MARLEYS SHINE AS LISSUMMON WIN FINAL
Richard Bullick
Sisters Catherine and Sarah Marley contributed 1-8 between them as Lissummon saw off fellow surprise package Keady in a relatively low-scoring Buttercrane Junior Championship showpiece in Crossmaglen on Saturday, winning 1-11 to 1-4.
Having lifted the Intermediate title in 2015 and 2020, the omens were on Lissummon’s side as they sought to claim championship silverware again after another five-year interval and, once again, their Marley sisters were to the fore.
A decade ago, Niamh Marley delivered a Player of the Match performance as Lissummon staged a spectacular second half comeback against Shane O’Neills and she captained the team to victory over Ballyhegan in Keady five years later.
The youngest sibling Catherine picked up Player of the Match on that occasion and her five first half points here laid the foundations for Lissummon’s win, while the late goal which sealed Saturday’s victory came from her sister Sarah, who got the individual award this time!
Although Keady actually took the lead briefly through a Maggie Callaghan goal, they were kept on the back foot for most of the opening period by a Lissummon side with more big game experience despite losing the eldest Marley sister, Caoimhe, since their last final.
Promising prospect Ella Toal had been flagged up in advance as a star for Keady and she was the provider for her team’s goal as well as scoring all four of their points, some eye-catching, but it always felt like Lissummon would have the wherewithal to come out on top.
Ulster rugby star Niamh Marley, who missed her Belfast club Cooke’s opening All Ireland League game – a 44-0 defeat away to Wicklow – to line out for Lissummon was, unsurprisingly, a formidable physical presence throughout.
She and her 39-year-old sister Sarah, who has also previously lined out in the oval ball code for Dungannon, dominated midfield, using their many years of experience playing county football to good effect.
Sarah scored two points in addition to the goal, which proved Lissummon’s last score, while the excellent Catherine weighed in with a total of 0-6 and there was a point apiece from Niamh Corrigan, Amy Knox and Noreen McCaffery.
Lissummon and Keady did well to reach Saturday’s decider having gone into their respective semis against Tir na nOg and Middletown as underdogs and the future would appear to be bright for both clubs.
Although their adult ladies side has come and gone over the years, Keady had a panel of 40 players listed on Saturday while it was very encouraging to see Lissummon, as a small country club, being able to top out no fewer than 29 for the big game.
Keady’s goalkeeper Aobha Mone deserves a mention for some brave, vital saves which kept her team within range for most of the game but this was Lissummon’s afternoon and it ended with celebrations after joint captains Niamh O’Hagan and Zara Magill received the trophy.
