Derry claim first ever three in a row

NWP Recycling Ulster Senior Championship: Derry 2-08 vs 0-11 Down

Derry claimed the Ulster Senior title for the third consecutive year after a thrilling game at Pairc Esler yesterday.

The opening 15 minutes were tense affair that saw both sides exchange points Karen Kielt hitting over for Derry from the placed ball and Catherine McGourty hitting over a free for Down. Aimee McAleenan added Down’s second and the Mourne girls held a one point lead, Derry had a number of goal chances but Maria McNally was equal to them saving a Sinead Cassidy shot from point blank range before bravely coming off her line to deny Mary Kelly.

It was Kelly who broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, the Slaughtneil player raised the green flag for Derry by handpassing beyond McNally after being played through by Dania Donnelly to give the Oak Leafers the lead for the first time.

Paula Gribben, Karen McMulland and Aoife Keown all continued to push forward for Down but their threat was well cut out by the Derry defence with Megan Kerr doing a fine man marking job on the Sharpshooting Niamh Mallon, while Aoife Ni Chaiside and Grainne McNicholl closed down Nicola Braniff and Catherine McGourty.

Aimee McAleenan got Down back of the mark with a fine point but Karen Kielt extended Derry’s lead back to two when she hit over a 45 but points from Niamh Mallon and Fionnuala Carr saw the sides going into the break level at 1-02 to 0-05.

The second-half saw Derry come out the sharper of the two side’s, Karen Kielt hit home a 21 yard free to give Derry the perfect start and it was this three point lead that Down could never recover from.

Catherine McGourty kept Mourne side in touch from the placed ball but Kielt was undoubtedly the star of the second-half, the Kilrea player hit over several frees from difficult angles. Derry captain Meabh McGoldrick struck over two fine points from range to extend her side’s lead with Carr and McAleenan grabbing points for Down.

Down introduced Sara Louise Carr and Karen Gribben and both players caused problems for the Derry back line but with the Mourne side searching for a goal Aileen McCusker, Eilis and Aoife Ni Chaiside held firm for Derry as they ran out victors on a three point margin, 2-08 to 0-11.

Derry manager Joe Baldwin was delighted with the character his side showed as they overcame a challenging first-half performance to take the Ulster title.

“The players deserve every credit and every respect. It was a hard fought game and the character was maybe tested today, at half-time Brian (Kealey) said a few harsh words and people’s character was tested but they came out and responded well in the second-half. I do think we were that little bit in front and I feel overall we deserved it, I am delighted for the players,” said Baldwin.

Eoghan Rua’s Megan Kerr played a key role in the game as she kept Portaferry ace Niamh Mallon to just one point and her performance earned praise from both managers.
“Megan (Kerr) played a great game, she is a great athlete. It is rare to get a player capable of doing that man marking role and who willing to sacrifice their game for the team these days,” said Down manager Alastair McGilligan.

Joe Baldwin echoed McGilligan’s thoughts, saying: “Megan Kerr is just outstanding, what an athlete, I just thought she was magnificent. Having watched Down play we realized a lot of Niamh’s supply ball came from Aoife Keown in midfield so we deployed a full back on her which worked well and Megan did her job tremendously.”

Baldwin was also keen to praise Player of the Match Karen Kielt’s performance but stated that every player would have a role to play in their All-Ireland campaign.

“Karen Kielt is the most naturally gifted hurler I have ever known, that is no disrespect to anyone. I would pay through the gate to watch Karen play week in, week out. She is magnificent, her reading of the game, the way she drops into space to pick up the break ball. When she gets going it is superb.

“I am delighted for Karen and the rest of the players, hopefully this is just that start and it is going to take the whole panel from 1 to 30. We have a serious work load ahead of us, we will have a challenge game between now and then to get rid of the rustiness. It will be good for camogie in Derry to get have home matches Grainne (McGoldrick) told me once going down on the bus that of the last 33 games she has played for Derry 29 of them have been away from home, it doesn’t make sense that young players don’t have the chance to see the players and aspire to be them,” he added.

Down manager Alastair McGilligan said that his side would regroup and focus on their Premier Junior All-Ireland game with Westmeath on June 22.

“Our focus is now on the Premier Junior Championship and preparing for it. We have time now to get players like Sara Louise (Carr) and Karen (Gribben) back to fitness. It is disappointing for the girls but we will pick ourselves up and move forward,” he said.