife Rogers (C), Shonagh Brennan, Ciara O’Reilly, Doireann Brady 0-04, Ellie Reilly 0-09 (0-08f), Chloe Gumley, Ella McPhillips 0-04, Sarah Crowe 2-01

Subs: Laila Cooney for C. Gumley, Sarah Kate Liggan for C. O’Reilly, Margaret Smith for K. Curran Doughty,

Tyrone: Alice Fox, Ava Marley, Cathy Ann McCrory, Niamh Colton, Lara McAleer, Meabh Donnelly, Ava Tracey, Meg McCallan, Annabell Fox-McGlone, Ciara McCullagh, Hannah Meegan 1-00, Niamh Hetherington 1-01, Aine Nelis 0-07 (0-04f), Ella Boyd 1-04, Katie Rose Mallon

Subs used: Emma Conway for A. Tracey, Neamh Gormley for L. McAleer