Kinawley 3-10 Glen (Derry) 2-04

Kinawley booked their place in the Ulster final on Sunday afternoon and in doing so created a little bit of history for the club. 
The Brian Boru’s are in unchartered territory but they have proven themselves in each game and will now to attempt to overcome the final hurdle, Armagh champions, Shane O’Neill’s.
With a large crowd to cheer them on, in McManus Memorial Park, Kinawley battled hard in the first half, as the teams went in all square at the break. 
In the second half, the Boru’s dominated, keeping the Derry ladies scoreless for the entire half. 
A hat-trick of goals from Joanne Doonan over the hour sent Kinawley into the provincial decider where they know they’ll be up against even stiffer competition.
Aided by a slight breeze, it was Glen who opened up the scoring with two quick points from Breena O’Loughlin and Catherine McKenna. 
Kinawley started to settle into the game and Joanne Doonan opened the scoring. Midway through the first half, Kinawley broke through for their opening goal. Good work by Lisa Maguire on the wing, found Shauna Melanaphy in space, she played a one-two with Doonan who slotted home to give Kinawley the lead.
Aine McHugh and Aine McManus stretched the home side’s lead but Glen were not going to give up easily. O’Loughlin found the net and minutes later they grabbed a second goal to leave the score 1-03 to 2-02 in favour of the Derry champions.
O’Loughlin was on hand once more to tap over another point but Lisa Maguire responded for a much needed Kinawley score. 
Sarah McGroggan landed a fine point from distance for the south Derry team but just before half time Kinawley finished off a well worked move with another Doonan goal, to leave the teams level pegging at the break, on a scoreline of 2-04 apiece.
Kinawley’s defence stood firm in the second half, as the Brian Boru ladies got to grips with this game. The prolific Doonan was on hand once more with a point before combining well with Melanaphy again, as she netted her third goal of the afternoon.
Doonan, substitute Kayleigh Magee and Lisa Maguire all added scores as Kinawley sealed a memorable victory and booked their place in the Ulster final at the end of the month.
Kinawley joint manager, Noel Melanaphy was delighted with the result and his team:
“It was a great performance from the whole team. It would be difficult to pick out individual players because they all worked hard. 
“We’re still one match away from winning anything though but we’re delighted that the hard work showed and the girls were able to put in a very strong second half. I think their fitness really shone through and that is testament to the work Brendan McGovern has done with them on the training field.”
The Boru’s are scheduled to play the Ulster final the same day as the club’s senior men’s team travel to Belfast for the Ulster Club quarter final against Antrim champions Aghagallon. 
The fixture clash is being addressed though and it is hoped the ladies game can be moved to the Saturday or indeed a double header in Belfast could be the answer. 
A decision on this had not been reached on Monday night last but a solution was being sought.
For Kinawley, sisters Courteney and Erin Murphy were solid in defence alongside Donna Furey. In midfield Róisín O’Reilly fielded a lot of high ball and up front Alannah Maher, Shauna Melanaphy, Joanne Doonan and Lisa Maguire were all outstanding.