THE lady footballers of Hilltown achieved the dream of their manager J A Gribben when they won the Senior Championship title from Castlewellan last Sunday evening.

This was a delightful final, filled with drama and passion at St Patrick’s Park, Newcastle. The Clonduff team, formed just five years ago, were going for a unique treble and they achieved it. They were Junior champions in 2004, Intermediate champions in 2005 and now Senior queens of the county in 2006. No wonder that they celebrated so joyfully following the final whistle. It will be a long time before this unique hat-trick is achieved again.

From the moment that Ronan Barry threw in the ball it was obvious that Clonduff were fired up for this decider. The Castlewellan defence found themselves under immediate pressure as Lorraine McGinn, the Gribben sisters and Mary McPolin ran at them with sheer abandon. Strong foraging by Noleen O’Higgins and Lisa Morgan kept Castlewellan in the game as Clonduff missed chances. The younger girls were almost too eager and it required the experienced Michaela and Aoibheann Downey to help them focus on the posts.

Clonduff sustained a severe setback when Noleen O’Higgins raced through unchallenged to score a Castlewellan goal.

Two minutes before half-time the sheer speed and determination of Oonagh and Karen Gribben created the opportunity for Mary McPolin to score a super goal. Lisa Morgan helped Castlewellan to hang in and at the break the teams were level at 1-4 each.

Castlewellan played their best football during the first eight minutes of the second half and two scores from Cathy Keown and one from Lisa Morgan gave them a three-point lead.

Would the Clonduff underdogs be up to the challenge? Paula Gribben very soon answered in the affirmative when she showed great composure in converting three frees in quick succession. With 12 minutes remaining both teams sensed that the next score would be vital and Lorraine Maginn burst forward to earn a vital free which Paula Gribben again converted.
As Castlewellan searched for an equaliser Michaela Downey fielded the ball deep in her own defence and cleared it to safety. Minutes later Michaela was on the move again as she strode forward into the Castlewellan half and drove over a superb long range score which had Clonduff supporters in full voice.

Castlewellan had chances near the end but they missed two frees and a young eager Hilltown team were worthy winners.
This victory was the result of a sustained team performance. Clonduff mentors J A Gribben, Paul McShane, Johnny McAleavey and Austin Ward will be happy that their team responded so superbly to their training and coaching.

Leanne McParland was a star defender, ably supported by Aoibheann Downey and Coleen McShane. Lorraine McGinn and Michaela Downey formed an ideal combination at midfield with Michaela coming into her own at just the right moment to swing the game in Clonduff’s favour. The Gribben sisters and Mary McPolin played with tremendous verve and enthusiasm up front.

Castlewellan’s top player was Clare Drummy who repulsed many Clonduff raids. She had solid support from Bronagh Quinn and Mairead Hardy. In the other half of the pitch Noleen O’Higgins and Lisa Morgan battled valiantly to try to save Castlewellan’s crown.

Clonduff: Elaine McCourt, Janine Brannigan, Coleen McShane, Bridget Kearney, Leanne McParland, Aoibheann Downey, Jolene Brannigan, Lorraine McGinn, Michaela Downey 0-1, Christine Brannigan, Oonagh Gribben, Paula Gribben 0-6, Cathy Keenan, Karen Gribben 0-1, Mary McPolin 1-1. Paula Cairns for C Keenan.

Castlewellan — Clare Steele, Clare Molloy, Bronagh Quinn, Aisling Crilly, Clare Drummy, Mairead Hardy, Aine Keown, Nolene O’Higgins 1-0, Aine Keary, Deirdre Quinn, Lisa Morgan 0-4, Cara Laverty, Paula Cleland, Cathy Keown 0-3, Kelly O’Higgins. Substitutes — Joanne Sloan for C Laverty, Leanne Owens for A Crilly.