Ulster Minor Semi-Final reports

lster minor champions Donegal came from eight points
down to force a draw and then beat Tyrone in extra time in an exciting
semi final played in Omagh on Saturday last. Donegal led 0-5 to
0-4 after the first quarter. Points from Zoe Doherty (2), Karen
Guterie, Carol Breslin and Lisa Byrne gave the Tir Chonnail side
the slender advantage while Tyrone kept in touch thanks a couple
of points from both Sarah Connolly and Jolene Donnelly. 

Tyrone then dominated the second quarter and raced into a five
point lead thanks to goals from Connolly and Clare Mc Alsikey.
Donegal responded with points from Byrne and Breslin but another
over from Donnelly gave the Red Hands girls a four point lead
at the break. Donegal’s Karen Guterie hit the first point of the
second half but then a couple of points from Mc Aliskey and Donnelly
and a well taken goal from Sarah Louise Mc Loughlin left the Red
Hand county eight ahead entering the final quarter. Guterie and
Karen Feeney fired over to narrow the gap to six. Donegal then
had a real let off as Clare Mc Aliskey hit the crossbar. This
incident proved to be the turning point of the game as from here
on Donegal could do no wrong.

In the 25th minute Niamh Hegarty registered her first point.
Lisa Byrne then fired over while Hegarty goaled in the 28th minute
and fired over the equaliser in injury time. In the first period
of extra time Donegal were awesome. Hegarty completed her hatrick
with another two goals and fifteen year old Aileen Ward also found
the net. All Tyrone could manage was a single point from Laura
Mc Creesh.

In the second period scores were harder to come by but Donegal
duo Aisling Mc Dermott and Karen Feeney did hit points to give
their side a 4-15 to 3-8 victory.

In the final they will play Monaghan who advanced with a 2-13
to 0-12 win over Cavan in Scotstown. After the first quarter Cavan
led 0-5 to 0-3. Niamh Mc Glade scored three of the Breffni points
while the other two came from Shauna King and Donna English. A
couple of points from Hazel Kingham and a strike from Ciara Mc
Anespie kept Monaghan in touch. Entering the second quarter Catriona
Mc Connell hit a goal and a point to put Monaghan ahead for the
first time. Aideen Fitzpatrick then fired over for Cavan but Monaghan
finished the half strongest hitting 1-5 without reply.

Deirdre Mc Kenna netted the goal while the points came from Mc
Connell (2), Mc Anespie (2) and Kingham. Cavan started the second
half with a flourish. Christine Mc Cutcheon and Niamh Mc Glade
fired over before Ciara Mc Anespie and Mc Glade exchanged points.
Catriona Mc Connell then brought her game tally to 1-5 with a
couple of points. Ciara Mc Anespie then added her fifth point.
Cavan finished the scoring with a trio of points from Roisin O
Keefe, Siobhan Mc Gory and Shauna King but it was much too little
too late. The final will be played in Ballybofey next Saturday.

In the minor B competition Down beat Derry 10-8 to 4-5. The other
semi final between Fermanagh and Antrim was much closer. The Erne
girls won 3-9 to 3-6.

Paul Swift – ULSTER PRO (pswift5@eircom.net)