Meath Ladies Announce Major New Sponsor

Meath Ladies Launch Coca-Cola Club Championships!

Dardistown Castle in Julianstown was a hive of activity last Wednesday as the Meath Ladies Club Championship was launched. Meath Ladies welcome Coca-Cola as Championship sponsors for each of the four championships – Senior, Intermediate, Junior A and Junior B and they were kind hosts to our launch reception which took place after the photoshoot.

The 2014 Club Championships provided huge entertainment with the finals held last September no exception. Moylagh won their first trophy at adult level in some time when they overcame the challenge of Boardsmill in the Junior B Final while Dee Rangers made up for their loss in 2013 to defeat Dunsany in the 2014 Junior A Final. Dee Rangers then had a terrific run in the Leinster Junior Championship – a run which saw them claim victory in the Leinster Final, beating Clane of Kildare in the decider. Their opponents in the All Ireland semi-final were Murroe Boher of Limerick, the eventual winners of the competition, who just had too much for the girls in black and white on the day. The 2014 Intermediate Championship pitted 2013 Finalists Summerhill against the 2013 Junior A Champions Simonstown – and it was the side from North Navan that claimed honours in the second game of a triple header in Donaghmore-Ashbourne. Simonstown reached the Leinster Semi-Final where they were defeated by Kilmacud Crokes in Dublin. The 2014 Senior Championship was one of the closest ever with old foes Seneschalstown and St. Ultans once again reaching the decider. The final, played before one of the largest ever crowds, was end to end throughout with Seneschalstown coming from behind to seal the title, an incredible 13^th title in 15 seasons. Indeed the Meath Queens of ladies football got as far as the Leinster semi-final, where like Simonstown, they were defeated by Dublin opposition, Na Fianna the triumphant team on that occasion.

On the basis of the club leagues that have just concluded, the 2015 Coca-Cola Meath Ladies Club Championships look to be the closest and most exciting yet. Surprise League Champions Dunboyne will surely have a great chance in the Junior A Championship, while the Senior competition will certainly have a shake up with promoted Simonstown ready to take on Seneschalstown and St. Ultans. The Intermediate Championship will be an intriguing prospect with all 8 teams vying for promotion to the Senior ranks for 2016. Last year’s runners-up Summerhill will certainly be knocking on the door once more while Division 2 League Champions Dee Rangers will be hot on their heels! The Junior B Championship has three second teams in Oldcastle, Boardsmill and Dunboyne while newcomers Trim have also joined the adult ranks. The action gets underway with Round One set for June 23^rd for Senior, Intermediate and Junior A, while Junior B’s Round One is set for 25^th June.

The opening round of the Senior Championship has thrown up two intriguing fixtures with Seneschalstown set to challenge Oldcastle and St Ultans ready to battle with newcomers Simonstown. Navan O’Mahonys will play Na Fianna in the other opening round fixture, while Boardsmill receive a bye. The Senior Championship has reverted to neutral venues which should provide some very interesting football over the next four months!

In the Intermediate Championship, Division 3 League Finalists Ratoath and Moynalvey will once again go head to head in Round One. While Ratoath came out on top in the Final, Championship football ensures this will be a game not to be missed.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne host Blackhall Gaels, Division 2 League Champions Dee Rangers play St. Michaels while last year’s finalists, Summerhill will have home advantage over Royal Gaels, both teams will be focused on getting off to a good start.

While St. Pats/Duleek-Bellewstown have a bye in round one, St Colmcilles will host Moylagh. Division One League Champions Dunboyne will play at home to Clann na nGael while friendly neighbours Dunsany and Skryne will battle it out in Dunsany in their opening round fixture.

In the Junior B Championship, Wolfe Tones have home advantage over Trim Ladies, Na Fianna B and Oldcastle B will go head to head and Dunboyne B will take on Walterstown (Walterstown’s regrade subject to June County Board Meeting.) Ballivor and Drumbaragh’s meeting concludes the opening round of games.

The Launch last Wednesday evening was certainly a who’s-who in Meath Ladies Football at the moment as team representatives gathered for a photoshoot in the gorgeous scenery of Dardistown Castle. Meath Ladies and our sponsors, Coca-Cola were joined by Dragon’s Den and Celebrity Bainisteoir’s Gavin Duffy and Irish Rugby Six Nations Champion Jackie Shiels to launch the Championship. In Coca-Cola’s premises in Southgate, Meath Ladies Chairperson Caroline Flattery welcomed everyone and sincerely thanked Coca-Cola for their kind sponsorship. Caroline Flattery also wished all the teams well and encouraged Club PROs to send in their match reports after games. Anna Keller spoke on behalf of Coca-Cola – on how sponsoring Meath Ladies in this venture is incorporated into their larger focus on women in business and encouraging female entrepreneurs. Anna Keller wished all the teams well and looked forward to seeing how the competitions unravelled. Meath Ladies special guest, Gavin Duffy entertained those present – highlighting how passionate he was about sport and how female sports will, sooner rather than later, accrue the attention of the media. He thanked the Meath Ladies for their invitation and wished all involved well. Meath Ladies made a presentation of two Senior jerseys with sponsor Cusack Hotels to our two special guests – Gavin Duffy and Jackie Shiels. Coca-Cola then provided a reception while players were interviewed ahead of the start of the championship by Meath Ladies and by Brendan Cummins, LMFM.

The Launch was a huge success and teams will now turn to focus on their preparations for the Championship at the end of June!