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Lavey and Keady will compete for the Ulster Senior æB’ Club Championship title after both sides came through tough semi-final tests.
The first of Saturday’s matches saw Lavey take on Clonduff, at Lavey. The game was tipped to be a close encounter and it certainly lived up to expectations.
Mary O’Kane once again proved to be the difference as her first-half goal helped Lavey hold on for victory.
It was O’Kane who opened the scoring with a finely taken point but Clonduff responded through Sarah Louise Carr.
Lavey then found themselves in front with a well taken O’Kane goal, once again Clonduff responded with three points of their own. It was however, the home side that went into the break with a one point lead.
Fionnuala Carr had a fine game in the heart of defense, clearing her lines well and springing attacks, as the Lavey forwards struggled to penetrate. As the game went on, both sides looked to their free-takers to keep them in contention.
Attracta McPeake‘s frees were once again accurate, as she pointed long range efforts with ease. Clonduff’s Karen Gribben was proving vital in midfield for the Down side, she pointed three frees to keep her side in the game.
Clonduff battled hard but struggled without the creative play of regular half-forward Orla MaGinn, or a reliable free-taker, as they saw numerous chances of goal pass them by.
In the end Lavey were able to hold out for a five point win, 1-09 to 0-07.
“”We knew Clonduff were going to be tough opposition and their was the added pressure of playing at home but we don’t feel that we played our best on Saturday, it took us a long time to settle. In the end a win is a win whether you do it spectacularly or not doesn’t matter. It’s just fantastic to be in another Ulster Final but we know that there is still room for improvement and a a lot of work to be done before we take on Keady,”” said Lavey Captain Siobhan Convery.
Keady came through the other semi-final despite an excellent display from Tyrone champions Eglish.
It was the Tyrone side who came out the stronger of the two teams, scoring four unanswered points in a row (three from frees). Their dramatic start continued when Leona Gallagher raised the green flag with a well taken goal.
Keady could do little to contain the threat of the Eglish attacks and soon found themselves further behind when Claire Jordan pounced for Eglish’s second goal.
The Tyrone side seemed to be in full control as they went into the interval with a 2-04 to 0-00 lead. It was once again Eglish who came out the stronger team, Susan McCann pointing from a free. The Tyrone side were then dealt a blow when county captain Julie Lagan had to retire injured.
Keady were now eleven points down but Colette McKeever provided a moment of inspiration, after catching a high ball she cut through the Eglish defense before sending the ball into the back of the net. Eglish responed with another free but Claire Kinsella’s 45 gave Keady belief as they began their fightback. Kellyann Comiskey then drove forward and pointed the ball from play. Kinsella added two more points, one from open play, the second from a 45.
McKeever once again raised the green flag for Keady to give them a one point lead but Eglish fought back Shauna Jordan slotting the ball over from a free. With two minutes left the sides were now level but Keady pushed on for the win and Laura Comiskey, who had won the U18 championship player of the match award earlier in the week, spotted her chance driving the ball low into the corner of the net to cap a tremendous Keady fight back.
Results:
Ulster Senior ‘B’ Club Championship Semi-Finals: Lavey 1-09 vs 0-07 Clonduff
Keady 4-04 vs 2-07 Eglish
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