Clann Éireann and Donaghmoyne retain titles

By Shaun Casey

CLANN Éireann Ladies picked up back-to-back county titles with a convincing win over Carrickcruppen in a repeat of last year’s final, which went to a replay.

Led by the new Armagh Ladies manager Greg McGonigle, Clann Éireann edged a low-scoring opening half as they led by two-points at the interval, 0-4 to 0-2.

But the contest changed dramatically in the second period when the girls in orange and white delivered a scoring spree that put considerable distance between the teams.

Clann Éireann took full control of the game and reeled off 1-10 on the bounce, holding Carrickcruppen scoreless for 25 minutes.

Niamh Murray, Player of the Match and top scorer on the day with 1-5, rattle the back of the net for the game’s first and only goal, stepping up to slot home from the penalty spot after Meabh McCambridge had been fouled.

Armagh star Caroline O’Hanlon led the Carrickcruppen charge, and she landed three of their four points, with Ciara Garvey also getting in on the scoring act, but they could do little to halt the Clann Éireann machine as they ran out comfortable 1-15 to 0-4 winners.

Elsewhere, the Donaghmoyne Ladies picked up a historic 21st Monaghan title in a row by defeating Emmet Og in the decider, 3-11 to 1-5.

Like the Armagh showpiece, things were tight in the first half and the underdogs actually had their noses ahead at the halfway point as they led 4-3. But Donaghmoyne turned it on in the second half to see out a commanding 12-point win.