19/05/03 :: Moy 0-4 - Sperrin Óg 3-17
Sperrin
Og produced a terrific attacking display in difficult conditions at
Pomeroy on Monday night to run out convincing winners, at the expense
of Moy, in the 2003 Minor Grade 2 championship final. With the wind
at their backs, Sperrin Og took full advantage in the opening period
and had opened up an unassailable 1-10 to 0-2 interval lead.
The eventual winners portrayed tremendous strength up the centre of
the park and in centre-forward, Maureen Teague, they had the games outstanding
performer. The team captain was in untouchable form on the day and her
personal tally of 1-9 was indicative of her immense contribution. The
free-scoring Sperrin Og attack were very much on top of their game and
had it not been for a spectacular display from Moy keeper, Eimer McKearney,
there would unquestionably have been a number of other goals scored
too.
Despite playing into a strong breeze, it was Moy who got off to a flying
start when they produced a sweeping move and Charlene Murphy found her
range to provide the Tir na nOgs with their only lead in the proceedings.
Kim McCullagh levelled matters within a minute and, following a thunderous
Maureen Teague strike off the Moy crossbar, McCullagh again found her
range from the rebound to send Sperrin Og ahead for the first time.
The Greencastle club side were already very much on the ascendancy and,
despite missing a number of chances, soon began to pull clear. Maureen
Teague knocked over a neat point and it took two brilliant saves in
succession from McKearney to deny Kim McCullagh a brace of goal attempts.
Sperrin Og pull clear Kelly McKenna
scored to make it 0-4 to 0-1 on 12 minutes and there was considerable
drama in the Moy goalmouth before Sperrin Og finally delivered the games
opening goal. Kim McCullagh’s initial strike came off the crossbar
and the corner forward then saw her volley from the rebound again come
off the woodwork. However, Shauna Keenan eventually managed to slot
the ball in the corner of the net at the third attempt as her side opened
up a six point lead. The full forward then followed up with a well taken
point before Maureen Teague and Charlene Murphy exchanged points at
opposite ends of the park. Teague then cut in and blasted the ball low
over the bar from close range and there were further scores from Louise
McDermott, Kim McCullagh and Maureen Teague before the half time whistle
was sounded.
It concluded a very dominant first thirty minutes from Sperrin Og who
incredibly also registered 13 wides in the same period while Eimer McKearney
also produced another two outstanding reflex saves in the closing exchanges.
Moy thus trailed by 1-10 to 0-2 at the half-time break and, while facing
an uphill assignment in the final thirty minutes, they would benefit
from the breeze in that period of play.
Just as in the first half, Charlene Murphy was first to hit the target
for Moy with her well taken score lifting the Tir na nOg fans as they
anticipated an ensuing comeback. However, it never materialised as Sperrin
Og, with Eimer Teague driving them forward from centre back and Maura
Teague dictating matters from within the Moy half, the writing was soon
on the wall as to how things were going to transpire.
Impressive approach play Sperrin Og’s impressive approach play
would have looked more appropriate in grade 1 football and Moy were
ultimately left chasing a lost cause for the remainder, despite a valiant
attempt. An astounding 50 metre run and score from Teague typified her
influence on the proceedings and she increased the lead further witj
another score on 37 minutes.
Kim
McCullagh added a goal before unleashing a sensational second Sperrin
Og goal from 13 metres as her side opened up a 2-13 to 0-3 lead. Again
it took a couple of top drawer goal-line stops from McKearney to prevent
more goals while Moy did go on to create a number of chances but four
consecutive wides effectively sealed their fate.
The inspirational Maureen Teague rifled in a goal and a point prior
to Moy’s final score of the game through Melissa Hughes. Eimer
McKearney produced another amazing save, to cement herself as Moy’s
outstanding individual on the night but it was Maureen Teague who ensured
her ‘player of the match’ accolade with a brace of fine
scores in the concluding stages.
Sperrin Og thus ran out convincing winners to achieve their first minor
championship success and team captain Maureen Teague collected the silverware
that will no doubt have sparked considerable celebrations within the
club this week.
Sperrin Og – Patricia Teague, Donna Marie Daly, Karen Teague,
Emma Daly; Maggy Gallagher, Eimer Teague, Nicola Glass; Laura Lee McCullagh
and Caterina McKenna; Louise McDermott, Maureen Teague, Kelly McKenna;
Kim McCullagh, Shauna Keenan, Sonia Clarke.
Subs Used: Laura Logue for E. Daly, Michelle McDermott for K. McCullagh.
Other subs: Francesca Conway, Roisin McCullagh, Sarah Potter, Bernadette
McCullagh, Elesha McDermott, Charlene Doherty, Denise McCullagh.
Moy – Eimer McKearney, Caoimhe Duffy, Cathy O’Neill, Michelle
Clancy; Catherine Rooney, Shauna McCann, Michelle Gribben; Colleen McCance
and Gemma Prunty; Mairead McCann, Nina Murphy, Ashlene McCann; Shaheen
Brady, Charlene Murphy, Mellissa Hughes.
Subs: Alice Murphy, Darina McNicholl, Joanne Daly, Sarah Teague.
Sperrin Og Scorers: Maureen Teague (1-9), Kim McCullagh (1-4), Shauna
Keenan (1-1), Louise McDermott (0-1), Kelly McKenna (0-1).
Moy Scorers: Charlene Murphy (0-3), Melissa Hughes (0-1).
Referee: Martina Glackin (Fr. Rock’s).
REPORT BY teamtalkmag.com
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