22 October 2006

Ulster Club Championship - Final

An Charraig Mhór 2 -03 Donaghmoyne 1 -14 There are times when you come up against a team that are stronger and are playing well - on such days there`s not a great deal you can do except battle away to the end. This was the case today at Fintona, and facing a Donaghmoyne side at the top of their form, Carmen simply had no answer except their usual grit, determination and "never say die" attitude. Donaghmoyne on the other hand had full forward Catriona McConnell - player of the game and scorer of ten points, including all six of her sides second half scores. On this form the Monaghan girls will surely give the All-Ireland a "rattle" as the bitterly disappointed Carmen squad must reflect on a season of great achievement and plan for another day. McConnell posted a sign of things to come in the 4th minute with a pointed free from the 45 metre line. Centre forward Majella Woods ran through for two points in the 8th and 9th minute and midfielder Amanda Casey goaled in the 12th minute. Already Carmen were struggling to come to terms with the two times Ulster champions. Carmen`s first score came from a Gemma Begley free on the quarter hour, but straight from the kick out Donaghmoyne stormed up the field and Catriona McConnell took here second point. Casey found the target again in the 18th minute and a rare raid upfield yielded Carmen`s second point from an Elaine Coyle free in the 20th minute. Amanda Casey once again pointed a fisted effort and McConnell converted a free to put Donaghmoyne eight points ahead with five minutes still to play in the second half. Elaine Coyle and Catriona exchanged pointed frees in the dying minutes of the half, but it was clear that it would take something exceptional to turn this game. Early pressure from Carmen yielded a couple of chances from frees but both went a begging from reasonable range. Carmen were defending heroically with Roisin Rafferty and Connie Fox coping well despite the unrelenting pressure. Then McConnell really started to turn on the style; five points -(two from frees)- in the third quarter took the game well away from Carmen. Still Carmen never stopped trying; Gemma Begley, Maire Grogan and Lynette Hughes in particular fought for every ball. Claire Gallagher was introduced and in the 50th minute hit the post as if to further underline the fact that this was not Carmen`s day. Two minutes later Gallagher`s efforts were rewarded with a goal, but back came Donaghmoyne and McConnell pointed again from distance. Gemma Begley hit Carmen`s second goal two minutes from time, but it was little more than a consolation on a very disappointing day. Team: C. Donnelly, R.Rafferty, C. McCallan, A. Loughran, C. O`Kane, C. Fox, E. Fox, L. Hughes, M. Slane, N. Hurson, G. Begley(1-01), K. McAleer, E. Coyle(0-02), M. Grogan, S. McAleer. Subs Used: P. McGurk(for Hurson), S. McCann(for McAleer), C. Gallagher(1-00)(for Coyle), R. McCartan(for E. Fox).

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