SFC and IFC semi-finals set up Monaghan and Cavan clashes

Ladies Ulster Football Championship

Cavan and Monaghan teams will face each other in the semi-finals of this year's Ulster Intermediate and Senior championships after a weekend of impressive results.

In the senior championship, Donaghmoyne made light work of the Errigal Ciaran challenge as they netted four goals; meanwhile Knockbride had their shooting boots on as their consistent point scoring saw them overcome Armagh's Shane O’Neills.

At Intermediate grade Truagh put in an impressive defensive display as they kept Naomh Eoin to just five points across he hour.

The matches are scheduled for Sunday, November1 with Knockbride and Truagh enjoying home advantage.

Ulster Senior Ladies Club Championship

Errigal Ciaran 0-8

Donaghmoyne 4-11

Monaghan champions Donaghmoyne booked their place in the semi-finals of the new look Ulster club championship as they dominated their trip to Errigal Ciaran on Saturday.

The Tyrone champions had no answer to a powerful Monaghan outfit who led from start to finish, never taking their foot of the gas until the end.

Built with a well organised defence Donaghmoyne were excellent as Sharon Courtney and Fiona Courtney called the shots while up front once again Cora Courtney, Catriona Murnaghan and Lauren Garland proved too hot to handle.

Two goals in each half underscored the visitors control as Errigal struggled.

Knockbride 1-19

Shane O’Neills 3-10

For once it wasn’t goals that counted on Sunday last as the locals made it two victories from as many outings in this year’s Ulster Ladies Club SFC after a titanic tussle in Knockbride.

Last year’s All-Ireland Club winners consolidated their opening round victory (1-11 to 0-8) over Steelstown (Derry) by churning out a gritty, lung-busting victory over their Armagh counterparts.

On a billiard table-like surface and on a picture-postcard afternoon, the red and green brigade demonstrated a collective will, a turn of pace and an eye for a score that proved too toxic a concoction for the Orchard County ambassadors to imbibe.

Ahead of the second round tie, much of the focus among the Knockbride supporters would have honed in on O’Neills’ star player Aimee Mackin whose tally of 1-12 in last month’s Armagh SFC final proved pivotal in scooping a first ever blue riband title success for O’Neills.

Ulster Ladies Intermediate Football Championship

Truagh 2-9

Naomh Eoin 0-5

Truagh ladies showed grit and determination to overcome a strong Naomh Eoin challenge to qualify for the Ulster Ladies Intermediate Football semi-final on Sunday, October 18.

The Monaghan Intermediate champions playing on home soil to a large home support at St Mellans Park, settled into the game quicker and had the best of the opening exchanges with 2 points from full forward Mia O’Reilly.

There was not much between the sides in the opening half and supporters were treated to a very competitive hard fought game with tight marking and excellent defending keeping scores to a minimum.

Grainne Slowey and Joanne Coyle blocked goal chances for Naomh Eoin to keep their scores to a minimum Both goalkeepers were kept busy and Molly Flood in the Truagh nets had a good save from the advancing Hannagh Mead.

Cornafean 0-13

Moortown 1-08

Cornafean progressed into the last four of the Ulster Club Championship after seeing out a nervy encounter with Moortown on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds were thoroughly deserving of the win, but with the club hosting their debut provincial championship match at a sun-drenched Pairc Naomh Fionnán, the large attendance endured a tension-filled climax to the encounter.

With an hour played and Cornafean leading by five points, Brianna Vincent, gave the Tyrone champions a lifeline with some quick thinking. Moortown had won a free deep in Reds territory, and Vincent swiftly took a tap and go, and unleashed a powerful looping shot to the net, raising hopes of an unlikely reprieve. However, Cornafean who had a spread of consistent scores through the McCaffrey sisters, Katie McGahern and Amy Wharton, held their nerve to safely see out the game.

For full coverage of the Ulster Ladies Club Championships, pick up The Anglo-Celt on Wednesday.