High ‘Fives’ for Aghyaran Ladies in Div 2 Championship Final

LADIES DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Aghyaran 5-5  Moy 1-14

SENIOR football for 2026 is Aghyaran’s reward after a brilliant Intermediate Ladies Final at Killyclogher on Sunday saw them snatch victory thanks to a series of great goals.

The St Davog’s hit the net on five occasions in what was a close and intense clash throughout.

There was no doubting Moy’s disappointment as their bid to gain at least a draw fell just short at the final whistle.

Goals in the opening period from Tara McHugh and Sasha Byrne gave Aghyaran the ideal start in perfect conditions at Ballinamullin.

The St Davog’s hit the net twice in that opened half to give themselves a healthy interval advantage despite playing against the wind.

But this was an evenly contested tie from the outset when Emma Conroy raced through to finish off a fine Moy movement to give them the ideal start. They sought to build on that boost, but it was the north Tyrone side who responded in strong fashion.

Probing runs from midfield from Aoibhinn McHugh gave Aghyaran the edge.

She was ably assisted by the efforts of Alana Carlin, team captain, Niamh Gormley and Aoife Byrne. That work created space for the likes of Tara McHugh and Emma McCroary to utilise.

Emma McCroary equalised for Aghyaran soon after and the goal provided them with an ideal platform. It came in the fourth minute when Tara McHugh won possession, turned and shot to the net to give her team a 1-1 to 0-1 lead.

Moy, though, looked threatening when in attack. Lucy McAlary, Caoimhe Magee and Emer Currie worked some good passing movements. Points courtesy of Emma Conroy and Emer Currie left them just the minimum behind at the end of the first quarter.

But Aghyaran struck for a second goal when Sasha Byrne hit the net after a great run through from Aiobhinn McHugh. They made it 2-2 to 0-4 soon after and retained the lead, even though Moy remained a major threat thanks to scores from Emma Conroy.

The issue, then, was still very much in the balance at half-time when Aghyaran led by 2-3 to 0-5. Moy, though, emerged with intent on the resumption.

They were soon in control and getting the scores required to bring them right back into contention. A blistering spell saw a Caoimhe Magee goal after taking a pass from Emma Conroy, before points courtesy of Emma Conroy, Emer Curry and Lucy McAlary brought them level at 1-9 to 2-3.

Only a great save from Niamh McBride after an Emer O’Callaghan shot prevented Moy from going ahead. It also inspired the St Davog’s and two goals in quick succession from Sasha Byrne made it 4-3 to 1-9 in their favour.

Now things were really become tense. Moy’s Patricia O’Neill, Lucy McAlary and Emer Currie combined with Emma Conroy to boost their challenge.

But a goal from Maria McHugh gave Aghyaran the edge as a late point from Sasha Byrne got them claim the win with four to spare at the finish.

Scorers

Aghyaran: Sasha Byrne 3-1, Tara McHugh 1-2, Maria McHugh 1-0, Emma McCroary 0-2 1f.

Moy: Emma Conroy 0-8 4f, Emer Currie 0-2, Caoimhe Magee 1-0, Lucy McAlary 0-2, Lucy Conroy 0-2, Eimear O’Callaghan 0-1.

Teams

Aghyaran: Niamh McBride, Caola Caterson, Ciara McMenamin, Laura Lee Penrose, Rachel Foy, Alan Carlin, Niamh Gormley, Kate Byrne, Aiobhinn McHugh, Cara Byrne, Aoife Byrne, Emma McCroary, Tara McHugh, Roisin Lynch, Sasha Byrne. Sub: Niamh McHugh for R Lynch (25).

Moy: Ciara O’Hanlon, Emma Holmes, Ellanna McElroy, Grace Daly, Lucy Conroy, Patricia O’Neill, Aisling Magee, Lucy MvAlary, Caoimhe Magee, Emma Conroy, Emer Currie, Amy Holmes, Eimear O’Callaghan, Colleen McCance, Lottie Mackin. Subs: Catherine O’Hanlon for Lottie Mackin (18), Jill Sheridan for E O’Callaghan (47), Aoife O’Neill for A Holmes (54).

Referee: Cathal McCrory (Greencastle)