means second Provincial title within a week Coláiste Oiriall Girls Under 16B team who clinched the Ulster title against St. Mary’s, Magherafelt and now go on to play in the All-Ireland semi-final on 13th March.
Colaiste Oiriall 2-9
St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt 1-10
Coláiste Oiriall defeated St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt by two points to win the Ladies football Under 20B Schools Ulster final in Garvaghy last Wednesday. This is the second Ulster medal for some of this panel within a week as Oiriall’s under 16 Girls tasted provincial victory the previous week.
Ronan McCarthy, Provincial Administrator, Ulster Ladies Gaelic Football, presents Coláiste Oiriall’s captain, Morgan Nic Cionna, with the Under 20B Cup.
In the Under 20 match Coláiste Oiriall benefitted from a gale force wind in the first half and opened the scoring with a point from corner forward, Karen Ní Mhanáis. This was followed by further points from midfielder, Lynda Paddy Nic Giolla Mhichil and right half forward, Chloe Nic Giolla Bhríde. Then disaster struck when St. Mary’s were awarded a free kick and as the ball approached the goals it dropped suddenly underneath the crossbar for a goal.
Oiriall responded enthusiastically with points from Lynda Paddy and further points from frees from Chloe Nic Giolla Bhríde and an excellent goal from Caoimhe Nic an Bhaird which was no doubt influential in her being awarded Laoch na hImeartha (Player of the Match). St. Mary’s scored a point before halftime to leave the score 1-9 to 1-11 at the break.
Hannah Nic Sceacháin, Blaithin Ní Dhulainn and Emma Ní Chleircin all contributed points, the latter coming deep from the half-back line to get on the scoreboard. Emma Ní Chleircín remained a stalwart in defence throughout.
Cuireadh an cheist an raibh Coláiste Oiriall chun tosaigh fada go leor ag leatham agus ar úsáid siad buntáiste na gaoithe maith go leor. Rinne cúl Chaoimhe Nic an Bhaird difear mór agus níor raibh iontas ar dhuine ar bith gur ainmníodh í mar Laoch na hImeartha. Ar ndóighe ba í Caoimhe captaen na foirne faoi 16B a bhuaigh Craobh Uladh an tseachtain roimhe sin.
Bronnann Ronan McCarthy ó Chumann Peil na mBan gradam Laoch na hImeartha (Player of the Match) ar Chaoimhe Nic an Bhaird
The wind was the decisive factor in the second half with Oiriall being penalised for failing to kick the ball out the required distance. Magherafelt All-Star, Orla Prenter was doing damage but Aisling Ní Ghallchóir picked her up. Prenter was kicking scores and converting frees.
Morgan NicCionna converted a penalty which had been won by Caoimhe Nic an Bhaird but there was no sin bin for the Magherafelt offender. This proved to be Oiriall’s only score of the half. The wind now favoured St. Mary’s and intense pressure was exerted on the Coláiste Oiriall backs. St. Mary’s continued to close the gap but Oiriall’s defence held solid to win by two points.
Níor éirigh le hOiriall ach scór amháin a aimsiú sa dara leath agus sin an cúl ó chic pionóis ó Morgan Nic Cionna. Bhí ár gcroí inár mbéal againn ar an taobhlíne agus Scoil Ghramadaí Naomh Mhuire ag tarraingt ar ais diaidh ar ndiaidh le cuidiú na gaoithe. Ní raibh an dara rogha ag Oiriall ach an cluiche gairid a imirt agus seilbh a choinneáilt ar an liathróid. Bhí faoiseamh orainn uilig an fheadóg dheireanach a chluinstin. Ar aghaidh leo anois go leathchraobh na hÉireann a bheas ar siúl Dé Sathairn, 13 Márta. Comhghairdeas leo!
Foireann Choáiste Oiriall: Alison Nic Giolla Bhríde, Claire Ní Dhufaigh, Niamh Ní Chiaráin, Helen Nic an Fhailigh, Chloe Nic Uaid,, Emma Ní Chleircín (0-1), Emily Ní Bhraonáin, Hannah Nic Sceacháin (0-1), Lynda Paddy Nic Sceachain, Chloe Nic Giolla Bhríde (0-3), Blaithín Ní Dhulain (0-1), Morgan Nic Cionna (captaen) (1-2) Karen Nic Mhanais (0-1), Aisling Ní Ghallchóir, Caoimhe Nic an Bhaird (1-0),
Ionadaí: Aoibhinn Ní Chianáin
Bainisteoir: Annette Ní Thuathail. Leasbhainisteoir: Chloe Bhreathnach
Laoch na hImeartha: Caoimhe Nic an Bhaird