Ulster Junior D Development Final

Crana College 4-4
Thornhill College 1-0

The Ulster Junior D development was a monumental occasion for both schools involved as 2014 was the first year this competition was introduced. The competition combined schools who have been affiliated at Ulster College’s level over the years with schools that affiliated for the first time in 2014. It took place in the format of three groups and the schools participated in a blitz day with winners progressing to semi finals. Group 1 had the most teams so two teams qualified from that section. After blitz days were completed the semi final line ups were Crana College v St Joseph’s Coalisland and St Mary’s Limavady v Thornhill College with the Donegal side and Derry city schools progressing to the final.

The final took place at Templemore Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon. Crana College were quicker out of the blocks from the throw in and Leanne Kelly opened the scoring with a well taken point in the first minute. Kelly stretched the Crana lead with a goal three minutes later before tagging on her third score from play with another point in the sixth minute. Thornhill registered their only score of the game when Kate McDaid finished from close range in the 17th minute. Crana’s most dangerous players Rhianne McDermott and Karen Kelly scored a point each before the break which gave the Donegal side a 2-4 to 1-0 advantage at half time.

In the second half despite attack after attack, Crana College could find no way through the Thornhill defence with Sophie Brady in particular thwarting many of Crana’s efforts to increase their scores. Indeed it took Crana College to the 46th minute before they registered their first score of the second half. Sarah Scott had switched from corner back to corner forward at half time and she got her first goal following a long pass in from Karen Kelly and Sarah quickly doubled her tally with a second goal two minutes later. Thornhill defended strongly for the remaining twelve minutes of the game but any time they did try to advance in attack Emma Harkin and team captain Amy McGonigle held strong in the Crana defence and they held on to win their first College’s title on a score line of 4-4 to 1-0.

Ulster College’s Vice Chairperson congratulated the two school’s for being the first time finalists for this new competition and hopefully now both schools will continue through the Ulster College’s competitions and their achievements in 2014 will boost their confidence and belief for next year!