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Lavey retained their
Keady’s Colette McKeever caused Lavey problems early on, raising the green flag twice but Lavey deployed Edelle Henry as a man marker and the switch worked, as Lavey went on to control the first half. Two goals from Paula McCloy and a third from Teresa McIlroy gave Lavey a 3-05 to Keady’s 3-01 lead at the interval.
Mary O’Kane increased Lavey’s lead with a hand-passed goal at the start of the second half. Paula McCloy won the clash and sent the ball into the square; O’Kane fielded and rounded her marker to send the ball past Keady ækeeper Colleen Comiskey.
Keady then took the game to Lavey; Claire Kinsella won the puck out and picked out Mairead Doyle who sent the ball over the bar to reduce the difference between the teams to six. Kinsella then pulled Keady within three, by adding two frees and an excellent point from play after a fine lay off from McKeever.
Lavey responded but some resolute defending from Patrice Murphy kept them at bay. Murphy made some great high catches to deny Mary O’Kane and Helen O’Neil a sight at goal. Free-taker Attracta McPeake extended Lavey’s lead to four but Keady quickly cut that lead to one, with Colette McKeever once again finding the back of the net.
Lavey responded immediately through a Paula McCloy goal, after great build up play from Denise McCann and Helen O’Neill. Mary O’Kane once again proved classy with an outstanding catch before offloading to Paula McCloy, who made no mistake firing the ball over the bar.
Further accurate free-taking from Keady’s Claire Kinsella kept them in the game as the reduced Lavey’s lead to two and despite six minutes of injury time the
“”I am so proud to be standing here as captain of a fantastic bunch of girls. Keady you are fantastic opposition, we always know that you will push us right to the end and you did that again today and I have no doubt you will be back again next year. To win two
“”I have to thank our managers without each of you none of this would be possible. Damian O’Boyle the main man, there’s not too many managers who would hold training sessions for those that missed but you did and that’s the sign of someone who has Lavey blood in their heart,”” said Lavey captain Siobhan Convery.
The day was an emotional one for Convery who dedicated the win to her father: “”It would be remiss of me not to mention my dad; he unfortunately could not be here today. After the Clonduff game he said that he would make it to the final. My daddy followed me all over
Keady captain Colette McKeever was understandably disappointed saying: “”To my own girl’s hard luck, Lavey you are brilliant and I have no doubt that you can go on and win the All-Ireland. I’d like to thank all our supporters and our managers Paul (Hughes) and Fergal (Doyle) without any of you we wouldn’t have made it this far.””
Loughgiel IIs added to the club’s success by being crowned Ulster Intermedaite Champions for the second year in a row. The Antrim side proved too strong for their Cavan opponents Castletara winning out on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-02.
Raquel McCarry pulled the strings for Loughgiel with some superb points from the placed ball, as well as from play. It took Castletara until the 20th minute to get on the scoreboard, Majella Smith pointing a free. Castletara did attack but Loughgiel’s defence remained strong Helena McGarry and Bronagh McAlonan clearing threats.
Despite the score-line, Castletara continued to battle well with ækeeper Geraldine Mulvanney pulling off some excellent saves. In the end Loughgiel’s experience was the difference as Louise McKeown and Aisling McFadden getting on the scoresheet.
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