GREENCASTLE swept to their fourth Ulster Cup success in a row this evening after Paddy Hannon’s team overcame Lagan Harps at The Lakeside.
Greencastle FC 3 Lagan Harps 0
Niamh Hegarty, Nicole Gordon and Karen Henry scored as the Chapel Lane outfit retained the title in style.
Hegarty’s cracker in the first half set Greencastle up for a memorable win with Gordon’s second followed by a fine third by substitute Henr late in the game.
It completed a successful day for many of theb participants with seven of the Greencastle starting team having earlier played for Moville as they defeated Glenfin to win the Donegal senior ladies crown at Ture.
For captain Sarah Faulkner, Kathy McLaughlin, Marie Kelly, Shannon McDonald, Gordon, Hegarty and Sarah Jane McDonald, it ended a superb Sunday with a second piece of silverware in their possession.
Before Hegarty’s goal in the 14th minute, Greencastle had to soak up plenty of pressure from Lagan.
Bríd McGinty’s side were at Aileach in search of a treble haul of honours having already claimed the Donegal Women’s League and Glencar Inn Cup this season.
And they set out the stall early here with Nakita Burke beating Faulkner only for Kathy McLaughlin to hook off the line.
Burke was narrowly wide with another effort and Faulkner saved from the same player after being teed up by Caroline Gallagher.
But Hegarty’s opener was a goal fit to grace any stage. From 25 yards, Hegarty let fly with a stunning shot that flew over Amy Boyd and into the roof of the net.
Lagan were rocked, but they did come close to leveling. Burke was again denied by Faulkner and Gallagher fired wide after taking receipt from an Aine Deasley cross.
Eimear Lafferty wasn’t far away from doubling the Greencastle advantage before the break, a dipping effort falling a fraction too late.
[adrotate group=”38″]McDonald warmed Boyd’s palms, but Hegarty’s goal was the only separator at the end of the first period.
Lagan began the second half brightly with Amanda Callaghan, after being prompted by Burke, fired narrowly over the top.
Nadine Crawford’s stinging free kick was fisted clear by Faulkner, but Greencastle got their second in the 57th minute. Lafferty’s corner asked the questions and Gordon provided the answer with a tidy finish at the far post.
It completed a hat-trick of sorts for the midfielder, who netted twice for Moville earlier in the day.
Hegarty could have added to the advantage, but was wide from a deep cross by Henry.
[adrotate group=”70″]Three minutes from time, Henry added the cherry when she hammered high past replacement goalkeeper Neve Scanlon and, for the fourth year in a row, the Ulster Cup was Greencastle’s.
Greencastle FC: Sarah Faulkner (Danielle Houghton 89); Danielle Barr, Kathy McLaughlin, Marie Kelly, Niamh McLaughlin; Shannon McDonald (Shona Kelly 75), Eimear Lafferty, Nicole Gordon, Lisa Burns; Niamh Hegarty (Danielle McDermott 88), Sarah Jane McDonald (Karen Henry 79).
Lagan Harps: Amy Boyd; Ciana Brogan, Chantel Kelly, Michelle Kelly, Zoe Green; Aine Deasley (Orla Friel 75), Nadine Crawford, Caroline Gallagher, Meghan Reid (Kaneshia McKinney 51); Amanda Callaghan (Neve Scanlon 85), Nakita Burke.
Referee: Tommy McAree
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