CLANN Eireann and Carrickcruppen will battle it out for the Marie Hoye Cup when they meet in the senior county final at the Athletic Grounds tomorrow evening.
It’s a repeat of last year’s final pairing, which Clann Eireann won after a replay 1-12 to 1-8, to clinch their first county title since 2019.
Under the management of new Orchard senior manager Gregory McGonigle, the Lurgan club are so far unbeaten this season and already have the Division One league silverware tucked away. They have also beaten Carrickcruppen twice this year in the league and will be favourites to retain their title.
From the team that started last year’s Ulster championship game against Donaghmoyne only one has stepped away. Niamh Henderson captains a side that has a lot of experience with the likes of Armagh county players Clodagh McCambride, Cait Towe, Niamh Coleman and Tiarna Grimes as well as Catherine Lawless, Grainne Carville,, Dearbhla Coleman and Aoibhinn Henderson. There is plenty of young talent too including forwards Eimear McConaghy and Niamh Murray.
This is Carrickcruppen’s 14th final in 16 years, a remarkable achievement, but their last final success came in 2018 and last year’s loss to Clann Eireann was their fourth final defeat in a row.
There’s no doubt the challengers have the experience and the talent to end that run. Stalwart Caroline O’Hanlon is at the top of that list and has been a key figure in helping them reach those 14 finals over the last decade. Her presence alone on the pitch is enough to rally her team-mates around her and even if she is not getting the scores, youngsters Ciara Garvey and Caitriona O’Hagan, as well as the experienced Megan Cinnamond and Sharon Reel, will give Clann Eireann plenty to think about. Former Fermanagh player Sarah McCausland also adds an extra dimension to the Carrickcruppen attack, while at the other end Orchard county goalkeeper Anna Carr is one of the best about, commanding her goal-line and orchestrating her defence.
When the sides met in the league, the first game ended 3-15 to 1-11 but the second was much closer 0-14 to 1-10. Previous final meetings have been close and go right down to the wire and this one is expected to be yet another decent tussle. NIKE AIR FORCE MISPLACED SWOOSH
It’s a big day for the Clann Eireann club, whose second team play in the junior final against Clonmore, which is being played as the curtain-raiser to this senior decider and throws-in at 3pm. NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW WHITE GUM BOTTOM
The intermediate final takes place on Saturday between Granemore and Clan na Gael in St Paul’s, Lurgan (12.45pm).