ARMAGH won the TG4 Ulster senior ladies football title

ARMAGH created history yesterday when they won the TG4 Ulster
senior ladies football title

 

ARMAGH created history yesterday when they won the
TG4 Ulster senior ladies football title with a 1-11 to 1-9 victory
over defending champions Monaghan in Clones. 

The Orchard County only stepped up to the senior championship
this year after winning the All-Ireland junior crown last season.
However, at Clones yesterday they collected the Ulster senior
title for the first time in their history.

 

There was another surprise down in Leinster where Laois beat
a fancied Meath side, 0-16 to 0-9, in the provincial final at
Dr Cullen Park.

 

However, Armagh’s victory was the story of the ladies championship
yesterday. Monaghan entered the game gunning for a third successive
Ulster title.

 

Sharon Duncan put Armagh in front with an early point but the
Farney County responded with four points in a row. However, Armagh
clawed their way back to level the scores at four points apiece
and looked to be gaining some momentum.

 

But a Slainey Murray point put Monaghan back in front again and
then in the 22nd minute Grainne McNally struck the back of the
Armagh net with a well taken goal. She added a point seconds later
and Monaghan found themselves 1-6 to 0-4 in the ascendancy.

 

Armagh’s response was impressive once again though. Shauna
O’Hagan rattled the Monaghan net while Duncan floated over
a point to leave just one between them at the interval, 1-6 to
1-5.

 

The second half was a closely fought affair and the sides were
level at 1-8 apiece with just ten minutes left. However, Armagh
finished strongly with a brace of points from Caroline O’Hanlon
and one from Mags McAlinden to put them three ahead.

 

Aisling Tierney had a good goal chance for Monaghan late on but
her effort struck the crossbar and ricocheted up and over the
bar.

 

Meanwhile, Laois were full value for their win over Meath in
Dr Cullen Park yesterday. The Royals were tipped to win Leinster
this year after their impressive run in the National League.

 

However, Laois beat Meath in the round robin section of the Leinster
Championship and didn’t fear them yesterday. The O’Moore
County took the game to Meath from early on and were four points
ahead at half-time.

 

Martha Kirwan had a fantastic game for Laois in attack while
goalkeeper Bernie Deegan pulled off a string of fine saves. Lorraine
Muckian was solid at full-back as well while Angela Casey and
Patricia Fogarty also impressed.