Termon ladies see their UIster and All-Ireland titles slip as Donaghmoyne take provincial crown

DONAGHMOYNE RECLAIMED THE Tesco Ulster Ladies’ SFC this afternoon and in doing so ended Termon’s dreams of back to back provincial titles, and indeed All-Irelands.

Termon 0-7 Donaghmoyne 0-14

Francie Friel’s side never got going in the autumnal surroundings of Killyclogher, Co Tyrone, and in Cathriona McConnell, Donaghmoyne had the game’s outstanding player, who scored no less than nine points.

At the other end, Termon’s leading light, Geraldine McLaughlin, was devoid of the type of service that saw her score 4-4 in last year’s final win over the same opposition.

And when the Termon skipper did get on the ball she was like the hive swarmed by the bees from the Monaghan county champions, led by Sharon Courtney.

Donaghmoyne were 0-9 to 0-4 up at the break, with Maureen O’Donnell having Termon’s best chance on 22 minutes. she opted to take her point, lobbing over Linda Martin’s crossbar following a pass from Shannon McGroddy.

At the end of the first period, Termon lost Therese McCafferty to the sin-bin, with referee Kieran McKeever from Armagh signalling the decision was arrived at due to persistent fouling.

Video: Cathriona McConnell was the Player of the Match as Donaghmoyne won the Tesco Ladies Ulster SFC against Termon today. Video courtesy of Jerome Quinn Media.

Termon moved McLaughlin closer to goal in the second half with O’Donnell swimming deeper and deeper in a bid to win possession for her team.

By the 40th minute, there was an inkling of hope for the Burn Road outfit. Roisin Friel pulled them back to 0-10 to 0-6 down and although nowhere near their lofty-standarded best, were within touching distance.

McGroddy, whose direct running was a source of optimism for those in maroon, was also the victim of a couple of heavy hits.

Donaghmoyne captain and centre-fielder Eileen McElroy was showed a yellow card on 39 minutes for a foul too many and then, a minute later, she was joined on the sidelines by full-back Hazel Kingham for a very late challenge on McGroddy.

With Therese McCafferty having served her time, Termon were 15 to 13 players up, however that numerical advantage was halved within two minutes when Nicole McLaughlin was yellowed for being too frisky in the tackle with Cora Courtney.

However, that was as close as Termon would get. The tit-for-tat nature of the contest continued for another few minutes but when Donaghamoyne scored what proved to be the last three points – all coming from the boot of Cathriona McConnell – the curtain finally fell.

“Termon have brought us onto a new level and no doubt we’ll see them again,” Donaghmoyne captain Eileen McElroy said in her victory speech.

She mightn’t be too far wrong.

Termon: Laura Gallagher; Petra McCafferty, Emer Gallagher, Nicole McLaughlin; Maria Carr, Therese McCafferty, Meabh McDaid; Shannon McGroddy (0-1), Roisin Friel (0-2); Olive McCafferty, Roisin McCafferty, Lucy O’Flynn; Maureen O’Donnell (0-3, 2f), Geraldine McLaughlin (0-1), Niamh Friel. Subs: Anna Gallagher for P McCafferty (7), P McCafferty for O McCafferty (36), Dara Kelly for P McCafferty (58), Hollie McDaid for Carr (60).

Donaghmoyne: Linda Martin; Fiona Courtney, Hazel Kingham (0-1), Niamh Friel; Joanne Geoghegan, Sharon Courtney, Joanne Courtney; Eileen McElroy, Amanda Casey; Cathriona McConnell (0-9, 3f), Cora Courtney, Fiona Lafferty (0-1); Sandra McConnell (0-1), Niamh Callan (0-1), Rosemary Courtney (0-1).

Referee: Kieran McKeever (Armagh).