Junior Championship Final – Dowdallshill/Cuchulainn Gaels v Mattock Rangers
Dowdallshill and Cuchullain Gaels contest the Junior final having played just three competitive games together following their amalgamation at the beginning of the year.
With the Omeath girls striving to get back on their feet and the Dundalk ladies with only a few that have experience of adult football along with a large group of girls all under 17, it was decided at the beginning of the year to pool the clubs resources in Division 3 of the league. Unfortunately all plans went out the window due to COVID-19, with the girls only coming together for a challenge game a week prior to the commencement of the points competition.
However the following few weeks saw the team gel together as they became acquainted with each other, and a team spirit was formed during training under the watchful eyes of Gerard Roe and P J McGivern. Valuable experience was gained in league losses to Cooley and this weeks opponents Mattock as management tried to find their best team.
There followed a five week break from competitive action and all was going well weeks ago when at the third attempt a league victory over Clans B was achieved.
Then Covid-19 intervened again with the north-Louth club having to call off training for a time which also claimed last weeks league game v St Marys.
The combination side are likely to start the game with over half the team still eligible for minor next year, but those youngsters include Louth minor goalkeeper Rebecca Lambe Fagan, who has been a revelation in an outfield role, along with Caoimhe Crichton who was also part of last years All Ireland winning U16 team.
The team will look for the experience of Louth goalkeeper Una Pearson along with the O’Hagan sisters Francine and Michelle, and Eireann McLaughlin to steer them to a first ever Championship success.
Mattock also make a welcome return after a season out of adult football albeit with a very young side which includes a number of experienced players. Manager Barry Englishby will be hoping ex county star Maria Reid will be available while Abbie O’Brien and Anna Dunne have returned to the Collon side after a year spent away
The game has a 7pm start in Young Irelands GFC on Saturday 12th September and will be streamed live on Louth Ladies Facebook.
