It was a rematch of the Ulster Intermediate final played in 2005 but the result was the same with the Lurgan girls coming out as convincing winners on a scoreline of Clann Eireann 2-15 Newtownbutler 0-7.

The game itself lacked real spark as the Fermanagh girls couldn’t handle the fast tempo set by the Clann Eireann girls. At times Clann Eireann looked ruthless with Laura Brown and Sarah Henderson finishing off some fine passages of play. Shauna O’Hagan and Rhona O’Mahony were rarely troubled at midfield. Denise Hagan in goals had a quiet day with only kick outs to cause her a headache.

Newtownbutlers’ centre half forward Marcella Connolly was their only real livewire but the Clann Eireann defence marshalled by their captain Meabh Moriarty stood firm. A number of times she did sneak through but was guilty of poor shooting. Up front for Clann Eireann Maighdlin McAlinden is coming into form notching 1-6. Her goal coming from a fine piece of teamwork. Julie Henderson grabbed herself the second goal of the game after some classy play on the counter attack from the Shore Road girls.

Clann Eireann progress to meet Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) on Sunday. The game is in Donaghmoyne at 2.30.

This Clann Eireann team work hard. They want an Ulster title and they know that nothing less than an improvement on Sunday’s performance will see them beat the Monaghan champions who knocked them out at the same stage of the competition last year.

As the only representative left in the Ulster Club series Clann Eireann has the backing of all in Armagh.