Ladies Minor Final

Belturbet / Redhills 2-18 - 0-06 Drumgoon
27 Nov 2022 - 11:30Killeshandra

THE first Cavan LGFA minor league final for 2022 took place in Packie Devlin Park, Killeshandra on Sunday morning between unbeaten Belturbet/Redhills and second place Drumgoon. Belturbet/Redhills led by captain Gemma Beatty had been in prolific from in the build up to the final with six wins from six. However, their opposition Drumgoon were expected to prove difficult opponents with plenty of talent amongst their squad. Drumgoon made a bright start to the game with the 1-08 to 0-04. opening point seconds into the tie from Rose Geoghegan. However, their opposition replied with five points on the bounce. Their opening score came from Ellen Murphy in the 2nd minute before captain Gemma Beatty added three in quick succession. Murphy Pointed once more in the 15th minute to give her side an early four point lead. The lead could have been greater but for an excellent save from Drumgoon goalkeeper Emma Carroll 5 minutes into the tie.
Ciara Lynch got her sides second of the game which was followed up by a point from county minor Catherine Ahearne from a free to close the deficit to two. A free from Beatty was instantly cancelled out by Ahearne’s second of the game after excellent build up play from her sister Sarah Jane and Laura Fox. The excellent Beatty added another two to her tally before striking the net in the 25th minute of the tie to give her side some breathing room at halftime after a closely contested opening half. Beatty’s goal left her side seven ahead at the break, 1-8 to 0-4
Beatty opened the second halves scoring with a free before a brilliant effort from Murphy sailed over the bar. Sarah Jane Ahearne finished off an excellent team move in the 7th minute to score her sides opening point of the half. However, they failed to convert another score for almost 15 minutes as Belturbet/Redhills enjoyed a dominant spell. Beatty added another double, one from play and one from a free before Muireann Donohue scored to push her side twelve points ahead mid way through the half. The leaders continued to pile on the pressure and some excel lent work from half time substitute Jessica McMahon and midfielder Ellen Murphy. Beatty converted another after a foul on Brianna Quaile. Jessica McMahon got a deserving score after excel lent individual play before Catherine Ahearne pointed her sides final score of the game. Beatty scored her ninth of the match to finish with an impressive tally of 1-09 as substitute Cara Loughran finished the game with a goal for her side to seal the victory,
Drumgoon: Emma Carroll, Philippa Hughes, Jorja O’Reilly, Laura Fox, Ciara Lynch (0-01), Orlaith Markey, Rose Geogegan (0-01), Catherine Ahearne (0-03), Hannah Morris, Sarah Jane Ahearne (0-01), Sophle Murphy, Eva O’Grady, Sheana Crossan. Alisha Sexton, Katie Hughes. Mairead Markey, Katie Clarke, Lauren Moynagh, Annie Hughes, Aoife Brazil 
Belturbet/Redhills: Caoimhe Belton, Adele Saulyte, Aimee Smith, Aoibhe Fay, Aoibhinn Smith, Aishling McKiernan. Brainna Quaile, Cara Loughran, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Ellen Murphy (0-05), Gemma Beatty (1-09). Jessica McMahon (0-01), Jodl Millar-Murphy, Kerrie Smith, Lauren McHugh, Maia Smith. Muireann Donohoe, Sinead Kelly