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Ulster Schools Semi-Final
Thursday 19.01.2017
St Ciaran’s College Ballygawley 5-7
Loreto Cavan 2-9
A first half hat trick of goals from Chloe McCaffrey set St Ciaran’s on their way to the Ulster Colleges final as they secured a 5-7 to 2-9 win over a fancied Loreto Cavan at Templeport. The Ballygawley side got off to a flyer with McCaffrey and Chloe Collins finding the net in an opening three minute salvo as they built up a head of steam early on. Maria Canavan landed a massive point and McCaffrey slammed home a third goal before tagging on a point to leave the highly rated Cavan college trailing 3-2 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Throughout the half St Ciaran’s looked dangerous on the attack while at the back Cliondha Donaghey, Meabh Corrigan and Shannon Stevenson were outstanding. McCaffrey completed her hat trick on seventeen minutes, finishing well despite the attention of two defenders. She added a free with Michaela Moore pointing too after combining well with Canavan to open the gap to thirteen points.
Loreto refused to give before being handed a real lifeline with five minutes of the half remaining which saw Anne Reilly slot home a penalty after a fine goal line clearance by St Ciaran’s. Within a minute though Maria Canavan finished a sweeping move to the Cavan net following good work from Aishling McAnespie. Niamh Kernaghan was on hand for a late Cavan goal.
The third quarter provided just two scores as Loreto punished St Ciaran’s who wasted several attacks. Reilly and Nicola Fitzpatrick landed points to close the gap as they attempted to take the game to the Tyrone side.
Their challenge however was to be short lived as points from Shauna Stevenson and McCaffrey steadied the ship for St Ciarans. They then proceeded to raise the tempo again with Corrigan, Stevenson and Tara Meabh O’Hagan pulling the strings. Loreto did hit the crossbar and Ballygawley goalkeeper Darcy Byrne was forced to earn her stripes as she turned a stinging effort on to the bar.
The final ten minutes were dominated by St Ciaran’s Canavan wrapping up her side’s account as she spun away and latched on the game’s final point.
An all Tyrone Ulster final is still on the cards with Loreto Omagh facing Castleblaney next week
Chloe McCaffrey 3-3, Maria Canavan 1-2, Chloe Collins 1-0, Michaela Moore 0-1, Shauna Stevenson 0-1
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