Harsh red card thwarts Naomh Columba's Ulster final bid against Truagh

A very harsh red card picked by Laoise McGinley with 10 minutes left was the big turning point in the Ulster Ladies Intermediate final as Truagh from Monaghan overcame Naomh Columba in Killyclogher on Sunday.

The Naomh Columba bench were very unhappy with the red card, which seemed to be reported to the referee by the linesman, but footage of the incident suggested that nothing untoward occurred.

There was just three points between the sides at the time with Truagh leading by 3-9 to 2-9 and Naomh Columba were well in the game.

But after the sending off, Truagh pulled away with three late frees to just one point in reply from Naomh Columba.

The red card really ended the game as a contest. Overall, Truagh were just slightly the better team with three top class forwards in Morgan McKenna, Caoimhe Moran and player of the match Amy Murray. Between them, they accounted for all but one point of the Monaghan champions total.

Truagh were the better side in the opening 10 minutes as Naomh Columba were nervous and had a number of bad turnovers.

Morgan McKenna had the opening two points inside seven minutes before Emma Cunningham won a free for Niamh Boyle to open the Naomh Columba account.

Then from a breach Niamh Boyle levelled matters. Caoimhe Moran pushed Truagh ahead again but Laoise McGinley equalised and Niamh Boyle edged Naomh Columba ahead from another free on 21 minutes.

But disaster struck for Naomh Columba when a high ball was dropped by Clodagh Ellis and Amy Murray had an easy tap in goal.

Laura Boyle responded with a very good point for Naomh Columba but then Truagh had 1-2 without reply. Morgan McKenna pointed a free and Caoimhe Moran had one from play before an Amy Moran shot dropped into the net for a 2-5 to 0-5 lead.

Niamh Boyle responded with two good points, one from play and Emma Cunningham had a couple of goal chances. But it was Amy Moran who had the final score of the half to leave the Monaghan champions ahead by 2-6 to 0-7 at the break.

The second half, up to the sending off, was a really good contest. Morgan McKenna had the opening point from a free but Kate Byrne replied and then Emma Cunningham won a penalty after good work by one of Naomh Columba's best on the day, Laura Boyle. From the spot Cunningham fired home to cut the lead to two points.

Mia O'Reilly had a Truagh point but Niamh Boyle replied with a free. But then Morgan McKenna fired home a goal to stretch the Truagh lead to 3-8 to 1-9.

Naomh Columba responded with an effort for a point from Niamh Boyle which dropped short and Emma Cunningham availed of a slip by the Monaghan 'keeper to fire home her second goal.

Then came the red card decision which really turned the game in favour of Truagh with Naomh Columba unable to break down a resolute defence.

The Donegal girls can hold their heads high. They fought to the bitter end and who knows what might have happened but for that decision of the officials.

Naomh Columba scorers: Niamh Boyle 0-7,6f; Emma Cunningham 2-0, 1pen; Laura Boyle, Kate Byrne, Laoise McGinley 0-1 each.

Truagh scorers: Morgan McKenna 1-8,6f; Amy Murray 2-1; Caoimhe Moran 0-2; Mia O'Reilly 0-1.

Naomh Columba: Clodagh Ellis; Jazmine Byrne, Sara Curran, Tara Breslin; Laura Boyle, Louise Doherty, Leeza Cunningham; Kate Byrne, Alanna Boyle; Aoibhe Curran, Laoise McGinley, Claire Byrne; Emma Cunningham, Grace Gallagher, Niamh Boyle.

Sub: Ailbhe Doherty for C Byrne (50).

Truagh: Molly Flood; Joanne Coyle, Niamh Clerkin, Aoibhinn Caulfield; Cara Helferty, Grainne Slowey, Sara McKenna; Eve McKenna, Lauren Markey; Jenny Treanor, Morgan McKenna, Ella McMeel; Caoimhe Moran, Mia O'Reilly, Amy Murray.

Subs: Julie McKenna for J Coyle (34); Georgia Breslin for McMeel (40).

Referee: Eddie Cuthbert (Down)

FOOTNOTE: It was a lovely day for football in Killyclogher and the press were at a table just inside the pitch between the two dugouts. But two minutes before the start an LGFA official informed all that they had to go outside the fence. Not a good look, especially being relayed the info with the game about to start. They can do better.