Derry Ladies for Croke All Ireland Final
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Derry Captain Louise Glass battles through the Antrim defence during the All-Ireland Ladies Junior Football Championship Semi-Final between derry and Antrim.
DERRY Ladies dreams came true on Sunday 31st Aug, when they earned themselves a place in the All Ireland Jr. Final at Croke Park on Sunday 28th September.
The Oak Leaf girls put on an excellent display of football with a convincing win over Antrim in their semi final.
The game took place at Mullaghbawn (Newry) with a 3pm start. The Derry girls were quick to get into their stride with a point in the second minute of the game from Shauna McCallion which was followed up by a goal only thirty seconds later by Kathy Conway. Derry looked the dominant of the two sides in the first half adding to their early points tally with a further 6 points coming from Shauna McCallion (0-1), Shauna Vallely (0-1), Mary Angela Conway (0-1) and Ashleen Kealey (0-3). Derry conceded 5 points which gave a half time score of Derry 1-7 to Antrim 0-5. The second half was to see Derry turn the heat up even more. Again with a quick start, Kathy Conway knocked over the first point of the second half for Derry in 31 seconds.
One of the highlights of the second half was a superb goal from Ashleen Kealey which seen her kick in a high ball from the side line of the left wing which dropped in over the Antrim goalkeepers head, this goal along with her final points tally of 2-4 must have had some influence on the selectors who awarded Ashleen (bride to be) a well deserved Player of the Match trophy. Although the forwards were doing the job upfront, mention should be given to the Derry half back line, Dervla McMaster, Una Harkin, Clare Lagan and fullbacks Nuala Doherty, Nuala O'Hagan, Naomi McMullan and goalkeeper Breigeen Cassidy who denied Antrim of any goals and turned over many of the Antrim attacks. Also getting herself noticed in the second half was substitute Aine McCusker who took some good high ball catches upfront, laid off passes to her attacking forwards and also knocked over a couple of points of her own. Although well behind, credit must be given to the Antrim side who battled hard to the very end. On the blow of the final whistle, realisation for the Derry girls that dreams can come true and the prospect of playing in an All Ireland Final at Croke Park put smiles on faces and hugs for all. The final score Derry 4-16. Antrim 0-10 Derry now face London who beat Wicklow in the other semi final.
The management and team would like to thank their sponsors North West Drylining and all the supporters who travelled down to the game.
Derry Squad: 1.Breigeen Cassidy 2.Nuala Doherty 3.Naula O'Hagan 4.Naomi McMullan
5.Dervla McMaster 6.Una Harkin 7.Clare Lagan 8.Mary Angela Conway (0-1) 9.Kathy Conway (1-1) 10. JulieMcLaughlin (1-1) 11.Ashleen Kealey (2-4)12.Shauna McCallion (0-3) 13.Ursula Mullan 14.Louise Glass (0-3)Shauna Vallely (0-1)
Substitutes Subs who played. Claire Doherty, Michelle McAteer, Clodah Gormley, Emma Kelly, Aine McCusker (0-2). Subs Sinead Barker, Breige Convery, Ashlene Moore, Tracey Kelly, Emma Doherty.
