Donaghmoyne ladies are back in the provincial arena

By Niall Gartland

DONAGHMOYNE ladies are back in the big time after a two-year absence from the Ulster Senior Ladies Championship. A hiatus, you could call it.

Defeat in the 2024 Monaghan Senior Championship semi-final to Magheracloone marked the end of Donaghmoyne’s 22-year stranglehold in the county, while they lost out in last year’s final to Emmet Óg. This year, they’re well and truly back. They clinched a comprehensive victory over Magheracloone in the Senior Championship final, and now they’re stepping into the provincial arena. They have quite the record: Donaghmoyne are miles ahead on the roll of honour list having won 14 titles, but after winning four Ulster titles in the trot between 2019 and 2022 (there was no competition in 2020), Clann Éireannn and holders Moneyglass have shared the last three titles.

Team manager Annmarie Burns says that their two lean years was a salutary lesson. County championships aren’t handed out on reputation alone.

“In 2024 we were beaten at the semi-final stage and it was just one of those things. It was a bad season but we’d been hit by injuries, and girls away travelling.

“Last year we put a big effort to get back, and we were really disappointed to lose the county final, and that’s taking nothing away from Emmet Óg. I suppose that feeling of disappointment has given us the kick we needed – we have a bit of bite back.”

Donaghmoyne can call upon generational players who have seen it all. Familiar surnames amound who starred in almost countless successful campaigns of yesteryear, but they’re bringing in a fresh batch of talented younger players.

Burns said: “I suppose we set out our stall to get back to the top of the tree in Monaghan. We’ve had a good year, and after winning the championship we played in the Division One league semi-final and came through thta one as well. We also have a B team fielding at Junior level, so we’ve a good pick and try to make the most of that.

“We still have the Courtneys, Hazel Kingham, Cathriona Murnaghan, Linda Martin – the Garlands, Emer Treanor, Aoife Burns. We’ve some good minors coming through as well. The team nearly picked itself for years but we’ve a good blend of youth and experience.”

Standing in their way of an opening round victory is a Bredagh team also accustomed to playing in Ulster. They lost the 2021 final (against Donaghmoyne) and 2023 (against Clann Éireann) so they’ll be determined to make their mark.

“Bredagh have won nine titles in-a-row in Down so they’re a very seasoned team. We’ve had tight matches against them down the years and we’re expecting another this weekend.”