Dungloe’s Ulster dream ends as Carryduff claim back-to-back titles

Dungloe's bid for a first Ulster title ended in bitter disappointment when losing out to two in-a-row chasing Carryduff in Sunday’s Ulster Ladies Minor Championship final in Páirc Naomh Eoghain in Newtownstewart. 

The three in-a-row Donegal minor champions matched their Mourne County opponents in an evenly contested first half.  

And thanks to a seventh-minute Emma Wallace goal and points from Mia O’Donnell and Elisha Boyle they trailed by two points, 1-4 to 1-6 at half-time. 

The goal saw Dungloe off to a lightning start as they led 1-1 to 0-1 with Cara Donnelly posting the Carryduff point. 

Wallace was the first to react in a crowded goalmouth when an O'Donnell free dropped short to fire to the back of the Carryduff net.  

After Dungloe's early surge, Carryduff came more into the game. And with Cara Donnelly and Isa McCarron causing problems for the Dungloe rearguard the Down champions enjoyed a good spell. 

Boosted by a sixteen-minute penalty they hit the front. 

Wing back Anna McArdle sent Aine Walsh in the Dungloe goals the wrong way from the spot kick after Cara Donnelly had been fouled.  

And thanks to further points from Donnelly and two converted frees from Ellie Sergeant, Carryduff led 1-6 to 1-4 at the half-time break as Mia O’Donnell and Elisha Boyle hit the late points in the half for Dungloe.  

While they had been warning signs in the opening half, Dungloe still were very much in the game at the changeover. 

But it all unraveled two minutes into the new half when Donnelly struck for Carryduff’s second goal. 

Dungloe now found themselves five points down and playing into a stiffening breeze and chasing the game. 

And with Carryduff relentless in the attack, they quickly added two more points. All of a sudden Dungloe were down by seven points as they trailed 1-4 to 2-8. 

Dungloe attacks were limited in the second period and the few they had were dealt with by a no-nonsense Carryduff defence.  

And though Carryduff lost their two best players in Isa McCarron and Cara Donnelly to the sin-bin in the second half, the Donegal champions made no headway. 

They failed to score in the second period as Ellie Sergeant stuck a final dagger two minutes from time with Caryduff’s second goal. 

Rhianna McCready and Mia O’Donnell had chances to score late consolation points from close frees. But opted instead to go short in pursuit of goals but they found no favour from the Carryduff defence.  

Carryduff scorers: Cara Donnelly 1-4; Ellie Sergeant 1-3, 3fs; Anna McArdle 1-0, 1 pen; Meabh Napier 0-1,1f; Isa McCarron and Niamh Napier 0-1 each.  
Dungloe scorers: Mia O'Donnell 0-3, 3fs, Emma Wallace 1-0; Elisha Boyle 0-1.  

Carryduff: Caoimhe Lavery; Aisling Wojcieszak, Roisin McKenna, Eimear McReynolds; Maria McLornan, Niamh Napier, Anna McArdle; Meabh Napier, Sophie Kerr; Grace Loughran, Isa McCarron, Ciara McLornan; Eimear Napier, Cara Donnelly, Ellie Sergeant. Subs: Hannah Cassin for G Loughran (29).  

Dungloe: Aine Walsh; Sholah Ward, Ellie Ward, Isabella Sweeney; Claire Diver, Nichole Bonner Gillespie, Alannah O’Donnell; Ulitah Boyle, Ava Caulfield; Elisha Boyle, Emma Wallace, Rhianna McCready; Mia O'Donnell, Tomi Boyle, Ellie McGarvey. Subs: Rachel Wallace for I Sweeney (h/t); Amy Timoney for S Ward (51); Millie Hanlon for E McGarvey. 

Referee: Phil Conway (Armagh)