Sperrin Og All Ireland Champions!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 20.11.2011

Sperrin Og have managed to emulate the success of Greencastle St Patrick’s after lifting the All Ireland Junior title following a 2-09 to 1-10 victory over Aherlow of Tipperary. The Tyrone and Ulster champions had to come from behind to secure their history making win after finding themselves a point down at the break. They showed tremendous spirit and heart to open up a six point gap as the game entered the closing minutes following a third quarter burst that yielded a goal and two points from full forward Kim Mc Cullagh. Aherlow did make it a very nervous last few minutes for the Tyrone girls but in spite of Edel Hanley’s best efforts the title headed north amid scenes of great celebration from the large contingent of supporters who had travelled to Dublin for the day.

It is all over and Sperrin Og are Tyrone, Ulster and All Ireland champions following this two point victory over Aherlow at Peregrine’s in Dublin today, a fantastic achievement for the girls and their management team. Hearty congratulations from all at teamtalkmag.com on this marvellous achievement. Final score Sperrin Og 2-09, Aherlow 1-10.

Another free and another point for Hanley as the gap is now two points with additional time almost up as the clock shows thirty four minutes played.

It is getting rather nervy for the Greencastle girls as Hanley lands another free and the gap is down to three points. This is a real test of character for the Sperrin Og girls.

Another free from Hanley and there are four points between them as we enter additional time.

Edel Hanley, a one woman scoring machine for Aherlow knocks over another free and the gap is now five points with two minutes plus additional time left on the clock. Come on Sperrin Og, let’s keep it tight at the back.

Five minutes plus injury time left on the clock, can the Tyrone girls make it a glorious third title this year and emulate the achievements of their men’s team from just over four years ago? A break in the game with an Aherlow player down injured at the moment.

It is now 2-9 to 1-06 for Sperrin Og as Kim Mc Cullagh converts a close in free to edge her side closer to an All Ireland Club title. we are down to the last eight minutes of the game.

We are now into the last ten minutes of the game and the Sperrin Og girls are playing well and working hard. Scores are hard to come by for both teams but good defensive play by the Greencastle based team is making a vital difference.

Fifteen minutes into the second half and Bronagh Warnock comes on for Amy Mc Cullagh in the full forward line while Aherlow replace their keeper who picked up that knock in the first half clash with Anita Mc Dermott .

A real purple patch for Sperrin Og as they hit 1-01 from Kim Mc Cullagh to open up a five point gap. We said they needed a good start to the second half and that is exactly what they have done. 2-08 to 1-06.

Sperrin Og move a point ahead following a fantastic score from play by Briege Beggs after great play from Shauneen Ferrity. 1-07 to 1-06

A positional switch for Sperrin Og sees Michaela Fox moved into the forward line and Michaela Mc Dermott move back into the defence. We are ten minutes into the second half and it is all to play for.

It is a first change of the day for Sperrin Og as Anita Mc Dermott is replaced by her sister Michaela. Sperrin Og are now level 1-06 apiece following a fine score from Amy Mc Cullagh.

Second half is under way and Sperrin Og have just thirty minutes of intense activity to face as they attempt to win an All Ireland title. A good start is important but the Tyrone girls are wide of the mark with a free in the opening minute.

The half time whistle sounds and the Tyrone girls find themselves a point behind but will feel they are more than capable of beating this side. A big ten minutes for the Sperrin Og management team as they try to get their message across about how important the next thirty minutes are.

Shauneen Ferrity gets on the scoreboard with a fine point from play and the gap is now just a single point. Can they tie it up before the break?

The Tyrone girls come close to taking the lead again with a good shot from Shauneen Ferrity but it is deflected wide for a 45 metre kick. Half time cannot be very far away but there will be several minutes of additional time following those two lengthy stoppages.

Sperrin Og need to be very disciplined in their defensive work and keep the number of frees conceded to the bare minimum.

The Tipperary girls move 1-05 to 1-04 ahead with a score from Aine Staunton after she won a throw up ball. Aherlow seem to be warming to the task. they are now two ahead after converting another free. The scoreline is now 1-06 to 1-04 in their favour.

The sides are now level as Edel Hanley scores for her side. That is a personal tally so far of 1-04 for the Aherlow forward.

Twenty minutes gone and another break in play as the Aherlow goalkeeper receives treatment for an injury. Referee Sean Duane of Kildare not winning too many fans in Tyrone.

Edel Hanley responds with a free for Aherlow to leave the score 1-04 to 0-03 with almost fifteen minutes of the first half played but back they come again and they reduce the gap to a single point with a goal. It is now 1-04 to 1-03 for the Tyrone girls. So far Edel Hanley is the only scorer for the Tipperary outfit.

Niamh O’Neill proves her worth once again with a fabulous goal from an unstoppable shot, thirteen minutes played and Sperrin Og lead 1-04 to 0-02.

Points from Shauneen Ferrity and Kim Mc Cullagh put the Tyrone girls two ahead 0-04 to 0-02. Play is now held up after a heavy challenge on Eimear Teague.

Six minutes in and it is all square 0-02 a piece with Sperrin Og’s two scores coming from Niamh O’Neill from play and a Kim Mc Cullagh free as both teams just settling to the task.

The game is under way.

The Tyrone and Ulster champions show one change from the starting team that defeated Claregalway in the semi final. Anita Mc Dermott replaces her sister Louise in the full forward line. The team lines out as follows: Peggy Mc Cullagh, Cathy Teague, Margaret Gallagher, Aisling Fox, Michaela Fox, Eimear Teague, Laura Heagney, Shauneen Ferrity, Laura Lee Mc Cullagh, Niamh O’Neill, Briege Beggs, Nichola Glass, Amy Mc Cullagh, Kim Mc Cullagh, Anita Mc Dermott.

Well the warm ups are complete and the last few instructions are being issued as Sperrin Og get ready for the biggest sixty minutes they have faced in their footballing lives. We will bring you all the action and all the scores live here on www.teamtalkmag.com as the Greencastle girls go in search of an All Ireland title and the glory that will come with it