Coláiste Oiriall had a convincing victory in the Under 14 Ulster final of Ladies Gaelic Football competition at a windswept Smitboro on Monday against Largy College. Deanann muid comhghairdeas ó chroi leo agus leis na bainisteoiri an Muinteoir Orla Ni Riada agus Dessie O Mochain. Is cúiteamh é ar an chailliuint sa chraobh faoi 16 coicís ó shin.

Coláiste Oiriall     5 – 12        Largy College    1- 6

Largy College started strongly and scored a goal within the first few minutes but two points in quick succession from Linda Ní Ghiolla Mhichil and Emma Ní Chleirchín settled the Coláiste Oiriall girls.  The Gaelcholáiste dominated for the remainder of the first half with goals from Eadaoin Nig Uidhir and Emma Ní Chleirchín. Eadaoin’s goal was the culmination of a co-operative effort in the forwards. The half time score was Coláiste Oiriall 2-7 and Largy College 1 – 1.

In the second half Linda Paddy Ní Ghiolla Mhichil scored a rather easy goal while Carla Ní Dhochartaigh also clinched a goal after the ball rebounded of the crossbar following a rasping shot by Eadaoin Nig Uidhir. Niamh Ní Chiaráin, playing at centre half back, successfully marked Megan McElvaney, Largy’s most effective forward. Niamh cried off with a recurring injury in the final stages of the game.

Megan Ní Chasaide scored four points while Carla Ni Chleirchín and Celine Ní Fhailigh proved to be a lethal combination at midfield. Hannah Ní Sceacháin and captain, Bronagh Ní Ruanaí also excelled while Linda Paddy proved to be an accurate free taker with a number of points from frees in the second half. The Coláiste Oiriall cailíní ran out easy winners in the end.

Under 16 Final

Coláiste Oiriall took on Thornhill College from Derry in the under 16 D Ulster final a fortnight ago in Beragh, County Tyrone with many of the same players involved for Coláiste Oiriall.  The Monaghan side started well putting the first score on the score board. However the Derry side responded quickly with a point and a goal. Things didn’t improve much for the Monaghan side in the first half with the girls trailing by four points at half time. The second half saw a great comeback from Coláiste Oiriall.

The positional switches of Niamh Ní Chiarnáin and Brónagh Ní Runaí in the back line, along  with the introduction of Carla Ní Dhochartaigh proved to be pivotal for the Monaghan side. The Monaghan girls quickly brought the Derry side back to a draw.  The remainder of the second half proved to be an extremely exciting encounter with point for point coming from both teams. With Éadaoin Nig Uidhir scoring two fantastic penalties to keep her side in the game.  When the final whistle blew the sides were level.

Coláiste Oiriall made a great start to the first half of extra time and quickly went two points ahead. Unfortunately they failed to capitalise on all their possession hitting a number of wides. The Thornhill side made no such mistake with their first attack of the half resulting in a great goal. At half time the sides were once again level.  The second half saw the Monaghan side begin to tire and the Derry side took full advantage of this, going two points ahead.

Celine Ní Fhailigh brought it back to one point between the sides in the closing minutes of the game.  However the Coláiste Oiriall girls were unable to rally one final attack and were defeated by a point.  The Coláiste Oiriall team had some impressive performances from Ellen Ní Bhriain, Emma Ní Chleirchín, Hannah Nic Sceacháin, Lynda Nic Giolla Mhichil and Hannah Ní Chleirchín.