Clann Eireann become first Armagh winners of Ulster Club Ladies Football title
- Published
Niamh Henderson captained Clann Eireann to their historic success over Bredagh
Clann Éireann became the first Armagh side to lift the Ulster Ladies Senior Club Football title with a 1-10 to 0-8 win over Bredagh at Healy Park.
Niamh Coleman's goal eight minutes from time sealed the Lurgan club's title in the first final.
It was a second provincial final defeat in three years for the Down side.
Clann Eireann's maiden title earns them an All-Ireland semi-final date with Waterford and Munster champions Ballymacarby at home in early December.
Early nerves were evident in this novel pairing with both sides kicking a number of wides in the opening exchanges.
It took 11 minutes for the first scores to be registered, the first coming from the boot of Eva Hicks to edge Bredagh ahead before Laoise Duffy pointed from the very next play to double the advantage.
Clann Éireann failed to trouble the scoreboard until the 20th minute when Dearbhla Coleman's powerful effort sailed over the crossbar.
Hicks replied for the Down champions to extend the lead to, two before Meabh McCambridge fisted over the top and Niamh Murray landed an effort to leave the sides deadlocked at three points apiece at the break.
Clann Éireann opened the second half the brighter with four scores without reply after Niamh Murray's fourth of the day had edged them in front for the first time in the contest.
But two points from Eilish Ward and scores from Laoise Duffy and Aoibhean McCarvill saw the Down girls hit four in a row of their own and tie the sides at 0-8 to 0-8 with 10 minutes left.
The decisive score of the game arrived with six minutes left as the Coleman sisters combined, with Dearbhla's eye of the needle pass finding the run of Niamh who smashed the ball into the top corner of the net.
That lead was stretched to three when Clann Éireann won the next kick-out and Niamh Henderson split the posts, the icing was firmly added to the cake in injury-time when Aoibhin Donohoe sent over a free.
When the runners and riders for the Ulster ladies title were touted even six weeks ago, no one was talking about Clann Éireann but, they now have their maiden title and an All-Ireland semi-final to look forward to.