Finn Valley/Inishowen rugby U14s chasing Leona Harper Cup glory

The Finn Valley/Inishowen Under-14 girls are vying for the Leona Harper Cup when they line out at Kingspan Stadium on Sunday.

The Donegal side have a noon showdown with Virgina in the final at the 18,000 capacity stadium in Belfast, the home of Ulster rugby.

The Cup was named in honour of Leona Harper, a 14-year-old from Letterkenny - a player for Letterkenny Rugby Club who lost her life in the Creeslough explosion in October, 2022.

“It would be nice if a Donegal team could be the first ever team to win this as it’s name after Leona, who sadly lost her wee life in Creeslough,” the Finn Valley/Inishowen head coach Tom McNulty says.

In their semi-final, Finn Valley/Inishowen saw off Ballymoney 10-5 at Moss Road following a storming performance.

Jessica Long scored two tries to seal a place in the final for the team captained by Ruby McGee.

“The girls have worked very hard over the last three seasons,” McNulty says. “It will be a tough game, but we have beaten Virginia before. 

“We have gathered ourselves together over the seasons. Last year, we were very successful when we won the Ulster Plate competition. We planned this year to go one better, but we’ve actually done two better in getting to the Cup final.”

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Finn Valley/Inishowen are top of the U14 Girls League West, a point ahead of Virgina, their opponents in Sunday’s final.

The Donegal girls have won five from five in the League. In January, they defeated Virginia 17-12. Their results list includes big wins over City of Armagh/Dungannon and Omagh. They also earned a derby victory over Letterkenny and a tough win over Enniskillen.

McNulty hailed the support of the local schools and parents. 

“The girls are flying high,” he says. “We are one point away from winning the League and we haven’t lost a game yet this season.

“We know Virginia will be tough, they have four Ulster players on their squad, but the girls here are in good form.

“As a team, they never cease to amaze me. I was coaching the boys team when they asked me if I would take the girls. I feel that the team would climb a wall for me. They are great wee sports people and are successful at several sports.”

Finn Valley/Inishowen squad: Lily Mae Patterson, Maya Lafferty, Ailisha McKinley, Adele McKinley, Katie Moore, Jessica Lafferty, Rebecca Gallen, Lily Parke, Ruby McGee, Mary Kate McCormick, Yvonne Gurley, Jessica Long, Sarah McNally, Tori Cantwell, Emie McNulty, Lucy McConnell, Caitlin Doherty, Eibhea McEleney, Tia Doherty. Head Coach - Tom McNulty; Assistant Coach - Tara McConalogue.