Buttercrane Armagh Senior Championship Final replay: Clann Eireann v Carrickcruppen (tomorrow, Crossmaglen, 3pm)
THEY played out a dramatic draw seven days ago and tomorrow Clann Eireann and Carrickcruppen will battle it out one final time to see who will be crowned Armagh senior county champions.
It looked like the Lurgan side had reclaimed the Marie Hoye Cup after Niamh Murray had put them three points clear with three minutes injury time played but Caroline O’Hanlon salvaged a draw for Carrickcruppen with a 65th minute penalty as the sides ended level 0-11 to 2-5.
Clann Eireann started the last day as favourites and they remain so, hoping to get the job done this time around. They were frustrated for large parts of the game last day out as Carrickcruppen packed up tight in defence and they can expect more of the same this time.
O’Hanlon, who is captain of the Northern Ireland netball team, is currently in Glasgow where they have been taking part in World Cup Qualifiers with the final game against Isle of Man scheduled for tomorrow at 12.30pm. Currently it would seem she is unavailable but if results continue to go the way of NI, it would not be a surprise if O’Hanlon was in Crossmaglen.
The provincial club championship also begins this weekend with intermediate and junior preliminary rounds taking place.
Last year’s intermediate finalists, and favourites for this year, Steelstown Brian Ogs begin their campaign at home to Antrim champions Con Magee’s Glenravel.
Steelstown claimed their third Derry county title last month with victory over Ballymaguigan while Con Magee’s won the intermediate title with victory over St Gall’s. Steelstown’s experience in this competition, especially losing last year’s final to Kinawley, will certainly stand to them and they have county players like Ciara McGurk, Megan Devine, Emma Crudden, Aoife McGeough and Katy Holly who can have massive impacts on games. Glenravel, who lost last year’s Antrim intermediate final, will enjoy this venture into Ulster knowing that they have nothing to lose.
In the junior competition Fermanagh champions Lisnaskea, who won the All-Ireland intermediate club title in 2011, face St James’ Aldergrove, the Antrim champions.
