Ulster Schools Ladies U-16 Championship Final

Glory for St Ciaran's girls

By Damien Donnelly

St Ciaran's, Ballygawley....................................................2-9

Inver College, Carrickmacross..........................................1-7

St Ciaran's girls team displayed great character and skill when winning the U-16 Ulster championship crown against Carrickmacross at Beragh.

The Ballygawley school have not claimed this particular title since 2001 when the foot-and-mouth scare prevented them from challenging for All-Ireland honours.

There have been a few near misses in between but the 2007 squad pulled off a sweet victory five days ago and secured some precious silverware for the St Ciaran's trophy cabinet.

Team managers Maria Curran and Pauline Murphy were full of praise for the girls following a tough final and some very close battles along the way in Tyrone and Ulster, as Maria highlighted.

'' We had a good tussle with Donaghmore Convent in the county final, winning by a single point and this after getting past St Patrick's Academy by a point as well.

'' It was the same narrow margin of victory to spare over Moville from Donegal in the recent Ulster semi-final, so it was a hard-earned Ulster final place.

'' The girls showed tremendous courage and drive all through and that came to the fore again in the Ulster final.

'' Inver College had beaten a fancied St Louis team(All-Ireland holders) in Monaghan and we knew they were going to provide a difficult test for us.

Positive

'' Our girls, though, responded with a positive and powerful performance to clinch what is definitely a very welcome win for St Ciaran's following some close calls in recent times.

'' We now have a bit of time to prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final against the Munster winners and it will be good to get a crack at that after missing out on the chance last time due to the foot-and-mouth situation''stressed the St Ciaran's teacher.

That Ulster final in Beragh was a very well contested game and St Ciaran's had to hold their form in the face of a dangerous Inver challenge.

Captain Nicola McAnenly led by example for St Ciaran's, with Lycrecia Quinn collecting the player-of-the-match award for her excellent workrate and combination play up front.

Lisa Marie Skeffington led the scoring charts on the day with a crucial goal and four-point contribution, with Megan McDonnell landing a goal and two points as vital back-up.

Eilish Owens and Carrie Monaghan in defence, Niamh Donnelly and Nicola McAnenly at centrefield plus Sarah Bannon and Lycrecia Quinn in attack were amongst those to impress for St Ciaran's but credit goes to all the players for producing a solid, all-round team display.

Inver tried hard but the day belonged to St Ciaran's who can now look forward to that long-awaited All-Ireland bid.

For now, though, Tyrone and Ulster U-16 trophies are safely in the locker at the Ballygawley campus and warm congratulations are due to all concerned.

St Ciaran's Team & Scorers: Claire McGarrity, Edel Mahoney, Shauna Shields, Shauna Kane, Eilish Owens, Cathy Monaghan, Carrie Monaghan, Nicola McAnenly(0-2), Niamh Donnelly, Sarah Bannon, Michelle Kelly, Michaela McCreesh, Megan McDonnell(1-2), Lisa Marie Skeffington(1-4), Lycrecia Quinn(0-1). Rest of Panel: Paula Donnelly, Roisin McSorley, Danielle McElroy, Nuala Carberrry, Janine McKenna, Emma McKernan.

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