Tyrone Ladies U16s beaten by Cavan in Ulster Platinum Final

Tyrone 2-5  Cavan 3-11

CAVAN once again held the Indian sign over Tyrone in a Ladies Ulster Final as a powerful first half proved enough to secure a nine point victory in the Under 16 Grade 1 Platinum decider at Brewster Park Enniskillen on Sunday.

Inspired by the running of a quality half back line the Breffni girls led by eight points at the break as Tyrone struggled to break through a well drilled Cavan defence who hunted in packs and were physically stronger.

A tactical switch moving Drumragh’s Dana Coyle out the park helped lead to an improved performance from the Red Hands in the second period but the damage had been done.

Tyrone got off to a great start when Coyle burst through and combined with Therese Loughran before Katie Marley finished well to the net.

However Cavan responded when Maria Lynch got on the end of Emilija Andriuskaite’s long ball to strike a goal. Abbey Reilly then knocked over a point after Aimee Cunningham hit an effort on the run off the upright.

Aine Neilis levelled things but the remainder of the half belonged to the Breffni side. Andriuskaite and Holly Forde Peat each registered points before the constant running of Cunningham was rewarded when she slipped Katie McGahern in for a second goal.

Points from Aoife Rogers, Reilly and Brady followed with Loughran tagging on Tyrone’s second point in the closing stages of the half after she swooped on the rebound from Lauren O’Neill’s effort.

On the restart Andriuskaite put Cavan nine clear and that lead was pushed out to ten with the impressive Reilly hitting a brace sandwiched between Aine Nielis’ second point.

A wonderful solo goal from Tyrone substitute Hannah Meegan who carried the ball down the right was followed by a Neilis free after Collins was downed on the edge of the square.

This was Tyrone’s best spell. They were able to carve open the blue wall with Neilis going close from a free and a resultant 45 was eventually worked over the bar after excellent combination play, Loughran getting the score. Cavan opened the gap out to six again, Reilly lashing over the point of the day from the right, but Tyrone pressed yet again.

Katie Marley worked in a great ball but there was no one there to turn it home. Meegan hit an upright and several times Aine Mc Cullagh , Loughran, Collins and Meegan ran at the Cavan side albeit without reward.

A late goal from Brady ended Tyrone’s hopes of a comeback though, to their credit the Red Hands continued to commit players to attack.

There was nine between the sides on the scoreboard at the end but this was certainly not a fair reflection on Tyrone’s second half performance.

Scorers

Tyrone: Katie Marley (1-0), Hannah Meegan (1-0), Aine Neilis (0-3), Therese Loughran (0-2)

Cavan: Abbey Reilly (0-5), Doireann Brady (1-2), Maura Lynch (1-0), Katie McGahern (1-0), Emilija Andriuskaite (0-2), Aiofe Rogers (0-1), Holly Forde Peat (0-1)