Omagh Under-14s edge battle of ‘Loretos’ in Ulster Final

Loreto GS, Omagh 4-12   Loreto College, Cavan 3-11

LORETO, Omagh emerged victorious in a nail-biting Ulster Schools U14 ‘A’  Final against Loreto, Cavan, securing a dramatic win in the dying moments of an intense match played in Tempo.

The triumph marked the culmination of an unbeaten campaign, with Loreto, Omagh showcasing their dominance throughout the competition. On their path to the final, they overcame Dean Maguirc College, Our Lady’s Castleblayney, and Loreto, Cavan in the group stages before delivering a commanding performance against St Mary’s Magherafelt in the semi-final to earn their place in the decider.

The final featured a series of strong individual performances. Seanna Mae O’Neill contributed an impressive 3-8, while Emma Owens Duddy made her mark by adding a crucial second-half goal. Maebh Harley (0-3) and her sister Aislinn (0-1) also made valuable scoring contributions.

Despite being tightly man-marked by Cavan’s No. 7, Maebh Harley, returning from injury, showed great determination and creativity in the forward line, consistently finding space to keep Omagh’s attack flowing.

Midfield dynamo Maebh Donnelly was relentless in her running all day, covering immense ground and driving Loreto Omagh’s play forward. Her midfield partner, Aoife Brown, executed a brilliant man-marking role in the second half, keeping Cavan’s key midfielder quiet. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Anna Harper played a pivotal role, not just with her precision kick-outs but also with several crucial saves..

Up front, Donnelly’s twin sister, Muireann, showcased exceptional composure, excellent tracking back, controlling the forward line with sharp movement and precise decision-making.

Omagh’s defensive unit stood firm, setting the tone early in the first half with an incredible passage of play where the defenders blocked six consecutive shots, denying Cavan’s attack and proving their resilience. This remarkable sequence energised the team and sent a clear message that Omagh’s defence would not be easily breached.

Captain Lucy Meenan led by example, anchoring a rock-solid backline. Ava Muldoon and Aoibh Tracey were outstanding in securing possession, winning numerous kick-outs that allowed Omagh to transition effectively between defence and attack. Meanwhile, Roise O’Neill and Caoimhe McNamee held their corners brilliantly, ensuring Cavan struggled to find gaps in their attack.

At full-back, Neamh Gormley provided a commanding presence, shutting down key threats and maintaining composure under pressure. Criobhe McCullagh, with a solid and hard working 45 minutes, was replaced by her club mate Roise O’Neill, and both contributed effectively to Omagh’s link play throughout the match.

Meanwhile, Aislinn Harley worked tirelessly, tracking back relentlessly to support the defence, disrupting Cavan’s attacking plays and adding an extra layer of resilience to Omagh’s structure.

With just ten minutes remaining, Omagh held a four-point lead, only for the game to take a dramatic turn when both teams received yellow cards, reducing them to 14 players. The tension escalated when Omagh suffered another yellow card five minutes from time, leading to a Cavan penalty, which was converted. A further point followed, bringing the teams level just as the clock was nearing full-time.

As the match teetered on the edge, Maebh Donnelly rose to the occasion, winning a crucial kick-out before surging into Omagh’s scoring zone, where Roise O’Neill’s efforts won Omagh a free. This was coolly slotted over by Seanna Mae O’Neill under immense pressure to regain the lead.

Not content with sealing the win through a free, Seanna Mae O’Neill made one final statement, intercepting Cavan’s kick-out and driving home a goal before the final whistle blew, cementing Omagh’s triumph in spectacular fashion.

Captain Lucy Meenan reflected on the win, saying: “I’m so proud of every single player on this team. We’ve worked hard all year, and to come through such a tough final and finish unbeaten is just incredible. Everyone gave it their all, and the support from our coaches, families, and clubs made a huge difference. This is a day we’ll never forget.”

Manager Joanne McNabb praised the team’s resilience and unity: “This group of girls has shown incredible heart, discipline, and teamwork from day one. They’ve trained hard, supported each other, and played with real pride in the jersey. Today’s win is a reflection of their commitment and character. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

A special word of thanks goes to the twelve local clubs represented on the panel, for their continued support and development of these talented players. Their dedication to nurturing young athletes has been instrumental in Loreto Omagh’s success. Loreto, Omagh are very grateful to the Omagh St Enda’s club for the use of their facilities at St Pat’s Park for training all year.

It was a final that had everything; skill, drama, and late heroics, ensuring Loreto Omagh will celebrate their well-earned Ulster title for some time to come.

Loreto Omagh Squad & Scorers: Anna Harper, Roise O’Neill, Neamh Gormley, Caoimhe McNamee, Ava Muldoon, Lucy Meenan, Aoibh Tracey, Maebh Donnelly, Aoife Brown, Croibhe McCullagh, Muireann Donnelly, Aislinn Harley (0-1), Emma Owens Duddy (1-0), Seanna Mae O’Neill (3-8), Maebh Harley (0-3), Cara Gormley, Caitlin McQuaid, Elsie O’Brien, Lauren Murray, Orlagh Loughran, Tily Connelly, Catherine Lowry, Laoise McCarroll, Nieve Daly, Orlaith Kelly, Eireann O’Connor, Niamh McNulty, Clidna McNamee, Grace Garry, Roise O’Neill, Ellie Donohoe. Coaches: Mrs McNabb and Mrs O’Neill