Sigersons Ladies Late Late Win!

Thursday 23.08.2012

Club

Strabane Sigersons 1-7
Loughmacrory St Teresa’s 0-8

Sigersons Senior Ladies created history by clinching the Tyrone Junior “A” Championship title over Loughmacrory in dramatic fashion on Thursday night past in Greencastle.

It took a late goal from the fist of Lorraine Conwell to claim the historic first ever Championship win for the Sigersons Ladies and it ensured that the Brenda Logue Memorial Cup would make its way to Páirc Mhic Sioghair and it’s now into the Ulster series for the Strabane girls in a few weeks time.

Strabane were by far the better side in the first half and went in at the interval leading by double scores 0-6 to 0-3 with Ciara McGill firing over three points two of them from open play and one from a free kick with Tori McLaughlin, Lorraine Conwell and Leona Houston getting a point apiece. Loughmacrory had points from Lisa McAleer who sent over a brace one from play and the other from a free kick whilst Kerrie Grimes had hit the opening score for them.

The first half was played at a fast pace with both sides contributing to a fine game of football which was played in a very sporting manner. Both sets of attackers created plenty of chances in a lively first half but equally so both defennces were steadfast. At midfield the Strabane pairing of Tori McLaughlin and Michella Moss battled strongly with Loughmacrory duo Claire Gallagher and Colleen Donaghy.

The second half started brightly for Sigersons with Leona Houston seeing her goal bound effort cleared off the Loughmacrory goal line but from here on in the Loughmacrory girls assumed control of the game. Karen Kelly opened their second half account with a point from play and Eimear Slane quickly followed up with a further point to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum. It then took a terrific save from Loughmacrory keeper Kellie Boyle to deny Sigersons Leona Houston another goal chance.

With less than five minutes remaining in the contest a Lisa McAleer point from a free kick drew the side’s level and the same player gave Loughmacrory their first lead in the game when just a minute later she sent over a fine point from play that looked like being the winning score but the drama and excitement didn’t end just there!

Strabane refused to lie down and they saw yet another goal bound effort from Leona Houston hit the base of the post before they got the equalising score with their first point of the second half and that came in added time from the boot of the hard working Lorraine Conwell to draw the tie level and it was all to play for in the few short minutes remaining.

With time running out Leona Houston was yet again denied a goal opportunity following another fantastic save from the outstanding Kellie Boyle but when Strabane won a late free kick it was the impressive and experienced head of Ciara McGill who fired the ball into the edge of the Loughmacrory square and up popped Lorraine Conwell to fist the ball to the roof of the net much to her sides delight and to the shock of the Loughmacrory players. Bronagh Donaghy added a late score for Loughmacrory but when Tracey Brennan blew her whistle for full time it sparked a wave of celebrations amongst the Strabane players, management team and delighted supporters.

Both sets of players worked diligently over the course of the hour and a bit played and it would be wrong to individualise players but for Strabane Lorraine Conwell with the equalising score and then popping up with that late winning goal deserves a special mention as does the Loughmacrory goalkeeper Kellie Boyle who made save after save from the hard working Leona Houston to deny the Sigersons corner forward at least a hat trick of goals.

Following the game, Tyrone Ladies Chairperson Martin Conway himself a Strabane Sigersons club person alongside Kevin Logue brother of the late Brenda Logue presented Sigersons team captain Laura Coyle with the Junior “A” Championship Cup. Martin congratulated both sides on a great game of football and whilst delighted for the Strabane girls he commiserated with the Loughmacrory girls who looked like they had done enough in the second half to win the contest but for the late Strabane revival.

These sides could yet again meet in the battle for the Junior League title but prior to that both have tricky semi-final clashes with Aghyaran and Mna na Deirge to get over. For now Sigersons will enjoy their finest ever achievement to date which is also a tribute to all those who have played with the Ladies since the club was first formed back in 1998.

Sigersons Scorers:
Ciara McGill 0.03 (1 FK)
Tori McLaughlin 0.01
Sheree Connelly 0.01
Leona Houston 0.01
Lorraine Conwell 1.01

Loughmacrory Scorers:
Kerri Grimes 0.01
Lisa McAleer 0.05 (2 FK)
Karen Kelly 0.01
Eimear Slane 0.01

Sigersons Team:
1 Meghan Bonner, 2 Emer McLaughlin, 3 Morgan McGlynn, 4 Melissa Roberts, 5 Aine O’Connor, 6 Rachel Brennan, 7 Laura Coyle (Capt), 8 Tori McLaughlin, 9 Michella Moss, 10 Lorraine Conwell, 11 Ciara McGill, 12 Zara OHagan, 13 Sheree Connelly, 14 Hollie Friel, 15 Leona Houston, Subs 17 Laura Farell, 18 Bronagh NiEoghain, 19 Leoni McNaulty, 20 Karen Feeney, 21 Leanne Clarke, 22 Louise McElroy, 23 Leoni Cooke, 24 Donna Devine, 25 Andrea McCauley Subs Used:18 Bronagh NiEoghain for 12 Zara OHagan

Loughmacrory Team:
1 Kellie Boyle, 2 Laura O’Kane, 3 Edel Donaghy, 4 Bronagh Grimes, 5 Bronagh Donaghy, 6 Oonagh Gallagher, 7 Naoimh McCullagh, 8 Claire Gallagher, 9 Colleen Donaghy, 10 Eimear Slane, 11 Kerri Grimes, 12 Orla Toner (capt), 16 Colleen Grimes, 14 Lisa McAleer, 15 Karen Kelly. Subs: 13 Bronagh Gallagher, 17 Emily Donaghy, 18 Aoibheann OKane, 19 Tamaira OBrien, 20 Una Toner, 21 Mairead Kelly, 22 Mairead McDermott, 23 Gemma OBrien, 24 Ena Rafferty, 25 Clodagh Donaghy Subs Used: 13 Bronagh Gallagher for 16 Colleen Grimes, 17 Emily Donaghy for 4 Bronagh Grimes, 18 Aoibheann OKane for 11 Kerri Grimes, 11 Kerri Grimes for 12 Orla Toner