Super Naomh Columba ladies soar into Ulster Intermediate final

Naomh Columba ladies got through to a historic Ulster intermediate final with a five-point win away to Armagh champions Mullabrack.

Niamh Boyle was in great form from the dead ball, converting five frees for her total of six points, while Emma Cunningham, who got four goals in the Donegal Intermediate final, rattled the net in the second half.

Mullabrack got goals in either half, but they couldn’t keep up with Boyle and co on the points front, as Naomh Columba will face Truagh from Monaghan in the final.

Naomh Columba got off to a good start and went into a four-point lead with points from Niamh Boyle, two frees from Emma Cunningham and a score from Aoibhe Curran, but by the 12th minute it was down to one after Nicole O'Reilly intercepted a ball out of defence and Amy Gribben palmed to the net for Mullabrack.

But the Glen ladies hit back with further points from Niamh Boyle, Laoise McGinley and Kate Byrne. Nicole O’Reilly also got a free before half-time as Eugene Doherty’s side led by 0-7 to 1-1.

The second half got underway as the visitors got off to a good start with a Niamh Boyle free.

Mullabrack goalkeeper Katie Donnelly pulled off a double save from Emma Cunningham, before Cunningham got her revenge with a goal eight minutes into the second half.

Nicole O’Reilly got a point back for the home side.

The Páirc na nGael side got further points from Clare Byrne, Laoise McGinley and Niamh Boyle. Mullabrack picked up their second yellow card as Eimear Rice was sin-binned, but a second Mullabrack goal from Naoise Hughes took the deficit down to seven.

Laura Boyle picked up a yellow card as Mullabrack tried to get back into it with two more points from Amy Gribben and Nicole O Reilly as the final whistle went.

Mullabrack scorers: Amy Gribben 1-2, Nicole O’Reilly 0-3, Naoise Hughes 1-0.

Naomh Columba scorers: Emma Cunningham 1-2, Niamh Boyle 0-6,5f, Laoise McGinley 0-2, Kate Byrne 0-1, Aoibhe Curran 0-1, Clare Byrne 0-1.

Mullabrack: Katie Donnelly; Mia McLaughlin; Niamh Murphy; Annie Rice; Niamh Farrell; Erin Murphy; Mairead Rice; Sarah Brennan; Aine Gribbon; Naoise Hughes; Amy Gribben; Aine Rice; Aoife Farrell; Nicole O’Reilly; Amia Brennan.

Subs: Eimear Rice; Ciara Brennan; Kym Ward; Frances Boyce.

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

Subs: Cliona Cassidy; Roisin Doherty.

Referee: Brendan Quinn (Derry).