'Unbelievable feeling' as Derry bask in All-Ireland triumph

Festival of Football Gold All Ireland Football Final

Derry 4-9

Tipperary 2-6

AFTER their first ever all Ireland title success on the ladies football front last year, Derry added a second on Saturday afternoon when they landed the U14 All-Ireland Gold title at Clan na Gael, Dundalk.

“It's an unbelievable feeling” was how manager Stephen Lomas put it following the game. Just twelve months ago it was the U14 Bronze crown and this year under the guidance of Lomas they made sure of following this up with the Gold title. 

“To see what this meant to so many people was brilliant. We said all year we wanted to put Derry ladies football back to where it belonged and to do that was special”

The young Oakleafers built up an eight point lead by the break and a blistering start to the second period from top scorer Brianna Donaghy with 2-2 made sure there was no way back for the Tipperary side. 

The Steelstown man had the belief in his side even before a ball was kicked this year that this side had what it took to be in for a memorable year.
“We knew we had a very talented bunch of girls but we needed to create a culture and environment in the team that combined skill and hardwork. And we knew if we could get a commitment and buy in to what we were trying to do we would go well.”

On Saturday everything they have worked on through the Ulster campaign and in the all Ireland series was executed perfectly on Saturday afternoon in this sides biggest day ever. 

“Everything we have worked on was on show, although the result was ultimately the main thing.”

“It was a complete display of football and a great example of executing a game plan. 

Their ability to control and dominate the football was unreal for ladies at this age and the relentless intensity from the start to finish in a tough heat showcased the hard work they have put in.”

Derry raced into an early advantage 1-4 to 0-1, as Lomas and his management team have drilled into the girls from day one, no matter what the lead the game is level and they just keep going. “Same thing we say to them every game when we are leading, scores are back level.” 

“We knew Tipp would want to react and come hard at us but I wanted and knew we could match that and go beyond it to kill the game.”

The eventual winners started the better of the sides with the games opening three points through two Ava Hurl frees either side of a Rionach McNally effort. Tipperary responded with a Lily Flannery long distance free but Hurl with another free and then the Magherafelt girl became provider as she set up McNally who made no mistake to fire to the net before the water break. 

Kerri Lee Mullan added a point for Derry but two Abbie Horgan converted frees kept Tipperary hanging in there. However, Derry were to get a huge boost before the break when they struck for their second major of the afternoon. It came from Glen player Donaghy as she stared down the eyes of the Tipp ‘keeper she rifled to the net to leave it at the interval 2-5 to 0-3.

While the Munster side did open the scoring on the resumption through Elena Cody, Derry soon put further daylight between the teams. That girl again Brianna Donaghy with an unanswered 2-2 all but making sure the title was heading back to Derry.

To their credit Tipperary would never give up and got heir reward with goals from Chloe O’Neill and Aoibhinn Casey but Derry had this one already sewn up. Their last two points coming from Donaghy who finished with 3-3 and Aoibh Shivers came forward to pop one over before the celebrations began for the young Oaks.

Back to back titles shows the good work been done at clubs, schools and all over the county and Lomas was quick to praise all those involved.

“Winning bronze last year was a good accomplishment but we wanted to rub shoulders with the best teams in Ireland based on our goal at the start of year. So in 7 months to play levels beyond that and win Ulster and an All Ireland GOLD is special... The clubs of Derry and schools need to take huge credit and pride also with work going in ladies football - Yesterday will hopefully push it on further and light a fire under it at all ages”

The final word came from Lomas on his team and management and you can feel the pride he has for each and everyone of those and why not this is a proud day for everyone involved and the county of Derry. 

“These girls are an absolute special team on and off the field and should be very proud of themselves, at 13 and 14 years of age they have become pioneers of ladies football in Derry!

“I can't say enough great things about the other mentors on the management team, Aine, Mickey C, Donna, Tony and Eoghan have all contributed massively to what we collectively built this year, the collectively knowledge and environment the girls got access too was unreal”

Scorers: 

Derry: B Donaghy 3-3, R McNally 1-1, A Hurl 0-3f, KL Mullan 0-1, A Shivers 0-1.

Tipperary: C O’Neill 1-0, A Casey 1-0, A Horgan 0-2f, L Flannery 0-2 (1f), E Cody 0-2.Derry: Annie Rogers; Emma McVey, Emma McGarvey, Karen Birt; Lauren Armstrong, Aoibh Shivers, Amber Sargent; Aine Young (capt), Eva Forbes; Kerri Lee Mullan, Saorla Quinn, Rionach McNally; Rionach Conlan, Brianna Donaghy, Ava Hurl. 

Rest of the Panel: Katie Loughrey, Mansi Bhavsar, Aoife McNally, Nuala McKenna, Cassie Conway, Casey King, Eve Mallet, Ella Rafferty, Eva Grant, Emily Mullan, Isobelle Regan, Riona Scullin, Sinead McErlean, Cora Quinn, Darcie Murphy, Aoife Kelly, Cara McElhinney, Catherine Donaghy, Eireann Furey, Ellen McGuckin, Faye McGuckin, Mary Cleary, Sienna Murray, Sinead McSorley. 

Tipperary: S Carr; S Hannafin, E Gleeson, C Butler; N Buckley, S Ferris, B Delaney; H Kiely, A O’Connor; A Gleeson, L Flannery, A Horgan; A Butler, N Dwan (c), C Fitzgerald. Subs used: L Moloney, C O’Neill, A Casey, E Cullinan, K Carey, M Callum, B Woodlock, R O’Brien, E Cody, R Hewitt, A Purcell, A Quirke, SR Meehan, S Moynihan, J Carey.

Ref: Philip Conway (Armagh)