Derry retain Ulster Title

In the searing heat of Páirc Esler in Newry, in front of a vocal home support, Derry retained their Ulster title after a titanic struggle with old foes, Down, on Sunday. Played before the Down v Monaghan Ulster Football Championship match, this was the second year in succession Derry had to play before a huge Down crowd, but despite falling behind ten minutes ten minutes from the end and with momentum swinging Down’s way, the Oak Leaf girls dug deep to draw level, and in the fourth minute of added time Katie McAuley coolly slotted over a free from an acute angle to earn Derry a win by the narrowest of margins.

A typical derby game between the outstanding teams in the province in recent years, it was ferociously contested throughout with little room for fancy camogie, as evidenced by the low scoring. Down were keen to avenge their two defeats in championship last year, while Derry had been stung by Down’s late surge in the National League match earlier this season. Derry struggled badly in the first twenty minutes and were fortunate to find themselves only one point in arrears. Down were dominant in their half-back and midfield, and only for some outstanding defending from captain, Claire O’Kane, Kate Laverty and Ceara Cushnahan, Derry would have been out of contention by half-time. In the last ten minutes of the half, however, Derry began to win more possession and the ensuing pressure yielded four points in a row, leaving the score 0-4 to 0-1 in their favour.

Despite conceding a point immediately after the restart, Derry then went seven points to two in front, and had several chances to put the game beyond Down’s reach. It was Down’s turn to hang in there and they gradually chipped away at Derry’s advantage, eventually equalising with a Sarah Louise Carr goal from close range. Suddenly Down were in the driving seat again, and a pointed free after a rash pull by Jane Carey on Mairin McAleenan saw the Mourne girls retake the lead with less than ten minutes remaining. This was to prove to be Down’s last score, however, and in a tense finish, Aisling Diamond, who put in a storming performance in the second half, fielded a high ball and slotted over to equalise. Both teams had further chances, with Derry particularly grateful to Claire O’Kane in goals who twice dived bravely to pull off pointblank saves. In the final minute, Ceara Cushnahan, who had moved up to the forwards, was fouled and Katie McAuley duly converted the free. Down had one more attack which was thwarted, and much to the relief of the Derry contingent, the final whistle saw Derry emerge champions for the second year running with a final scoreline of Derry 0-10 v Down 1-6.

Both teams emerged with credit from this tough and uncompromising game, and both are likely to figure strongly in the ultimate shake-down of the All-Ireland Junior Championship later in the summer. This game will be of particular benefit to Derry, having won their last few matches without extending themselves. A lot of improvement will be needed if they are to bring home the New Ireland Cup, but Sunday’s resolute performance in the face of adversity showed signs of having recovered the hunger and determination that characterised last year’s campaign.

Derry team

Claire O’Kane; Edel Henry, Helena Kelly, Ceara Cushnahan; Kate Laverty, Claire O’Kane, Jane Carey; Grainne McGoldrick, Briege Convery; Aisling Diamond, Aileen Laverty, Katie McAuley; Sinead Cassidy, Paula McAtamney, Patricia Murray. Subs: Meabh McGoldrick for Patricia Murray, Emma McIlvar for Sinead Cassidy, Alicia Wilkinson for Aileen Laverty, Katrina O’Kane, Mary K. McNicholl, Shauna Murphy, Andrena O’Kane.