Castleblaney too strong for Skea in Ulster quarter-final

Lisnaskea 3-08 Castleblaney 3-19

A dominant first half display by Castleblaney ensured they out an end to Lisnaskea’s Ulster hopes last Saturday.

The Monaghan Junior champions racked up a 15 point half time lead and it was always going to be enough to sustain in a game played in very difficult conditions.

But there was an improvement from Lisnaskea who kept their opponents to three points in the second half.

Speaking after the game, Skea full back Áine Martin accepted her side were second best: “They were a lot stronger physically and that bit better.

“They have been together for a few years and have their eyes set on winning Ulster.”

But Martin praised her side on the second half efforts: “At half time 15 points down we knew it was too much to claw back so we just had to go out and play and in fairness we did that and we are happy in that sense.”

For Skea, Caroline Kerins was the scorer-in-chief hitting all her side’s goals and five points over the course of the game.

Sharon Murphy and Cliodhna Mcelroy also chipped in with score for Skea.

For the winners they were led by Jodie Mcquillan who hit eight points throughout the game while their goals, which all came in the first half to give them the unassailable lead, were hit by Hazel Hughes, Orlaith Maguire and Aoibhinn Mccooey.

While their journey in Ulster is over, Skea are not finished playing yet as they are due to take on Irvinestown in the Division Three league final this Sunday,

Lisnaskea’s Sharon Murphy tries to get her shot away under pressure from Castleblaney defenders.

A Lisnaskea player evades the challenge of her Castleblaney opponent.