Arva 4-09 Clan na nGael 0-04 Sunday 5th of October will go down in the history of Arva GAA when their ladies team represented Cavan in the first round of the Ulster Championship on a beautiful day for football. Arva went out to play against their more illustrious opponents from Tyrone, any team with a Dooher on it has to be feared, but Arva came from the dressing rooms and hit the ground running. They hassled and harried in real Tyrone style and got stuck into the game straight away against a team who looked like they hadn't woken up. It didn't take long for Arva's first score, a well taken free in the 4th minute by Emma Connolly from 35 metres, deceived the goal keeper and ended up in the net, the same player followed up with a point from the same distance one minute later. Arva struck a purple patch at this stage when they scored 3-03 without reply. Catherine Dolan scored a goal after good work from Bronagh Fleming, this was quickly followed with a point from Lisa Mulligan from a free. The third goal came in the twelfth minute of the half when Corey McCabe finished a great move started further out the field by Donna English and Catherine Dolan. Arva scored their fourth goal in the 16th minute through Ciara Gray after a good pass from Lisa Mulligan. Lisa Mulligan followed with a point from a free and another from play in the 19th minute to leave the home team up 4-04 to no reply. At this stage Arva were in total control all over the field with Melissa King, Donna English and Natasha Daly and Lisa Magarahan keeping any sign of an attack at bay. It looked at this stage to be a score keepers game but although dominant Arva they only managed to put one more point on the board. With the last kick of the half Clann na nGael finally got their first score with a well taken point from Orlath Kerlin sending the teams in a half time score of 4-05 to 1 point. Arva started the second half like a train with points from Catherine Dolan and the score of the match coming from Lisa Mulligan after a good passing move involving Siobhan Sweeney, Melissa King and Catherine Dolan. At this stage the Arva forward and midfield took their foot of the peddle and let the defence earn their pay and their were not found wanting with our player of the match Donna English, Siobhan Sweeney and Blaithin O'Reilly holding firm and restricting the visitors to just 3 points in the 2nd half. Arva were entirely dominant during the match, and a 17 point win is always to be commended, but their finishing in the 2nd half was questionable at times. All that aside their win was emphatic and a great team effort has brought the girls this far and one step closer to an Ulster Final. Team: Lorraine O Hara, Siobhan Sweeney, Blaithin O Reilly, Lisa Magarahan, Janice Sheridan, Donna English, Natasha Daly, Ciara Gray, Melissa King, Bronagh Fleming, Lisa Mulligan, Ruth Mulligan, Catherine Dolan, Emma Connolly, Corey McCabe. Arva will meet Monaghan champions Truagh on Sunday 12th October in Truagh at 2.30. Tweet

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