Ballymaguigan 6-4
Steelstown 3-10
SIX is the magic number, just six days after losing the Intermediate final, Ballymaguigan hit six goals to land the senior title on Friday evening in Owenbeg.
“Rollercoaster,” was how Annie Crozier summed it up. That is probably right for the Ballymaguigan captain and players. On Saturday, the ‘Guigan girls had lost the Intermediate final after extra-time to Magherafelt, dreams shattered for another year, their season over. On Tuesday evening they were asked would they like to play in the senior final as the Rossa, as Intermediate champions elected not too. Then on Friday, Ballymaguigan were crowned senior champions for the first time when they dethroned the mighty Steelstown. Fittingly, it was a crazy game to end a crazy week.
On what was a surprising evening weather wise in Owenbeg, with conditions perfect we were treated to a thriller, goals galore and two teams just going at it. No doubt, Steelstown will wonder how they didn’t retain the title, they missed a handful of goal chances but a more clinical Ballymaguigan didn’t and the three on the stroke of half-time was the moment they look control of this absorbing encounter.
The fact Steelstown looked rusty, without a competitive game since the league ended did not help their cause. That said, this was a Ballymaguigan side that probably didn’t know what was happening after the six days they had just come through. For many years, Ballymaguigan had not put on their best displays in finals and when they found themselves 1-5 to 1-0 down, they may have been thinking not again.
Emma Doherty (free) and Dara McKeever give the City girls the early advantage. The two full-forward line of McKeever and Leah McGonigle already looking a treat while Orla McGeough was settling in nicely. Gradually Ballymaguigan began to pass the ball around. A few opportunities went before Lauren Crozier rattled the net on five minutes for their first major. It was a game where both sides struggled to get possession out of their half for times after the opposition attacked.
With McGeough spraying passes about, pinpoint into the dangerous duo, Steelstown always looked dangerous. McGonigle (2), Doherty and a goal from McKeever opening up a five point lead, the goal coming from another perfectly weighted pass from McGeough. After an Anna Martin free, Kayla Letters almost ripped the netting with a clinical finish at the start of the second quarter and suddenly it was a one point game.
Erin Doherty, Aoife McGlone, Kate Gribben and Nicole Nugent were instrumental for the winners. Gribben levelled and then was taken out off the ball after the score that resulted in a sin bin for Caoimhe O’Kane. Erin Doherty struck their third goal, Nugent, Gribben and McGlone all involved. Emma Doherty struck her third of the day but two killer goals on the stroke of half time for Ballymaguigan give them a 5-2 to 1-6 lead at the break. Lauren Crozier with the first, a move similar to Erin Doherty’s goal and then from the kickout McGlone nipped in and chipped the ball back over ‘keeper Lea Casey.
While open in the opening half, Ballymaguigan packed their defence in the second. McKeever on target after a patient Steelstown move. Another super McGough pass picked out McKeever and with a goal at her mercy, Seona Walls stood firm to deny her. Katie Holly was sinbinned for Steelstown but a Doherty free reduced the defeat to six. McGlone struck for her second goal when she turned over the ball and after linking with Rachel Keenan she fired high to the net. While nine clear, the game still never looked a certain Ballymaguigan victory. Emma Doherty drove wide from a penalty before landing a free. A second penalty, this time converted by McGonigle had the deficit cut to five again, 10 minutes from home. Clare McCartney was sin binned for the challenge leading to the penalty. Martin with two from frees kept the Ballymaguigan scoreboard ticking.
McKeever was again denied by player of the match Walls before Ciara McGurk whizzed one over. Deep into added time the deficit was cut to two when McGeough slid onto a free from Emma Doherty to divert to the net. However, that was to be the final action as unbelievable scene broke out. Tears of heartbreak in Glen six days earlier to tears of uncontrollable joy in Owenbeg. A night, a week that the people Ballymaguigan will never forget. They now head to Cavan to face Lurgan in the Ulster club championship.
Team and Scorers
Ballymaguigan: Aoife McGlone 2-0 and Lauren Crozier 2-0 each, Erin Doherty and Kayla Letters 1-0 each, Anna Martin 0-3 (f), Kate Gribben 0-1.
Steelstown: Leah McGonigle 1-2 (1-0p), Emma Doherty 0-5 (f), Dara McKeever 1-2, Orla McGeough 1-0, Ciara McGurk 0-1.
Ballymaguigan: Seona Walls; Duvessa Quinn, Claire McCartney, Joanne Corr; Anna Mulholland, Nicole Nugent, Kate Gribben; Annie Crozier, Kayla Letters; Rachel Keenan, Anna Martin, Dervla Stinson; Erin Doherty, Lauren Crozier, Aoife McGlone.
Subs: Jemma Shivers for D Stinson, Aoife McOscair
Steelstown: Lea Casey; Orlaigh McGough, Aoife McGough, Kate Harkin; Niamh Friel, Tara Burns, Eva Ferguson; Megan Devine, Katie Holly; Caoimhe O’Kane, Orla McGeough, Ciara McGurk; Leah McGonigle, Dara McKeever, Emma Doherty.
Subs: Katherine Canavan for N Friel, Anna Boyle for O McGough.
Referee: Martin McErlain
