Match report from Conor McEnoy
Clan na Gael 2-8 Mullabrack 1-9
Clan na Gael ladies lifted the Buttercrane Armagh Ladies Intermediate Championship title at the third time of asking.
Beaten in the previous two finals, they were not to be undone this time as they overcame Mullabrack. Clan na Gael raced into an early five point lead. Their first score coming after just 13 seconds from their midfield captain Aoife Reid.
Clodagh Robinson and Ella Reid got two points apiece before Mullabrack got their first score from Nicole O’Reilly. The Lurgan side were full of energy in the first half with fast runs through midfield via Aoife Reid and Lara Marsden.
Mullabrack reduced the deficit after 23 minutes with a point from Shauna Gallogly. A pointed free from Aimee Brady increased the difference but it was in added time of the first half when Clans got the first goal of the game. Maeve McShane blasted to the net to give Clan na Gael a seven point advantage.
Mullabrack got their third point of the half through Amy Gribben which was the last play before the short whistle. The Clans went into the changing rooms leading by six.
Turnaround
Mullabrack started the second period much sharper on got back on the scoreboard through Shauna Gallogly after 36 minutes.
Lara Marsden got on the scoreboard with a point before Mullabrack hit back with two quick scores through Nicole O’Reilly. Another point from O’Reilly reduced the deficit once more. Ella Reid found herself in space and she blasted into the bottom left corner for Clans second goal. At this stage Mullabrack had a mountain to climb.
Nicole O’Reilly and Sarah Brennan added further scores for Mullabrack but another from Ella Reid put them five points ahead as the game went into added time.
A long ball in found Shauna Gallogly at the back post and she made no mistake. She found the net for Mullabrack’s first goal but in the end there was no time left and Clan na Gael came away with a two-point victory.