Niamh points the way for St Columba’s

4 December 2019

ST COLUMBA’S Portaferry began this game with a goal, a ground shot from Niamh Savage, and it was a sign of what was to follow as their ability to find the net turned this evenly-contested derby final in Downpatrick into a comfortable victory and second title in ten days for the lower Ards’ school.

Youngest player on the field, Amelia Magee, delivered an excellent performance in goal while Aislinn Savage, Roisin Murray and Clea Doran were others to shine with Abi Braniff

working hard to close down the danger posed by Assumption playmaker Ciara Doran, who finished as their top scorer.

She racked up two goals and six points and she, Olivia Sharvin, Orla Cotter and Caitlin Davidson were Assumption’s main players, while Cairenn Gilmore was a force until she had to retire with a hand injury at the break.

Niamh Savage had 1-1 on the board and Eimear McCarthy goaled before Assumption got up and running with a goal and a couple of points from Doran.

However a fine solo goal from Niamh Savage and a beautiful finish to the top corner from Abi Braniff a few minutes from the break left Portaferry with a 4-4 to 1-6 lead at the turn over.

A second goal from Ciara Doran and one from Shannon Coulter closed the game down to a single point, but then a move involving Erin Caldwell and Eva Doran ended with Emma Mageean forcing the sliotar over the line from close range.

That score got St Columba’s going again and more goals followed — Niamh Savage completed her hat-trick, Erin Caldwell a fine individual effort, Niamh Savage again and finally Megan Gilmore form an acute angle.

In the end it was a comfortable enough victory for Portaferry who add this title to the Junior Shield they won last week in defeating another Down side, St Malachy’s, Castlewellan.

St Columba’s: A Magee, R Kelly, A Savage, C Doran, R Murray, E Doran, L Sims, E Caldwell, C Savage, C Smyth, M Gilmore, A Braniff, E McCarthy, S Jamshidi, N Savage. Subs: E Mageean for E McCarthy, S McGrath for S Jamshidi.

Assumption: B Bell, H Carson, Z Burns, O Sharvin, Caitlin Gilmore, O Cotter, S Gilmore, C Davidson (0-1), O Fitzsimons, C Croskery, C Doran (2-6), S Coulter (1-0), C McEvoy, Cairenn Gilmore (0-1), C McKey. Subs: C Dorans for Cairenn Gilmore, F Henderson for C McKey.

Referee: Paddy Brannigan (Clonduff).

St Columba’s, Portaferry 9-4

Assumption, Ballynahinch 3-8

ULSTER COLLEGES U-16 FINAL

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