UlSTER JUNIOR B CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Castletara v Derrylaughan

Saturday 1pm

bY Michael McMullan

THERE is a similar trend across both teams ahead of this weekend’s Ulster Junior B final clash of Derrylaughan and Cavan champions Castletara.

Both teams have been challenging for titles in recent seasons; are boosted by an influx of young players and have benefitted from quick-fire starts in their semi-finals.

Two goals from Caoimhe Coyle helped Derrylaughan on there way to a 3-9 to 1-12 win over Cullyhanna, while Castletara were 5-12 to 1-3 winners over Clontibret.

“There is a good exciting buzz around the club,” said Castletara joint-captain Sinead Moore.

“We were nervous going into the game because we hadn’t played a competitive game since November and some had played since our county final in October.”

After getting off to the perfect start, the Cavan girls had to withstand Clontribret’s pressure during their spell of dominance

“We defended well in all areas of the field, especially in our forward line; they’d turnover their backs when they were coming out with it.”

In the absence of competitive action, Castletara benefited from a challenge game the weekend before their Ulster campaign away to Meath side Drumree who were getting revved up for the Leinster Championship.

“Yeah, it benefited both teams and we got rid of the cobwebs,” Moore added.

She explained how, after a period of transition, Castletara’s main focus was to win the county title and no they’ve one hand on Ulster silverware

“We have a lot of new young players coming through at the right time and you can see how they have developed and fitted into the senior team,” Moore said.

“We have been building over the last five years. We were very close over last few years. We built on the last two seasons and we just put in a really big effort again.

“It (an Ulster final) was a great boost to the club and a huge lift to the community. They are all behind us; it was so nice to see all our supporters cheering us on against Clontibret.”

Moore references Derrylaughan’s three-point win over Cullyhanna as a barometer pointing to a really tough game in this weekend’s final.

Coyle’s goals separated the sides at both half time and at the second water break, with the Tyrone side 2-9 to 0-9 ahead.

“Cullyhanna really came back at us in the final five minutes, our goalkeeper Orla Donnelly had a fair few stops,” recalled Derrylaughan manager Clare Fitzgerald.

“It was heart-stopping stuff; it was tough and the girls felt i on Monday, but it is a good test for us. We came out of Tyrone in October and had no competitive games since the January 16th; it’s not an ideal preparation for Ulster.”

With other camogie clubs in Tyrone folding in recent times, Derrylaughan ‘struggled on’ with a panel 15 to 20, but they have been refreshed with a dozen players stepping up from the underage ranks over the last two seasons

“The core players are in their early thirties, “The big difference this year has been the amount of young girls who have come on the panel this year. They are not all making the first 15, but the squad has made the difference. They have made training fresher and there are more players competing for a place.”