Dowds the star as St Columba’s win U16 Erne Cup

Katie Dowds blasted the second-half goal to seal victory for St Columba’s in the Ulster Under-16 Erne Cup final.

St.Columba’s, Stranorlar 1-10

St.Louise’s, Belfast 1-4

At a storm-hit Garvaghy, St Columba’s - under the stewardship of Nicola Harris and Sean Boyce - led by six points (0-9 to 1-0) at half-time.

Player of the Match Dowds and Emily Boyce steered over three points in the opening half while Niamh Browne knocked over two and Abbie McGranaghan got in on the act,

St Louise’s pounced on a momentary lapse in concentration by St Columba’s to get a goal on the board, but the Stranorlar scholars were on top.

Against the gale-force wind in the second half, St Columba’s retained their lead in spite of stern pressure from St Louise’s.

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Sine Ryan and Dowds led the way from the engine room and the St Columba’s rearguard did well to snuff out the threat of a St Louise’s side that had scored six goals in their semi-final win.

The impressive kick-outs by goalkeeper Morgan Ramshaw played a vital part for St Columba’s in the second half, allowing her side to keep possession.

Dowds rattled the net in the second half and McGranaghan tacked on another point to take St Columba’s out of reach.

St Columba’s College: Morgan Ramshaw; Sinead Deasley, Erin Gallen, Aoife Crawford; Emma Neeson, Abigail Temple-Asokhu, Rebecca Campbell; Sine Ryan, Katie Dowds (1-3); Niamh Browne (0-2), Tea Foy, Emily Boyce (0-3); Ella McLaughlin, Abbie McGranaghan (0-2), Ciara Gallagher. Subs: Rhea Ahern, Leanne Lynch, Cora Burns, Hanna Rose Burke, Aisling Roarty, Aisling Mullin, Monica Muldoon, Caoilfhinn McCabe, Sarah Gallagher, Leah McGonagle, Alyssa Foy, Rosa Doherty, Sarah Gavigan.