Ulster Senior Club Championship semi-final: Lurgan (Cavan) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) (Sunday, Ramor-Virginia, 1pm)
ULSTER champions Donaghmoyne will be out to ensure Lurgan do not cause another upset when the sides meet in tomorrow’s senior club championship semi-final at Ramor-Virginia.
Lurgan sprung a surprise in last weekend’s quarter-final against Termon, defeating the Donegal champions, 3-6 to 1-11. It was a superb team performance, a brilliant mix of some resolute defending, in particular from goalkeeper Evelyn Baugh and defenders Cora McDonnell and captain Ciara Brady against one of the best players about in Geraldine McLaughlin, in at the other end, Clara Lynch, Catherine Dolan and Emma Tolan kept the attacks going and scoreboard ticking over.
Emmet Daly knows his side are coming up against the best in the business but he and his charges go into this game, on home turf, full of confidence and knowing they have nothing to lose.
Donaghmoyne are vying for a 14th provincial title and showed their intent as they pushed past Clann Eireann in their quarter-final victory, 2-13 to 0-7.
The Fontoneys’ captain Niamh Callan admits she was surprised when she found out it was Lurgan and not Termon who progressed to the semi-final stage.
“We were surprised as we have met Termon so many times over the years and had a lot of great battles with them. But we also know from experience that when it gets to Ulster stages, it’s very much dependent on the day that will determine the result.
The sides have met on a couple of occasions in this competition throughout the years, in 2015 and 2017 with the Monaghan side winning both times. Callan scored three points against them in 2017 but was the meeting two years prior to that, in Lurgan, that she recalls and knows how hard they had to work to come away with the win.
“We played them once years ago in Lurgan and had a very tough game against them that day. They were very fit and fast. They are obviously a very good side to overcome Termon so we are expecting a very tough battle.”
Lurgan captain Ciara Brady and her team-mates are relishing their journey and the opportunity to play Donaghmoyne.
“We have a tough challenge ahead of ourselves in playing the current champions but I have no doubt that we will give it our best shot," said Brady.
“I think we showed great determination and team play in causing an upset as underdogs last weekend and don’t see why it wouldn’t happen again.
“I think it did come as a surprise to many but not so much to my team and management. We are delighted to be in this position and look forward to a sporting, competitive game ahead.”
