St Macartan’s, Donaghmore and Trillick were crowned Tyrone ladies championship winners on a great day for ladies club football at Loughmacrory on Saturday. All three county finals sponsored by Pat Fahy and Co Solicitors produced some entertaining football although they did go with the form guide in the end.

Trillick trailed by a point at half time in the junior final as Moy bagged two first half goals through Nina Murphy and Kelley Fay . Cathleen Kelly had found the net early in the game for Trillick but an experienced Moy came back  and held the upper hand. Through an opportune Emma Brennan goal the Reds were back in the contest after the break and they finished well with a third goal from Kelly and a fourth to wrap up the title through Aoibheann Mc Caoughey.

Moy worked hard, Emer Currie tagging on four points over the hour but the heartbreak of losing last years final was a clear driver for this St Macartans side.

Trillick indeed played some good football with Nuala Kelly and Captain Cathy Donnelly having outstanding outings, Emma Brennan was strong going forward while Fiona Owens kept the scoreboard ticking over and the fine finishing of Kelly edged the Reds home as it ended Trillick 4.9 Moy 2.6.

A new Brenda Logue memorial cup presented for the first time by Carl Logue to Cathy Donnelly after the game.

A powerful opening seven minute spell that produced 3.2 for Donaghmore set the St Patricks on course for the Tyrone intermediate title against a Clann Na Gael side that only briefly raised a challenge in the second half when in a five minute spell they found the net three times. In reality though the damage was already done. Donaghmore led by twelve at the break after Zoe Loughran found the net twice and Rebecca Quinn rattled the net in that opening spell,Michaela Mc Guigan also found the net in the first half with Beth Noore, Aisleen Conlon , Emma Hegarty and Quinn also among the points. Mc Guigan scored her second goal after the restart as Donaghmore built a head of steam again, Moore, Conlon and Quinn tagged on points to increase the lead to 19 points.

Mairead Conwell had set up a goal for Saoirse Mc Cormack but the North Tyrone side had struggled with their kick out and were punished over the opening half. To their credit they did rally inspired with the introduction of veteran Anne Daly and when Conwell scored a penalty just shy of 44th minute Clann hopes were raised, Mc Cormack and Conwell found the net again but there was still a big gap to close and Louise Daly’s side would not be caught. Conlon sealing the final goal of the day late on as it ended Donaghmore St Patrick’s 6-17 Clann Na Gael 4-7.

The senior final looked set to be a non event as St Macartans led by six points at the break with Errigal enjoying plenty of ball but only hitting two points, yet a remarkable comeback seemed on the cards as Maria Canavan hit four points and Claire Canavan tagged on a brace midway through the second half. By that stage though there was still six points between the sides after Shauana Mc Girr and Cathy Maguire had scored Macs goals.

St Macs had taken the first half chances that came their way Chloe Mc Caffrey although well curtailed by Meabh Corrigan hit five points, Paula Donnelly , Maura Mc Menamin and Joline Donnelly with the other scores. The Errigal points came from Maria Canavan and Lycrecia Quinn. Maguire and player of the match Niamh Mc Girr opened the second half with points and Maguire crashed home a well worked goal on the 37th minute to widen the gap. Canavan did respond with a brace of Errigal points but when Mc Girr finished to the net after a great move it looked all over.

The second goal though seemed to ignite the Errigal challenge, they pushed Niamh Kelly up the park and they carved out several good chances, this was their best scoring spell with six points on the board yet it was all in vain as Macartans showed all their quality experience and managed the game to a close, substitute Colleen Mc Quaid and Paula Donnelly wrapping up the scoring with late points. Who said the Champions were done and not hungry ?, they turned in an excellent shift, the veterans working so well with the talented younger players, Ryan Mc Menamin was delighted with the win but now they face a stern test with Carrickcruppen next Sunday as they attempt to retain the Ulster club title.

Ten senior titles now for St Macs and of course three in a row. Errigal minus the injured Aine Canavan worked hard but found the going tough over the hour, there’s plenty of promise though in this young side.

St Macartans 2.13  Errigal Ciaran 0.10

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