Armagh Ladies prove too strong for Donegal as they retain their Ulster crown

Armagh retained their Ulster title with an 11-point win over Donegal this afternoon.

A huge crowd descended upon St Tiernach’s Park as this game opened for the men’s Ulster Final between the same two counties, and the Orchard girls rose to the occasion.

Two early goals from Aoife McCoy set Armagh on their path to triumph, as they took the lead early and never relinquished it.

Her first goal came on six minutes, as a slick handpassing move which involved Eve Lavery and Caroline O’Hanlon put her through one on one, and she drilled the ball into the roof of the net.

Niamh Henderson added to the Orchard County’s lead, before McCoy netted for a second time on 13 minutes. On this occasion it was all down to the Dromintee woman as she claimed possession some 30 metres out from goal, went on a driving solo run and slotted past Claire Friel to put Armagh seven ahead.

At the other end, Donegal were plagued by wasteful shooting in front of the posts, with their solitary first half point coming from a Susanne White free.

However, Armagh responded with scores from Emily Druse and Eve Lavery, before Grace Ferguson put the icing on the cake for their impressive first half performance with a superb point from distance.

Donegal were first off the mark in the second half with a White, but Armagh’s Lauren McConville added her name to the scoresheet, as she shrugged her way through a couple of challenges and slotted over with her left foot.

James Daly’s side weren’t going away quietly however, with Cait Gillespie and Katie Dowds finding the mark.

But Armagh put the game beyond all reasonable doubt 15 minutes from the end of time with their third goal. McCoy turned provider on this occasion, supplying a wide-open Niamh Coleman, and she made no mistake in sliding her effort into the bottom corner to put 10 between the sides.

Rhiana McColgan and Eva Gallagher (two) scored in consolation for Donegal, whilst Kelly Mallon (free), Lavery, Maeve Lennon and Caoimhe McNally closed out the scoring for the victors.

Scorers – Armagh: 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: 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; C O'Hanlon, N Coleman; L McConville, A McCoy, B Mackin; E Lavery, N Henderson, N Reel. Subs: K Mallon for Reel (40), C Marley for L McConville (48), C McNally for C O’Hanlon (51), M Lennon for E Lavery (51), 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).

Referee: Gavin Finnegan (Down).