Richard Bullick
Armagh Junior champions Pearse Og’s hopes of making more history with a first ever victory at provincial level were dashed as Monaghan’s Aghnamullen overhauled them in the closing stages of Saturday’s Ulster quarter-final.
A good goal late in the first half by vice-captain Leah Gribbin had helped the hosts take a three-point interval lead in what proved a low-scoring game at Pearse Og Park but their opponents got over the line in the end.
After claiming an historic Armagh Junior Championship success last month, this was a first foray into provincial competition for the cathedral city club’s ladies and, although it ended in defeat, the Ogs can hold their heads high.
Against more mature and physically imposing opponents, the hosts held their own and the tie was level entering injury-time before a late flurry of visiting scores as the rain arrived left the final scoreline 1-8 to 1-5.
It was probably a deserved victory for Aghnamullen, who had become more dominant as the second half progressed, but they had to fight hard for it against a youthful and spirited Pearse Og side from whom there is more to come.
The tiny but electrifying Eilidh-Meabh Duffy tormented the visiting defence in the opening period with her twinkle-toed attacks which lit up an overcast afternoon and ensured the good crowd was well entertained.
Ogs skipper Ursula McParland had led from the back by snuffing out the first Aghnamullen attack in the opening minute and the speedy Duffy immediately went on a great run but her shot went just wide.
The centre half forward wisp pulled a free past the near post shortly after Aghnamullen got the game’s opening point but she made no mistake with her next set-piece a minute later to get the Ogs back on even terms.
Aghnamullen went ahead again with a free, which Duffy cancelled out by pointing from play, though both teams were guilty of squandering chances in a contest which was compelling despite the shortage of flags raised.
A magical run from deep by the mesmeric Duffy midway through the half brought no scoreboard reward for the hosts, who fell two behind in the second quarter as Aghnamullen pointed twice in the space of three minutes.
Down referee Ciara Gilroy was quite vigilant in identifying deft fouls, but her willingness to let advantage develop also contributed to an enjoyable game as she achieved a reasonable balance between being whistle-happy and not letting infringements go unpunished.
Perhaps spooked by the wind, Duffy went too low with a free after another of her runs but she scored a superb point with an overhead kick after dropping another one in from long-range which was well caught inside by full forward Caoimhe Donnelly.
A minute later, the Ogs were in front thanks to Gribbin netting from an acute angle on the right and Duffy quicky put a goal between the teams by converting a free ahead of a lengthy period of time added on for first half stoppages.
It took a brilliant block by the Ogs rearguard to prevent an Aghnamullen goal and there was also a good interception by midfielder Emma Hart just before the break as the visitors tried to hit back.
Gribbin won possession in the Aghnamullen goalmouth at the start of the second half and the ball almost rolled into the net but Pearse Og soon had to be alert at the other end to keep the opposition out.
There was scoreboard confusion around an apparent point for full forward Donnelly which turned out to have just been a signal for a 45 but, with Gilroy again playing advantage to good effect, Duffy pointed in the 39th minute to make it 1-5 to 0-4.
But a calmly-despatched penalty early in the final quarter brought Aghnamullen back to within a point and they got the equalising score courtesy of a 51st minute free before a prolonged period of stalemate.
However, with the prospect of extra-time starting to loom and the rain starting to fall steadily, Aghnamullen got their noses in front in the first minute of injury-time and raised a couple more white flags thereafter to secure their place in the last four.
In Saturday’s semi-finals, Aghnamullen will travel to surprise package Eoghan Rua from Coleraine, a club more famous for its camogie exploits, but who have beaten Knockninny Gaels from Fermanagh and Tyrone’s Beragh Red Knights to reach this stage.
