The well worn cliché goals wins games was certainly to the fore in this entertaining and keenly contested Ulster Ladies minor club final, as the raising of 2 green flags in the opening 18 minutes give the Tyrone champions a cushion on the scoreboard that they held onto right till the end, as Emmet Og went all out in search of a first provincial title. Sharpness and an extra little bit of pace seen Carrickmore spring out of the traps from the start as they won the throw in and the ball was immediately fed out to Sorcha Gormley, who’s movement and pace was a constant threat to the Emmet Og rear guard set off on a direct run at goal. With the Og’s defence quickly converging on the quick corner forward, space opened up inside for Clodagh Munroe to latch onto a well placed pass and she blasted to the roof of the net to give the Red hand representatives the perfect start inside the opening minute. Indeed Gormley was to contribute to the next 2 scores as she took a point herself in the 3rd minute and then played in Caitlin Gormley for a point to put her side 1-02 up by the 7th minute. Emmet Og did have their chances in that opening few minutes but some wayward shooting seen them go to the 10th minute before Sarah Tierney got the first of her points from a free. The Monaghan champions were then reduced to 14 players in the 14th minute when Brenna Tierney had little option but to foul Sorcha Gormley as she once again waltzed her way through the Ogs defence. Unperturbed the Carrickmore corner forward picked herself up from the ground and fired over the free to make it 1-03 to a point at the first water break. Similar to the start of the game, Carrickmore were again quick out of the traps for the resumption after the water break and a swift move up the field again seen Clodagh Munroe with space in front of goal where she finished soccer style to the back of the net. Emmet Og did also create goal chances as Sarah Tierney found space and time to get in behind the Carrick rear guard and while a tug on the jersey as she broke through was given as an advantage, her shot was at a nice height for Rosie Kerr to save, however referee Maggie Farrelly had kept her hand up for the advantage and Sarah popped over her and Emmet Ogs 2nd point. 2 further points however from the impressive Clodagh Munroe who was certainly giving Sorcha Gormley a run for her money as player of the match and the afore mentioned Gromley seen Carrickmore take in a 2-05 to 2 point lead at the break. Another quick start from them seen them extend that lead inside the opening minute of the 2nd half to 2-06 to 2 points, but amazingly that was to be their last score of the game, as Emmet Og began to put phases of play together and win the one on one battles all over the field. Sarah Tierney reduced the deficit with a goal in the 13 minute, when her effort of a point dipped in under the cross bar and she added to that 2 minutes later with a point from a free to make it 1-03 to 2-06.
Carrickmore did also have their chances with Emmet Og keeper Leah Larmer pulling off a number of fine saves, one of those been point blank as Sorcha Gormley bore down on her. From that resulting piece of play the umpire drew the referees attention to an incident which seen Rionach Mc Callan receive a yellow card and Emmet Og move up the field and Chloe Brady fire over a point to leave 5 between the sides. With Carrickmore very much on the back foot, Og’s were stringing some very impressive moves together and when Sarah Tierney was again fouled on route to goal, it was set for grand stand finish as she stood over a 14 metre free with the opposition lining the goal. As was expected the forward went for goal with a powerfully driven shot but it was well saved on the line before been cleared up the field. A strong run from Amy Joe Kierans who spent most of her afternoon in close contact with the practically unmarkable Sorcha Gormely resulted in one last score for the Monaghan champions, but it was to be Carrickmores days as their early goals was enough to see them over the line on a 2-06 to 1-05 score line.
Emmett Og :- Leah Larmer, Alicia Greenan, Aine Mc Phillips, Megan Agnew, Eabha Quigley, Orna Mc Cooey, Mairead Cusack, Chloe Brady(0-01), Bronagh Mc Phillips, Amy Jo Kierans (0-01), Shannon Murphy, Brenna Tierney, Fearne Monaghan, Sarah Tierney (1-03 2F), Lily Monaghan.
Subs:- Holly Agnew, Casey Mc Aree, Niamh Mc Cooey, Aisling Mc Cooey, Enya Cosgrove.
Carrickmore :- Roise Kerr, Clare Donnelly, Aoibhinn Daly, Rionach McCallan, Caoimhe Coyle, Clara Gormley, Blathnait Kerr, Cloda McNamee, Caitlin Gormely (0-01) , Aine Grimes, Clodagh Munroe (2-01), Alanagh Mc Callan, Siofra Loughran, Aoibhin Canavan, Sorcha Gormley (0-4 3F).
Subs:- Clara Rose Marley, Sinead Mc Elhone, Maeve Mc Crystal, Aibrean Keyes, Lauren McMahon, Orlaith Mc Elduff in for Caoimhe Coyle., Niamh Mc Elduff, Jane Mc Callan, Alannah Loughran, Marie Kerr, Eimear McGarrity.
