Ulster u16 Final

Ulster - U16 – Platinum Final

Monaghan V Cavan (Sat 13th May 2023)

The Breffini county put paid to Monaghans hopes of lifting the silverware.

Monaghan were well aware of the task that stood ahead of them in the ulster final, as they were outclassed by the said team in the opening round of the ulster U16 championship.   That said, it was their first round and they improved with every game to reach the platinum final.

From the throw-in the Cavan ladies played with determination and shrewdness, winning the midfield ball Lauren Miney was quickest out of the blocks to send a clever pass to Kate Fegan and within a half minute of play Cavan had their first major. They followed up with three frees from the boot of Mia Lynch, while a second major in the form of a penalty rebound with Ella Sheridan on hand to boot it into the net. In the space of 7 minutes Cavan had 2:3  to no replay with Monaghan finding it impossible to get a handle on proceedings, in the 8th minute things changed with the Farney girls coming more into the game. A free put over by Megan Boyle was after the hardworking Aine Maguire was fouled was the first for Monaghan. With more resolve and better tackles from the farney co, they began to reap rewards as point no 2 was put over by Caoimhe Kelly, the purple patch continued for Monaghan as another two points sailed over the bar curtsey of Katie McAdam after good work outfield by Alison Gilliland, Caoimhe Kelly and Aine Maguire. Cavan were now on the back foot, however they did secure a free for a foul on Mia Lynch with a Ella Sheridan firing over. Monaghan got back on track with another free from Megan Boyle while the same player landed a major from an outfield free that sailed in over the head of the Cavan keeper. With the minimum now down to a two-point gap things were looking good for the farney County, alas it didn’t stay that way for long as Cavan began to attack at pace with Monaghans keeper Niamh Maguire having to pull off a fine save to deny Mia Lynch another green flag. Cavan put on attack after attack with goalie Niamh Maguire having to be called twice more to keep the danger out. Cavan did put over another four points three from play with a free secured by Ella Sheridan. The half time stood at Cavan 2:8     Monaghan 1:5

The second half seen Monaghan put over with Katie McAdam to the fore once more. However, with only two minutes gone Monaghan suffered a sinbin with Annie Carroll having to sit it out for ten minutes. Ellie Devlin was brought on to replace Julie Finan in the forward line as Cavan secured the next score from the efficient Mia Lynch. The hardworking Caoimhe Kelly won a free for the farney with Megan Boyle duly putting over in the 10th minute and this was to be the final score of the day for Monaghan. Cavan put over two from play but the Cavan keeper had to be extremely alert to pull off a great goal save to deny Katie McAdam the honours. Both sides went through a spell of good tackles and a fine workrate but it didn’t pay any dividends for Monaghan, Cavan brought on Kaitlyn Cahill to the field with a second sinbin for Monaghan seen Ellie Flannagan having to leave the field in the 17th minute as a double substitution was brought on in Karyn Mc Ginn and Megan Mc Nulty. Clodagh Clarke put over two in a row as another sub entered the field for the breffini girls with Niamh Mc Caffrey joining the play. Cavan suffered a sinbin also when Caitlin Crowe had to leave the play, however, the action continued as the Cavan no 1 had to be alert to danger once again from Monaghan who never gave up. Georgia Breslin took up her spot on the field as the clock time down. Cavan exerted the most pressure on the game resulting in a fine point by Katie O’Meara with third major arriving shortly after as the rebound from a fine save by Niamh Treanor seen Mia Lynch on hand to raise the green flag once again

Final Score

 Cavan 3:15   

 Monaghan 1:7          

experiences gained by the Breffni girls in recent ulster schools football stood to them in their first U16 outing. Monaghan on other hand were playing catch up all over the field. While development in Cavan is further ahead, Monaghan have been in the ulster finals at all grades in the past few years and were once again expected to be competing well against their provincial counterparts.

Saturday however showed a huge divide, but given it was their first day out, the team no doubt will bounce back as the games proceed.

Final score Monaghan 1:7    Cavan 3:15

 Monaghan:

Niamh Maguire, Aimee Freeman, Alannah Mc Gahan, Aoife Hamilton, Millie Burns, Ellie Flannagan, Michaela Grew, Alison Gilliland, Annie Carroll, Caoimhe Kelly 0:1 Katie McAdam 0:3 Cait Hughes, Julie Finan, Aine Maguire, Megan Boyle 1:3 

Subs used: Megan McNulty, Ellie Devlin, Karyn Mc Ginn, Georgia Breslin.

Cavan:

Fainche Higgins, Ciara Hegarty, Cora Mc Donnell, Kristina Grigorenko, Ailbhe Kennedy, Katie May Reilly, Caitlin Crowe, Emilia Mussi, Lauren Miney, Ruby Gilmartin, Ella Sheridan 1:2/2f Kate Fegan 1:1 Mia Lynch 1:6/3f), Clodagh Clarke 0:2 Katie O’Meara 0:4 

Subs used: Kaitlyn Cahill, Niamh Mc Caffrey.