Dungiven’s long road to Ulster final day

By Michael McMullan

DUNGIVEN’S journey to Saturday’s Ulster Junior ‘A’ Championship showdown with Brídíní Óga has been a long one on two fronts.

With the Bann crossing closed in Kilrea for roadworks, they’ll have to find an alternative route to Portglenone this weekend.

That is the story about their extra miles off the pitch. In side the white lines, Dungiven have needed extra-time in their last two games.

It gives them an extra layer to the threat they’ll carry against Brídíní Óga. On top of their quality and free-scoring player, Dungiven have been well tested.

In Brannagh Brolly (8-10) and Aideen McGonagle (10-28) they have sharpshooters but it’s their overall package that has seen them emerge from the Oakleaf County.

Despite a 1-13 to 2-7 defeat at the hands of Eoghan Rua, victories over Ballerin and Drumsurn helped them top their group. This offered them the straight route to the semi-finals.

Dungiven had an excellent victory over the league champions Castledawson in the semi-final. The ‘Dawson, managed by Dominic McKinley, hadn’t lost a game all year but Dungiven came out on top by the narrowest of margins at the finish after a thriller.

It was the first sign of their never-say-die spirit that has propelled them into Saturday’s Ulster final.

Dungiven faced Ballinderry in the Derry final and faced defeat straight in the face until Aideen McGonagle struck for an all-important equalising goal to send the game into extra-time, 2-11 each.

McGonagle was only getting started. She found the net twice in the first period of the extra-time to help her side into a 3-13 to 2-13 lead and they held firm in the end up.

They had little time to celebrate as they were on the road within the week to face the Cavan senior champions Lacken in the Ulster semi-final.

Yet again, it went to the wire and another extra 20 minutes were required and McGonagle was to the fore again, hitting 3-10 over the game.

They’ve had excellent performances from Brolly and McGonagle but Clara Ferris has been another player to catch the eye on their championship adventure. Orlaith Mullan and Eabha McElhinney have been others to chip but, collectively, they’ll need another one of their trademark performances to take the cup over the Bann.