TG4 Ulster Senior Football Championship Final

Armagh 3-9 Donegal 0-7

By Michael McMullan

TWO goals from Aoife McCoy shot Armagh on their way to a fifth Ulster title in six seasons on Saturday afternoon in Clones.

After losing the league final, it sets up the Orchard County for a tilt at the All-Ireland title.

“For us this game was really important just considering after our league defeat,” said a joyous McCoy after the final whistle.

“We really weren’t happy with how we performed against Kerry and we’d obviously got beaten in the game before that as well.

“So, for us, this was mostly about a performance and I think we did that we were really good today.”

With Donegal proving tough to break down, Armagh were off target with early pot shots before McCoy hit the net to steady the ship.

It took just six minutes and it was all about incisions, drawing a player and making the right move. Even Laverty and Caroline O’Hanlon were both involved before the Dromintee player hut the net.

The fact Lauren McConville was even on hand, had they needed another pass, told the story of Armagh’s running game.

Niamh Henderson added a point before McCoy had the Donegal net rippling again. After taking possession a well outside the scoring zone, she literally weaved her way into the spaces before hammering to the net.

“I think we controlled it really well We took our chances when the opportunities came and showed on the scoreboard as well,” McCoy added, pointing to the satisfying nature of their performance.

At the other end, Donegal failed to make any inroads until Susanne White converted a free but Armagh came one again.

Points from Grace Ferguson, Emily Druse and Eve Lavery opened up a commanding interval lead.

Cait Gillespie and Katie Dowds kicked Donegal scores to give them hope of a comeback but it was quashed when Armagh found the net for a third time.

McCoy was involved again, this time passing for Coleman to slot low to the net, sealing the deal.

Speaking outside the dressing room, McCoy paid tribute to their fans who cheered them all the way as they walked off the pitch, with cup in hand.

“Look, it’s great,” she said. “Clodagh (McCambridge) had already said in her speech as well, but it’s brilliant to have days like this.

“It’s really great to see such a sea of orange and white when you’re there supporting the men and you’re a part of that. It’s nice to be on the other on the end of it and receiving it, it was lovely to have the support out there before the game.”

Armagh scorers: A McCoy 2-0, N Coleman 1-0, E Lavery 0-2, N Henderson, E Druse, G Ferguson, L McConville, K Mallon (1f), M Lennon, C McNally 0-1 each.

Donegal scorers: S White (2f), E Gallagher 0-2 each, C Gillespie, K Dowds, R McColgan 0-1 each.

Armagh: A Carr; M Ferguson, C McCambridge; M McCann; E Druse, C Towe, G Ferguson; L McConville; C O’Hanlon, N Coleman; A McCoy, B Mackin; E Lavery, N Henderson, N Reel
Subs: K Mallon for Reel (41), C Marley for L McConville (47), C McNally for C O’Hanlon (51), M Lennon for E Lavery (52), S Quigley for G Ferguson (54)

Donegal: C Friel; S McFadden, A Temple Asokuh, S McFeeley; N Carr, E McGinley, C Gillespie; A Walsh, R Rodgers; N Boyle, K Dowds, F McMenamon; J McFadden, M Bennett, S White
Subs: U Boyle for A Walsh (26), B McLaughlin for Temple Asokuh (26), TR Mahon for J McFadden (HT), E Gallagher for F McMenamon (43), R McColgan for M Bennett (43)

Ref: G Finnegan (Down).