Breffni ladies claim back-to-back Ulster crowns

Cavan 4-13

Monaghan 1-20

Aideen Coyle

in Brewster Park

Cavan and Monaghan renewed their rivalry for the second time this season on Saturday evening with the Ulster intermediate title on the line. Reigning champions Cavan booked their place in the decider after overcoming Fermanagh in the semi-final, while Monaghan advanced following victory over Down in their last-four encounter.

Both sides entered the tie with injury woes, with Monaghan without their influential captain Rosemary Courtney, whilst Cavan were without key defenders Sinead Kelly and Christina Charters.

Cavan survived a dramatic Monaghan comeback to retain their title after an enthralling contest that went to extra time. Monaghan produced a remarkable second-half comeback, coming from six points down midway through the half to force extra time when substitute Caoimhe Ward found the net late on. Enda Flanagan’s side will look back on several missed opportunities, particularly during a first half in which they controlled large spells of possession but still somehow found themselves a goal behind at the half-time interval.

Cavan, on the other hand, proved far more efficient in front of goal throughout the contest and held the lead for the majority of the game at Brewster Park. A dominant opening period in extra time ultimately settled the tie, with Butlersbridge forward Niamh McCorry striking the net twice to secure back-to-back titles for the Breffni ladies.

Cavan opened the game with two points from Deirbhile Lynch and McCorry before Monaghan took the lead for the first time with a hat-trick of scores. Chloe McBride and Cora Courtney pointed two close-range frees, followed by a point from midfielder Muireann Atkinson. With 12 minutes on the clock, Cavan hit the net for the first time with a swift counter-attacking move of brilliance.

Player of the match Zara Fay brilliantly dispossessed Sarah Tierney, with a quick exchange between Ellie Brady, Aishling Sheridan and Keri McCormack sending through Sinead Greene to hit the net. Four minutes later, the lead was extended to five as Muireann Cusack reacted quickest to Ella Sheridan’s shot rebounding off the crossbar to raise a second green flag for the Division Two league finalists.

The Farney women replied with two points on the trot from Courtney and the excellent Casey Treanor. Ella Sheridan notched over a close-range free, which was instantly cancelled out by one from Sarah Tierney at the other end after Aine McQuaid had a goal opportunity saved by Evelyn Baugh. This came moments after Chloe McBride had a shot at goal cleared off the line by Lucy Crowe.

Emma McIntyre closed the scoring for Cavan, with Monaghan adding two more to their first-half tally from Amy Garland and a McBride free to leave the half-time score 2-05 to 0-08. The second half started in similar fashion to the first as Monaghan failed to convert from their opening attack, while Aishling Sheridan pointed Cavan into a four-point lead from their first attack of the half.

Two minutes after her introduction, Amy Jo Kierns pointed before Monaghan were reduced to 14 as Maeve Monahan was shown a yellow card. During this 10-minute period, Cavan pushed into a five-point lead, outscoring Monaghan three points to one. Ella Sheridan tapped over another before Niamh Keenaghan hit two in quick succession. Lauren Garland got a crucial score for her side before Monaghan were restored to a full complement of players.

Monaghan continued to push to reduce the deficit and failed to convert another goal chance as Sarah Tierney was denied a palmed goal by an Evelyn Baugh save. From the resulting 45m, the hardworking Niamh Flanagan fired over. Sheridan pointed another free at the other end, but the response kept coming as the challengers hit three on the bounce through substitute Leanne Maguire, who made an impressive cameo off the bench.

With three minutes remaining, Sinead Greene pointed to leave three between the teams, but confusion from the resulting kickout led to a goal opportunity for Monaghan which substitute Caoimhe Ward slotted into the net after excellent play from Eabha Sherry, bringing the sides level for only the second time and forcing the game to extra time.

Extra time

Having led for the majority of normal time, Cavan hit the ground running in extra time, opening a six-point cushion with two decisive goals from Niamh McCorry. The holders pressed Orna Kelly’s kickout after the resumption and reaped the benefits, opening up a margin too difficult for Monaghan to close despite a spirited fightback once again.

Eabha Sherry opened the extra-time scoring with a well-struck effort from distance after Zara Fay superbly blocked Sarah Tierney’s shot. With four minutes on the clock, Catherine Dolan excellently dispossessed Aine McQuaid and within seconds McCorry raised her first green flag. Cavan pressed high and dispossessed the resulting kickout, with Ella Sheridan pointing as a result.

Niamh Keenaghan won the next kickout from Kelly, with McCorry calmly slotting to the net at the end of the attack to open up a six-point lead once again. Casey Treanor, who was Monaghan’s standout performer, pointed at the conclusion of the half to leave the scoreboard 4-12 to 1-16.

Leanne Maguire and Sheridan traded a point apiece after the restart to keep five between the teams. To their credit, Monaghan never gave up and battled until the end, reducing the deficit to two but failing to find a breakthrough score to dethrone Emmet Daly’s side. Niamh Flanagan hit her second before another two excellent points from Maguire finished the scoring in a superb Ulster final.

Cavan: Evelyn Baugh, Lucy Crowe, Shauna Lynch, Zara Fay, Emma McIntyre 0-01, Ailbhe Kennedy, Sinead Greene 1-01, Deirbhile Lynch, Micaela Fitzpatrick, Keri McCormack, Ella Sheridan 0-06 (0-04f), Ellie Brady, Muireann Cusack 1-00, Aishling Sheridan 0-01, Niamh McCorry 2-02

Subs used: Niamh Keenaghan 0-02 for M. Cusack, Catherine Dolan for E. Brady, Clara Lynch for D. Lynch, Cara McCaffrey for K. McCormack, Katie Mai Reilly for M. Fitzpatrick, Ciara Boylan for C. Lynch, Rebecca McLoughlin for N. McCorry

Monaghan: Orna Kelly, Aine Loughman, Aine McQuaid, Kerry Nolan, Maeve Monahan, Jennifer Duffy, Amy Garland 0-01, Niamh Flanagan 0-02, Muireann Atkinson 0-01, Casey Treanor 0-02, Cora Courtney 0-02 (0-02f), Aoibhin McCormack, Chloe McBride 0-02 (0-02f), Lauren Garland, Sarah Tierney 0-01

Subs used: Eabha Sherry 0-01 for A. McCormack, Amy Jo Kierns 0-01 for K. Nolan, Leanne Maguire 0-06 (0-03f) for C. Courtney, Caoimhe Ward 1-00 for A. Loughman, Eimear Traynor for N. Flanagan, N. Flanagan for J. Duffy, Jodie McQuillan for M. Atkinson, Erin Shannon for A. Garland, Dervla Cawley for L. Garland

Referee: Gavin Finnegan (Down)