GAA: Camogs lift Ulster crown

However Eoghan Rua produced a brilliant last quarter, striking home three goals, to pull away from the Down side to win 4-11 to 2-6 and lift the Ulster Senior title at their first attempt.

Eoghan Rua captain Meabh McGoldrick was abviously ecstatic after the game.

"We knew coming down here today that this was going to be the toughest game of our season, that Cloduff were a good side and were going to put it up to us," she said.

"That's the way it turned out. The fifteen people on the pitch, the players that came in and the entire panel all played their part in this victory. The work rate was unreal and I couldn't have asked more form the girls. They all gave everything they had."

Meabh referred to the serious work that has gone into the preparations by the management and players not just since the county final but over the season. "The ten months of hard work and training has paid off and we are thrilled to have won this Ulster title."

Eoghan Rua pulverised the Down side over that last twenty minutes outscoring them 3-5 to a goal. The Coleraine side's fitness and strength told in that crucial period as they coped with the surprisingly heavy Clann Eireann pitch towards the end.

A brilliant season for the Eoghan Rua side, winning the Derry senior title for the first time, got so much better as they secured the Ulster crown and now look forward to challenging for All-Ireland honours.

Clonduff got off to a great start and were full value for their 0-4 to nil lead by the 15th minute. Full forward Sara Louise Carr and wing forward Karen Gribben were causing all sorts of problems for an over worked Eoghan Rua defence in the opening stages.

Carr scored three of the four points and was fouled for the fourth, Fionnuala Carr pointing the free. It was looking ominous for Eoghan Rua at this stage but they eventually got onto the scoreboard in the 19th minute as Grainne McGoldrick sent over a long range free.

That seemed to settle the Coleraine side as the experienced Grace McMullan took a pass from Jane Carey to sweep over her side's second point. Grace and Grainne combined again for the latter to point and then in the 28th minute Eoghan Rua's top scorer levelled matter from a free.

The momentum had swung in Eoghan Rua's favour and they finished the half strongly taking the lead for the first time a minute from the end through a superb long range Grainne McGoldrick point.

Eoghan Rua were really on top now and they added to their lead with a well taken goal. Good pressure tackling from Rosanna McAleese led to a poor defensive pass across the 20 metre line which was superbly gobbled up by Jane Carey who hand passed into the Clonduff net.

From looking in real trouble early on Eoghan Rua had completely turned their fortunes around to lead 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

Whatever was said to the Clonduff side during the half-time break seemed to work a treat as within four minutes of the restart they were back on terms yet again.

Inside a minute they had the sliothar in the back of the Eoghan Rua net, again it was Sara Louise Carr doing the damage as she burst through to palm to the net.

Three minutes later Karen Gribben levelled matters with a fine point from long range. The sides then traded points as the good sized crowd in Lurgan began to get behind their respective teams. At this stage the destination of the title was very much in the balance, neither side having struck a knock-out blow.

Coming up to the final quarter Eoghan Rua did deliver a wilting blow as Maria Mooney did well to clear long out of defence, the ball was transferred to Grace McMullan who found Grainne McGoldrick, Kitty Fegan saved well but the rebound fell kindly to Mcmullan who made no mistake as she drilled to the net.

Two quick points followed from Grainne McGoldrick before Eoghan Rua did deliver a knockout blow. With just eight minutes left Rosanna McAleese sent in a long high ball which was superbly caught by Hannah Eastwood who turned and despite the close attention of Clonduff goalkeeper Kitty Fegan found the net from close range.

Clonduff heads visibly dropped at this stage and when Clare Tracy won a ‘45’ which Grainne McGoldrick drilled over the bar it was all but over for the down side.

ane Carey burst forward to point and yet another Grainne McGoldrick strike added to Eoghan Rua’s lead. Three players who had worked so hard throughout, Maureen Heneghan, Maeve Dillon and Sinead Boyle combined to set up Grainne McGoldrick for a well deserved goal capping another top scoring performance from the Derry Al-Star.

A late deflected goal from Orla Gribben was of little consolation for Clonduff as they were a well beaten side by that stage.

The Ulster title once again resides in Derry as Lavey were last year’s winners. They went on to All-Ireland glory. Eoghan Rua will savour this victory for a little while before contemplating emulating Lavey’s success.

They have earned that right with some graet displays this year and are fully deserving Ulster champions.

Eoghan Rua: Aileen Moore; Adelle Archibald, Kelly Maybin, Maureen Heneghan; Eilis McNamee, Meabh McGoldrick, Maria Mooney; Megan Kerr, Jane Carey; Maeve Dillon, Grainne McGoldrick, Sinead Boyle; Aisling Carey, Grace McMullan, Rosanna McAleese.

Subs used; Hannah Eastwood for A Carey, Clare Tracey for M Kerr, Niamh Archibald for R McAleese, Amy Holmes for S Boyle.

Eoghan Rua scorers: Grainne McGoldrick (1-9, 0-1 free, 0-1 ‘45’), Jane Carey (1-1), Grace McMullan (1-1), Hannah Eastwood (1-0)

Clonduff: Kitty Fegan; Onagh Gribben, Moya Maginn, Grace Brown; Leann McParlan, Fionnuala Carr, debra Murray; Lisa McPolin, Paul Gribben; Orla Maginn, Lorraine Maginn, Karen Gribben; Ciara Havern, Sara Louise Carr, Orla Gribben.

Clonduff scorers: Sara Louise Carr (1-2, 0-1 ‘45’), Orla Gribben (1-0), Fionnuala Carr (0-1), Karen Gribben (0-3, 0-2 frees)