Young Cavan Ladies Make History

Cavan Show Spirit to Create History

Cavan Ladies produced a spirited display to deny Cork with a superb rally to make history as they claimed their first ever Under 14 A All Ireland Final. On a day when they were rocked by Cork’s early goals the young stars from Ulster dug deep to come back into contention twice before Deirbhile McCaffrey wrote her name into the history books as she sent the winning point sailing over the bar as the referee blew the final whistle.

Cavan Ladies Under 14’s trailed from the very first minute as Faye Ahern struck over the first point with only 38 seconds on the clock Cavan did respond thanks to a first point from McCaffrey. Katie Quirke, who was to prove to be the most effective Cork player, announced her intentions with her first of three goals in only the third minute which must have left the Cavan faithful worrying that it would be a long day ahead. Erin Longair scored her first point as Cavan responded but a Quirke free and a lovely point from Eve Mullins had Cork in control with 11 minutes gone.

Katie Quirke then scored her second goal although it did have more than an element of luck as her free slipped under the crossbar. However, the Cavan ladies were thrown a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty, Sarah Curran stepped up to hit the spot kick but her effort was well parried over the bar by Sarah Murphy and when Katie Quirke scored a goal direct from a free it looked ominous for the Ulster champions.

Despite these disappointment Cavan displayed that never say die attitude as they reeled off 5 points before the end of the half as McCaffrey and Longair both pointed frees with Elaine Brady and Áine Reilly (2) adding points from play before the half time whistle but again Cork found the net as Quirke completed her hattrick as she casually rounded Eimear Keoghan in the Cavan net before finishing to the net. Cavan had showed great determination but when Áine Reilly saw her effort at goal come back off the post and with Katie Quirke’s influence on proceedings they could have been forgiven for dropping their heads.

However, despite trailing by 3-03 to 0-08 at half time their team talk from Mick Flynn clearly had the desired effect as a different team emerged for Cavan in the second half. Cork were restricted to just two scores in the second half, the first of which did not come until the half was 23 minutes old.Leah Brady signalled Cavan’s intent as the impressive midfielder scored within a minute of the restart to set the tone for what was to follow. Longair added a free with a pair of points from McCaffrey and one from Áine Reilly had them right back  in the game and indeed they briefly lead but as Cork were reduced to 14 players when Áine Keating was sent to the sinbin. However, almost as soon as Keating returned Cork seemed to rally and Katie Quirke finally found a way through the Cavan defence albeit from a free. However, less than 30 seconds later substitute Aoife Twomey struck the ball to the Cavan net to seemingly give Cork the win as time was running out.

There were two minutes left on the clock and 3 points left on the clock as Sarah Curran pulled a point back for Cavan. Seconds later Leah Brady pointed a beauty to give Cavan belief before Erin Longair won her own free at a difficult angle near the sideline. The young Drumlaine star made no mistake as she curled the equaliser over the bar to seemingly send the match to a replay. However, Deirbhile McCaffrey found herself on the ball in space and she sent her low shot over the crossbar whilst on the run to give Cavan the most unlikely but deserved win.

Cavan had heroes all over the pitch with their defensive unit holding Cork at bay for long periods, Emma Halton, captain Laura McVeety and Player of the Match Kayla Brady were all superb at the back. The midfield pairing of Leah and Elaine Brady were excellent in the middle of the field whilst their inside forward line were particularly good with Longair, Reilly and match winner Deirbhile McCaffrey all being impressive throughout. Cork too had some excellent displays especially from Ciara Lawlee, Clare Ahern and sharp shooter Katie Quirke all particularly impressive.

Final Score:

Cavan 0-17 Cork 4-04

Cavan: E. Keogh, E. Halton, M. Smith, A. Dent (for Cribbin), L McVeety (Capt.), Á. Corcoran, K. Brady, L. Brady, E. Brady, K. McNulty, N. Meenaghan, S. Curran, D. McCaffrey, Á. Reilly, E. Longair.

Cavan Scorers: D. McCaffrey 0-05 2f, E. Longair 0-04 3f, Á. Reilly 0-03, L. Brady 0-02, S. Curran 0-02 1pen, E. Brady (0-01)

Cavan Substitutes: N. Brady, C. Craine, Á. Dennehy, K. Kellegher, C. Kellegher, C. McCaffrey, C. Tolan, S. Farrell, R. McEnroe, E. Tynan, K. O’Reilly, R. Gilsenan, Á. Brady, A. Lynch, L. Cribbin

Cork: S. Murphy, R. Sheehan, R. Corkery (for C O’Sullivan), C. Lawlee, C. Ahern, C. O’Callaghan, E. Jack, Á. Keating, F. Ahern, J. Murphy, K. Quirke (capt), E. Mullins (for A. O’Mahony), K. Dineen (for K. O’Connor), K. Dennehy (for S. McCarthy), F. Keating.

Cork Substitutes: M. O’Donovan, N. Hurley, A. O’Mahony, K. O’Connor, S. McCarthy, E. Baker, A Sheehan, A. Twomey, K O’Farrell, A. Donvan, C. O’Sullivan, L. Murphy, N. Crowley, M. O’Sullivan, A. McTaggart

Referee: Stephen McNulty (Wicklow)