22 September 2005 Castlewellan win out in Down Final Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Castlewellan Down Senior Ladies County Champions 2005 This was a titanic battle and it required referee Peter Brannigan to play two periods of extra time before Castlewellan took the trophy by a single point. Bredagh started brightly but couldn’t take their chances and it was Castlewellan who surged ahead when Lisa McCrickard converted a penalty after Kelly O’Higgins was fouled. However. Arlene McCloskey was playing brilliantly at midfield for Bredagh and her partner Denise Maguire scored a cracking goal after cutting in along the end line. Almost immediately, the Town struck back with their second goal when Kelly O’Higgins laid the ball off to Deirdre Quinn. Castlewellan started the second half leading 2-4 to 1-4 and introduced Cara Laverty. The Kilcoo girl added an extra zip to the forward line before she was fouled for a penalty, which Cathy Gallagher saved from Lisa McCrickard. Bredagh gained a slight advantage and in the dying minutes of normal time it seemed they would win. Joanne Lavery was deadly accurate from frees and it seemed that Geraldine Grimley had scored the winning point on two occasions. However Catherine and Debbie Keown scored the points that enabled Castlewellan to survive. On the resumption Cara Laverty shot Castlewellan into the lead, then Joanne Lavery floated in a free at the other end where a misunderstanding between Lisa Owens and Eleanor Nixon saw the ball drop over the goal line. Bredagh clung on to a narrow lead going into the second half of extra time. As both teams gradually wilted in the heat, Kelly O’Higgins had the stamina to strike over the two points that won the final for Castlewellan.. Eleanor Nixon was resilient at full back for the winners, Mairead Hardy was magnificent at centre half, Clare Drummy was always first to the ball and wasn’t hesitant to push forward to set up attacks, and Aine Keary and Noleen O’Higgins both had good spells at mid-field. However, it was Bredagh’s Arlene McCluskey, and Denise Maguire who were exceptional in this sector. Back Row (L-R) Lisa Morgan, Aislinn Savage, Leanne Owens, Ciara Hardy, Kelly O’Higgins, Catherine Keown, Clare Drummy, Bronagh Quinn, Paula Clelland, Nuala Taylor. Middle Row (L-R) John McCartan (Chairman), Kevan Owens (Manager), Aislinn Crilly, Lisa McCrickard, Natasha McCartan, Noleen O’Higgins, Lisa Owens, Elenor Nixon, Colleen Wynn, Deirdre Quinn, Brian Dougherty (Manager) Front Row (L-R) Patricia McMullan (Player Welfare), Cara Laverty, Fiona Keown, Maread Hardy, Aine Keown (Captain), Deborah Keown, Alana Mooney, Kathleen McCartan Paula Cleland was invaluable to Castlewellan as she swept back time and again to win possession when Bredagh threatened to go forward. Catherine Keown was another great forager and up front Kelly O’Higgins was a super ball winner. In the second half Cara Laverty created problems for the Bredagh backs.Cathy Gallagher’s goalkeeping skills kept Bredagh in the game on numerous occasions. Cera and Maura McArdle and Jacqui Clarke were strong and resourceful at halfback. At midfield Arlene McCloskey was the most accomplished player on view. Kerrie O’Neill and Geraldine Grimley foraged tirelessly and skillfully for Bredagh. Castlewellan: Lisa Owens, Bronagh Quinn, Eleanor Nixon, Aisling Crilly, Clare Drummy, Mairead Hardy, Colleen Wynne, Noleen O’Higgins 0-1, Aine Kearney 0-1, Cathy Keown 0-1, Lisa McCrickard 1-1, Debbie Keown 0-1, Paula Cleland 0-1, Kelly O’Higgins 0-3, Deirdre Quinn 1-1. Sub: Cara Laverty 0-1, Leane Owens. Player of the match: Mairead Hardy. O’Higgins strike seals win for Castlewellan “Kelly O’Higgins was the toast of Castlewellan at the weekend as her point deep in injury time of extra time against Bredagh sealed the Mourne county title for her side. After 60 minutes the sides finished level, Bedagh 1 – 9 Castlewellan 2 – 6. Denise Maquire had hit Bredagh’s major while Lisa McCrickard and Deirdre Quinn found the net for Castlewellan. With the first attack of extra-time Joanne Lavery scored Bredagh’s second goal but Castlewellan plugged away and eventually won 2 -12 to 2 11.” Captain’s Speech (Aine Keary) It was a great honour for me to be Captain of a Castlewellan Team in a Senior Championship Final. This year it is even more special as 2005 sees CLG Naomh Maolmhoig Caisleán a’ Mhuilinn celebrate it’s Club’s Centenary year. I would like to thank all the players for their hard work and dedication over this past year which has been demanding in every aspect. On behalf of my fellow team-mates I would like to take this opportunity to thank our team management, Kevan Owens & Brian Dougherty for all their hard work and commitment to us all year, we really apprieciate it. Thanks also to our Sponsors , club members and supporters. My first wish was that today would be another absorbing game against our opponents and friends Bredagh – My wish came true. My other wish was that today final would be a memorable occasion filled with everything that is good in gaelic games and that Castlewellan would do their loyal and faithful supporters proud – I think we did. Share this Article 0 0