Taken from Down Democrate

Ladies Senior Ulster Club Championship – Round One
Crossmaglen 7-19 Loughlinisland 0-02
CROSSMAGLEN cruised into the next round of the Ulster Championship after this cut and dry episode against Loughlinisland.

The Armagh Champions went into this game as favourites over the best ladies team in Down, yet what wasn’t expected was the ruthfulness which Crossmaglen continually pounded the Down champs.

Rarely has a team been so aptly named. As Loughlinilsnad were completely lost out to sea. Crossmaglen submerged them with such a depth of talent and commitment that the team in blue could find no such life raft coming out to rescue them.

What Crossmaglen will benefit from this game is difficult to ascertain. In reality they had nothing to gage themselves against.

It was a limp display from the Loughlinisland girls, but not in terms of effort. The Down Champions continued to plug away.

And even when Cross destroyed any soul-baring hope by banging in goal after goal, they still stood tall, tried to work to ball and never once waved the white flag when lesser mortals would have.

However, in terms of ability, drive and hunger the Loughlinisland ladies could not even such much as hold a candle up to the ‘Cross girls.

The amber and black girls, carried on were they left off in the county final against Kilcarrick.

Led by the inspirational captain Alma O’Donnell alongside twin sister Bronagh in the middle of the field, they took charge of the game from the opening seconds and didn’t relinquish it until the final whistle.

Up front, Patricia McAvoy won a staggering amount of ball and her neat passing to Aileen McDooley and Sarah Conlon, as well as prolific scoring was outstanding.

Maria Boyle, in goals for ‘Cross, could have been forgiven for taking a seat in the stand, so little she had to do.

And those in the back lines, such as Geraldine Duncan, Fiona Quinn and Aoabhan Donaldson, gave Louglinisland no room at all to manoeuvre.

Before ten minutes had elapsed ‘Cross were two goals to the good, the first from Bronagh McDonnell after a nice layoff from McAvoy and the second, a driving shot, 20-meters out from Sarah Conlon.

Conlon, Sharon Duncan and McDooley each added a point before from a meter outside the square, Sharon cheekily chipped the Loughlinisland ‘keeper for Crossmaglen’s third goal.

‘Cross were in unforgiving mood and didn’t ease off for even a second, however, Alma McDonnell’s penalty struck the crossbar on 20 minutes but three minutes later she found the net with a floating lob.

Rarely will she ever have a busier day but Rice, in the Loughlinisland goal, made several first-class saves and had it not been for her excellent shot-stopping, Crossmaglen’s goal tally would have been into double figures.

Half Time Score: Crossmaglen 4-07 Loughlinisland 0-00

And any hope the Loughlinisland girls had of having an easier half were quickly dashed when 25 seconds into the restart, the experienced and light-footed McAvoy had the ball in the back of the net.

The game transpired into nothing more than shooting practice for the ‘Cross girls, yet with a professional attitude, they were given a task to do, and they did it with polish.

Sharon Duncan added the South Armagh side’s sixth goal and on 38 minutes the biggest cheer of the afternoon could be heard from both sides of supporters when Bernie Valentine warmed the hearts of many with their first point of the game.

Now the Armagh champions played under the instructions of opting for points

and the magnificently galvanised side sunk their teeth into Loughlinisland with a steeliness that can only be admired.

Points from all angles and various players diced the ball between the posts and Loughlinisland got their second and last point through an Emma McGovern converted free.

Crossmaglen continued to brush aside what the Down girls could muster and McAvoy sealed off a great team performance with a goal at the death.

What stead this will set ‘Cross for the next round remains to be seen, but with the calibre of talent and unwavering desire, don’t be surprised if they are there or there about towards the final shake-up.

Yet still for ‘Cross, it’s a matter of job done, more still to do.

Crossmaglen: Maria Boyle, Aoabhan Donaldson, Fiona Quinn, Geraldine Duncan, Pamela Dooley, Donna McShane, Maria O’Donnell, Alma O’Donnell, Bronagh O’Donnell, Rosin McShane, Sharon Duncan, Tina Leenaghan, Sarah Conlon, Patricia McAvoy and Aileen McDooley.

Louglinisland: M Rice, S McCallister, J Gibney, S Fisher, O O’Tool, B Cassidy, M McClements, E O’Reilly, Y O’Hare, C Potter, H O’Reilly, B O’Hare, B Valentine, E McGovern and L Grant.