Cavan Ladies Championship Finals

Cavan Ladies Championship Finals

The ladies championship comes to a finale this weekend as the finals take place in all three grades.

 

In the junior championship final, Ballymachugh will meet Belturbet. Both of these teams put in very impressive performances throughout the campaign to reach Saturdays decider. Ballymachugh defeated Ballyhaise and Cornafean in their earlier rounds putting up very high scores along the way. Many of Ballymachugh’s hopes will hang on the performances of Deirdre Kelly who is currently on the county panel and Aoibhinn Kiernan, the under sixteen star who is a younger sister of Cavan player Sheana Kiernan who is away travelling and is unavailable for the final. Belturbet defeated Killenkere and Mountnugent in the earlier rounds and put in their most impressive performance in the semi final against near neighbours and many peoples favourites for the championship Drumlane. Belturbet will be looking for leadership from their captain Maria McBarron who was the captain of the 2009 county team.

 

The intermediate final will see Lavey take on Mullahoran in what promises to be a very close encounter. Lavey came through the group stages of the championship undefeated, beating Killygarry, Drumgoon and Arva with considerable ease along the way. Louise Maguire has been the in form player of the championship so far for Lavey notching up some fine scores. Catriona Smith and Renee Murphy are also two players with the ability to cause a threat to the Mullahoran defence. Mullahoran, for their part showed their strength after bouncing back from defeat to Inny Gaels in the first round to record victories over St Finbars and Gowna and in the end topped a very tight group on score difference. This is Mullahoran’s first year back in the intermediate after been relegated from senior for this years competition. Mullahoran have many stars in this team and have many players who had championship success at minor and under sixteen level in recent years. The four Sheridan sisters all have the potential to cause a major headache for the Lavey defence.

 

The highlight of Saturday’s games is the eagerly awaited senior final which sees Knockbride take on Lurgan. Knockbride are coming into Saturday’s final with three victories under their belt over Templeport, Lacken and a two point defeat of Lurgan when these sides last met. Lurgan have recorded championship wins over Lacken and Templeport and their only defeat in the championship coming to their final opponents. However, Lurgan recorded a victory over Knockbride when these sides met earlier in the year in the league. This game has all the makings of a classic final with some exceptional talent on display. Lurgan will be looking for big performances from Laura and Ann Hanratty in defence, while up front Ciara Farrell, Julie Cahill, Vanessa Brady and county star Claragh Reilly all have the potential to unlock the Knockbride defence. Lurgan will be looking for leadership from Nicola O’Dwyer who has impressed in the championship to date. Strong performances from Lisa McCabe and under sixteen county stars Grace Reilly and Chelsi Curran in defence are key if Knockbride are to be successful on Saturday, while Elaine O’Connor and Daena Clerkin are sure to cause problems for the Lurgan defence as will the performances of Aggie Clarke and county player Aisling Traynor.

 

Times and venues for Saturday’s finals below:

 

Junior Championship Final
Ballymachugh V Belturbet @ 2.15pm
Venue: Lavey GAA Grounds
Referee: Brian Crowe
Lines persons: Denise Flood, Rachel Smith

Intermediate Championship Final
Lavey V Mullahoran @ 6pm
Venue: Killygarry Athletic Grounds, Crubany
Referee: Martin Sexton
Lines persons: Emma Tierney, Ciara Grogan

 

Senior Championship Final
Knockbride V Lurgan @ 4pm
Venue: Lavey GAA Grounds
Referee: Packie Smith
Lines persons: Blathnaid Sheridan, Beatrice Sheridan