Errigal Ciaran and St. Macartans contested the minor championship final in Kileeshil. Girls from both these teams lined out alongside each other on the successful St Ciaran’s Ballygawley U16 and U19 teams earlier this year but on this occasion showcased their talents in their Club colours in what was a very sporting game.
Errigal Ciaran opened the scoring in the first minute after referee Eugene Mullan awarded a penalty and the illustrious Maria Canavan stepped up to calmly strike the ball to the back of the net. St Macartans responded with a Jacinta McGovern point before Slaine McCarroll collected the kickout and released Chloe McCaffrey who rattled the net with an unstoppable shot from 20yards. This helped St Macartans settle into the game with Niamh McGirr, McCaffrey, Deirdre McCarroll, Michaela Woods and Ele-Marie Carson adding further points. The Errigal forwards battled hard under extreme pressure from the St Macartans defence where both Erin McQuaid and Emma McConnell were particularly impressive. Maria Canavan did manage to get in on goal but Sophie Currie produced two brilliant goal line clearances to keep her team in front. Niamh McGirr added two further points before Canavan responded for Errigal Ciaran. Deirdre McCarroll had the last score of the first half with a pointed free. Half time score St Macatans 1-9 Errigal Ciaran 1-01.
Errigal Ciaran started the brighter in the second half and the talented Shannon Monaghan helped herself to a point before dodging the St Macartans defence to hit the back of the net. Moira Quinn, Deirdre McCarroll and Chloe McCaffrey responded with points for St Macartans, before Erin McQuaid caught a ball in defence and sent a perfect pass through to Slaine McCarroll who went on a trademark run before hitting the back of the net. Niamh McGirr collected the resulting kick out and set up the hardworking Jacinta McGovern for a well taken point.
Errigal were not going to give up and Maria Canavan collected the kick out and some great team play saw Canavan get on the end of the move and put the ball over the bar for her second point. Going into the final ten minutes the game began to open up for Errigal Ciaran; their dominance began with a great save from goal keeper Finola Corrigan. Maria Canavan was denied a goal by St Macartans wing back Lauren McCaughey before Shannon Monaghan followed up a point with a brilliant solo effort goal. Canavan and Cailin McCann then added further points to cut the deficit to just three points. Errigal had further chances but Marie Treanor and Emma McConnell were solid in defence and another fearless block from McConnell set up Chloe McCaffrey to score the insurance point from a difficult angle. Errigal had one last attack with Monaghan pointing to bring her personal tally to 2-03 but Macartans held out for a deserved win. There were jubilant scenes as St Macartans collected the Minor Championship after a ten year wait.
Final Score St Macartans 2-14 Errigal Ciaran 3-07.
These two sides will meet again in the Minor league final and if Saturday is anything to go by this will be one not to be missed! The work rate and hunger of Jacinta McGovern and Slaine McCarroll epitomised the St Macartans all round team performance with eight players getting on the score sheet. There was tenacious defending from Emma McConnell, Marie Treanor and Erin McQuaid; their management will be looking for much the same. While Errigal will be looking for repeated performances from Grainne McDonald, Cailin McCann and of course Maria Canavan and Shannon Monaghan in front of goal.
St Macartans: Sophie Currie, Ciara Monaghan (c), Marie Treanor, Caragh Kelly, Erin McQuaid, Emma McConnell, Lauren McCaughey, Slaine McCarroll (1-0), Deirdre McCarroll (0-3), Jacinta McGovern (0-2), Chloe McCaffrey (1-03), Ele-Marie Carson(0-1), Moira Quinn(0-1), Niamh McGirr (0-03), Michaela Woods (c) (0-1). Mary Keenan, Aine McConnell, Aoife McCafrey, Meabh McGinn, Niamh McMeel, Tara-Meabh McCarroll, Caraghleigh Mulholland, Orla McCarney.
Errigal Ciaran: Finola Corrigan, Eimear Quinn, Aine Hamill, Jemma McKenna. Aisling McRory(c), Meabh Hamill Oonagh McAleer, Mallaidh McCann(c), Grainne McDonald, Emma Quinn, Maria Canavan (1-03), Cailin McCann (0-1), Lauren Kavanagh, Shannon Monaghan (2-03), Megan McClelland. Michaela Kelly, Claire Canavan, Rachel Farrell, Enya Donnelly, Catherine Canavan, Eve McGirr, Clodagh Donagy, Anna Horish, Ellen Neill, Bronagha McAleer, Kirstie Moore.
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