St Enda’s In Search Of Consecutive Ulster Titles

Saturday 29.10.2011

Club

History beckons for Mna Naomh Eanna An Omaigh this Sunday but standing between the Ulster junior club champions of 2010 and the Ulster intermediate crown of 2011 are Lisnaskea.

The Fermanagh side go into the final at Clones hotly tipped to annex the Ulster championship, a raft of county players with big game experience and the scoring threat of the Littles could leave it a difficult day for St Enda’s.

A 2-17 to 2-8 win over Monaghan Harps followed by a big win over Gowna drove Lisnaskea to the decider and they will be confident against an Omagh side that have surprised many by their remarkable run again this year.

Winning the Tyrone intermediate championship and league double catapulted Vinny McCullagh’s side back to Ulster. Last year they claimed the Ulster junior honours and were unlucky to miss out on the all Ireland title. In this year’s Ulster series a quarter final win over Ardthrea was followed by a solid performance and win over Dromintee. That said the Tyrone champions have been wasteful at times in front of goals throughout their run in Ulster and there’s room for improvement says manager Mc Cullagh.

“We are through to the final but we need to play better if we are to beat “Skea”. We have created plenty of chances but on occasions have failed to take them. If that happens on Sunday we will be punished by the Fermanagh girls”

Omagh are focused on reaching the all Ireland series where they could potentially meet last year’s all Ireland junior club opponents Caltra Cuans at the semi-final stage. Incentive enough perhaps for St Enda’s but says the Omagh boss it’s a case of one game at a time this Sunday with Clones the venue.

“We have only looked at the next game and the next game happens to be the Ulster club final. We are well aware that Lisnaskea are a good team, experienced and talented but we have plenty of quality too all over the park. We have leaders and good footballers, we know we must step up to the plate, I know that and the players know it. Sunday will be a challenge but it’s one we will be up for “

Omagh go into the final as underdogs and also have selection issues once again with injury worries for McCullagh and his assistant Jordan Quinn to contend with.

“Last year we had a couple of problems in the latter stages of the championship. It’s the opposite this year and we have those problems now. We just have to take a look at a couple of players ahead of our trip to Clones. I have to admit we are concerned with the players who are doubts”

Veteran forward Michaela O’Neill is once again expected to lead the attack, Terri McCullagh and Emma Collins have worked hard while captain Emma Nugent, Charmaine Gormley and county player Christiane Hunter have impressed in a solid defence. The players are thrilled to be in another provincial decider but says Mc Cullagh that’s only half the story.

“Yes it’s great to be in the final, the buzz and excitement is great but we are not going to Clones for the day out. Omagh are out to claim the title. We are not going to make up the numbers, there’s work to be done and a journey to continue.”

ST ENDAS LADIES 2011

Emma Nugent, Nicola McCrossan, Kerry O’Neill, Christiane Hunter, Clodagh Mullin

Orla Kelly, Danielle Brown, Jennifer Scott, Grainne McGale, Colleen McCullagh

Terri McCullagh, Kelly O Sullivan, Rita Conlin, Dervla O’Kane, Hayley Ballard

Shannon Tracey, Emma Collins, Louise Moynagh, Cara McCrossan,

Charmaine Gormley, Caoimhe Mc Govern, Colleen McCullagh, Michaela O’Neill

Ann Cunningham, Caolan McCullagh