McGinn Print Ladies GAA Senior Championship Final 2008

McGinn Print Ladies GAA Senior Championship Final 2008 Lurgan 1-11 West Cavan Gaels 1-09

Lurgan Ladies celebrated their first ever-senior championship title on Saturday afternoon last when they defeated West Cavan Gaels in a thrilling final played in brilliant sunshine in Ballyconnell. After the torrential rain on Friday the venue was changed from Lacken which didn’t effect the players as both sides produced a gripping game for the sixty minutes.
Lurgan powered into a 1-04 lead in the opening ten minutes and were dominant for this period, which inevitably was to prove a major factor to their victory. This catapulted the east Cavan side into a lead that they were never to relinquish and playing with a slight breeze made use of its assistance. Their goalkeeper and player of the match Claire Foley was undoubtedly a major element of Lurgans success as she made some terrific saves and without a doubt kept the confidence levels high for Lurgan. Had any of these attacks yielded a goal it might well have been a different story at the end of the game of the game.
Lurgan opted for the use of the breeze in the first half and full forward Claragh Reilly readily made use of it. She amassed a personal tally of 1-08 and equally in the running for player of the match. Using both feet she kicked over some great scores. With midfielders Michelle Cole and Julie Cahill feeding attacks to their half forward line they were causing all kinds of trouble of West Cavan backs. Then in the sixth minute O’Reilly aimed for goal and blasted the ball past Niamh Gilbride, the West Cavan Gaels netminder. Ciara Farrell was also in the fray with two superb points for Lurgan as they bolstered the amalgamation with scores. But West Cavan Gaels soon found their feet a points from Bronagh Sheridan and Leanne Drumm gave them some imputus as half time approached. The just before the final whistle Sharon Cassidy gave them a lifeline when when scored a super goal and bring the Gaels back into the game.

Half time: 1-07 to 1-02

The second half started like the first with Lurgan adding two more points from Claragh Reilly. The intensity of the battle of midfielders continued. Mindfully county star Aisling Doonan was closely marked as Lurgan closed down any potential opportunity she had. The management of the west Cavan side made several positional changes and this paid dividends. The remaining fifteen minutes of play was all about West Cavan Gaels as they pushed forward with unsustainable attacks at the Lurgan defence. Bronagh Sheridan was on hand to kick over two brilliant points. She began to dominate the middle of the field as Lurgan began to wilt in playing pocession. But the Lugan ladies had victory in their sights and they closed ranks pulling players back. This tactic didn’t help as their clearances were always going to be kicked back in. Leanne Drumm kicked over two more points to narrow the scoring gap and leave it 1-09 to 1-06. Sharon Cassidy kicked over her second point after she kicked over a great point from avery tight angle on the left hand side of goal. . Cassidy closed the scoring difference to the minimum of one point before Lurgan responded with Claragh Reilly Clearly the wind was having a major effect on the game as this was only Lurgans 5th attach of the half. But it was momentus and kept the flame of hope burning as time closed in on the game. West Cavan Gaels had their chances but some wayward shooting in the closing minutes was to be a telling factor to the destination of the Michelle Keating memorial cup. The west Cavan side ultimately went for the superior score of goal but may look back on not taking their points, which may have changed the face of the game. But try as the could they just wouldn’t find a way through the Lurgan backline.
As the final whistle was blown the emotion was clearly evident on the older Lurgan players with their success.
Lurgan: Clare Foley, Emma McDermot, Laura Manratty, Siobhan O’Reilly, Eimear Gilsenen, Ann Lynch, Fiona Murphy, Michelle Cole (C), Julie Cahill, Ciara Brady, Claire Carpenter, Philly McDermott, Nicola O’Dwyer, Claragh O’Reilly, Ciara Farrell
Subs: Vanessa Brady and Eleanor Orminston

West Cavan Gaels: Niamh Gilbride, Tara Doonan, Clodagh Doonan, Mary T McGoldrick, Martha Brady, Claire Kearns, Mairead Dolan, Blathnaid Sheridan, Bronagh Sheridan, Sinead Greene, Aisling Doonan, Sharon Cassidy, Leanne Drumm, Pauline Glancy, Ciara Maguire

Referee: Micheal Lyons (Drumalee)

Presentation: Speaking after the game chairman of Cavan ladies county board Raymond Brady commended both sides on a terrific final of intesity and excitement. The winning of the senior championship cup had placed Lurgan up with the great former club champions over the years. They had worked hard over the years and had taken their fair share of knock-backs over time but were resilient in their venture for the senior cup.
The player of the match was awarded to Claire Foley and was presented by John McGinn of Mcginn Print Castlerahan.
The cup was presented by Micheal Keating, father of the late Michelle Keating, whom the cup is named after. Captain of Lurgan Michelle Cole, thanked West Cavan Gaels for a tough game and the Lurgan management for all their efforts. Finally she dedicated the win to all her comrades past and present for their great contribution to the Lurgan success