Lavey stand between Dungloe and historic Ulster JFC title

Dungloe will enter unchartered waters this Sunday when they face Lavey from Derry, in the Ulster LGFA Junior Football Championship in Healy Park, in Omagh (throw-in, 12.30 pm).

It will be a first-ever provincial final for the Rosses-based club, at any level, and it’s a huge day in the club’s long and illustrious history.

“It's a special occasion for the club and there is great excitement in the club and the supporters have really got behind the girls,” says the Dungloe manager and Donegal legend Tony Boyle.

“We had big support for the first game against Coalisland, at home in Rosses Park, and they also travelled in big numbers to Cremartin for the semi-final against Tyholland.

“And we are expecting a big crowd to make the trip to Omagh, next Sunday for the final.

“Last year, the girls were going to the men’s game in Ulster and, this year, the boys are all going to the girl's games which is good to see.”

It took extra-time to separate Dungloe and Coalisland, in the quarter-final, in Rosses Park, with Dungloe running out 0-18 to 2-9 winners.

The full forward line of Tara Geoghegan, Ulitah Boyle and Patrice Boyle inflicted the most pain on the Tyrone champions.

Boyle explained: “Tara put us three up early in the second half but Coalisland had a good spell and took the lead. They looked like they had done enough until Katie Wallace kicked a super point to force the extra time.

“We played well again in the extra time and won by three. But it was a close shave.

“They played very well against Tyholland after conceding an early goal we took control of the game and led by five points at one stage and we were three up at half-time.

“We pulled away at the start of the second half and went eight up before they rallied and hit a goal and four points. But we held on for the win.”

Lavey, the Derry intermediate champions, provide the opposition for Dungloe at the weekend.

“We don’t know that much about them,” admitted Boyle. “We concentrate on ourselves and getting ourselves right for the game.

“All I do know is they won the Derry intermediate championship and they won the Derry junior championship last year. They are only two years playing football at senior level.

“But given the club’s tradition, they are bound to be good footballers and they have come through to the final in impressive fashion.”

Lavey were 2-7 to1-7 winners over Armagh champions, Clonmore, in the first round. And they were 3-18 to 1-8 winners over Carryduff, from Down in the semi-final.

Apart from Rhiana McCready, who has not featured in the two games to date on the way to the final, Boyle expects to have a full squad for Sunday’s date with history.

“Rhiana cracked a bone in her ankle after the county final. She got the cast off the other day but the game is going to come too soon.

“When you come to this time of the year you are going to have players nursing knocks. Thankfully none of the girls picked any injuries playing with the minors on Sunday. We expect to have everybody.”

Dungloe squad for Sunday’s final; Ellie McGarvey, Jessica Oglesby, Sara O’Boyle, Laura Doherty, Ava Caulfield, Aine Boner, Saskia Boyle, Cora Wallace, Clare Diver, Katie Wallace, Jasmine Gallagher, Aoife McGee, Ulitah Boyle, Patrice Boyle, Tara Geoghegan, Zaria Boyle, Breena Boyle, Olivia Bonner, Bridín Walsh, Justine Boyle, Holly Doherty, Ellie Ward, Eve Doherty, Sarah O’Donnell.