The Tyrone Ladies senior county final served up a real clinker of a game with little between the sides throughout before St Macartans emerged narrow one point winners over their great rivals Carrickmore.
In a pulsating and intense match the teams were level on five occasions in a low scoring but very competitive game. Joline Donnelly opened the scoring after three minutes but Carrickmore responded immediately with a fine equalising score from the boot of Dearbhla Mc Callan. Exchanges were tough, uncompromising and direct with both defences very much on top but the game was played in a very sporting spirit as the sides reached the break tied at three points apiece.
Macartan’s keeper Niamh Mc Kenna proved her worth to her team in the opening period with several fine stops and clearances as Carrickmore bossed the second quarter. Their dominance was in no small way due to the introduction of Lynnette Mc Shane as her experience ensured that Carrickmore defenders always had an outlet for the ball.
The second half saw Macartans start well with points from Joline Donnelly and Niamh Mc Girr before Carrickmore moved in front following a superb goal from the boot of Dearbhla Mc Callan. With space limited and the marking tight chances were few and far between but Etaoine O’Kane, Aideen Loughran and Shauneen Mc Aleer made sure that the Carmen goal would not be breached. For Macartans Shauna Mc Girr, Maria Donnelly and the Mc Quaid sisters tackled and defended with great commitment and intensity blocking and tackling and forcing several key turnovers.
Tyrone star Gemma Begley pointed a free in the fifty sixth minute to put her team two in front and with time running out many thought that would be enough to seal the game. However back came Macartans and scores from Joline Donnelly and Niamh Mc Girr drew the sides level. With time running out Mc Girr drew a foul and presented Colleen Mc Quaid with the chance to put her side in front. The free was duly converted but Carrickmore responded as only Carrickmore can. They drove at the Macartans defence and created two or three chances to draw the game level but came up short as the game ended in a 0-9 to 1-5 win for St Macartans.
Both teams deserve tremendous credit for the quality of the game and the sporting manner in which it was played. Coalisland Fianna had a facile victory over Urney in the Junior B final which acted as a curtain raiser before the Senior final. Team captain Niamh Mc Kiernan scored 5-8 as the Fianna lifted the title in a very one sided game.
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