Meath Ladies Update

The busiest passage of time for Meath Ladies football kicked off in style at the weekend with 4 finals down for decision. On Saturday night Wolfe Tones saw off the challenge of a spirited St. Colmcilles side to ensure their right to play in the Junior A Championship in 2011. The Niall McLoughlin managed side made hay early with a four goal sweep before half time which paved the way for victory for the Tones side.Leah Cooney’s inspirational runs boosted the Tones chances of silverware, while Aisling Whelan, Rachel McGrath, and Player of the Match Anna Hughes kept it tight at the back. After the resumption, St. Colmcilles dominated possession but the scores just didn’t come their way, two goals towards the end were consolatory – but the Graham Reilly managed outfit will surely be in contention for honours next year.

On Sunday a three match marathon was to be had for county board officials as proceedings got underway at 2pm. Last years beaten finalists Simonstown were hoping to continue 2010 in the inning form which they showed earlier in the year, however it wasn’t to be. Despite dominating possession in the second half the scores didn’t come their way and Na Fianna eventually won out by a brace of points. Niamh Lister and the Sheridan sisters Aisling and Niamh were the best for the Navan side while Áine Kirby, Hannah Cullen, Rebecca Smullen and Deirdre Moroney were the best for the Na Fianna side.
In the Intermediate shield final – Oldcastle set about dismantling Moylagh in startling fashion. The old adage ‘goals win games’ seems appropriate here, as Oldcastle scored 4 before the break and 3 after. 4 of the total came from the astonishing Kellie Allen, who continues to prove why she made her way onto this year’s senior county panel, and will be surely kept on for next years competitions based on her performance in Kells. County under 16 star Sinead Coyle was also in scoring fashion
and popped over point after point with a determined right boot. While the scoreboard suggested Oldcastle had it easy, looks can be deceiving. Moylagh weren’t about to be beaten without a fight, and were kicking some nice points of their own through Donna Garry and Sebana Moynagh. Ashley Leavy was crucial as ball winner in midfield and must have covered every blade of grass on the field! Deciding on a player of the match was so difficult for County Board officials, it was split between Oldcastle’s Sinead Coyle and Kellie Allen.

At 6pm, the last of the three games got underway, when Duleek-Bellewstown locked horns with St. Michaels. As alluded to in the previews last week, both teams were well supported, and it was the Michaels that got off to the better start, notching up three unanswered points before Leighanne Woods found the back of the net levelling matters after 7 mins. This seemed to inspire St Michaels, and the set about running at the Duleek-Bellewstown defence with much aplomb. The Michaels half forward line were inspirational – Leanne Lynch, Megan O’Brien and Fiona Nevin who was later presented with the Player of the Match accolade, as they controlled and fed ball into their inside line with full forward Ashling Regan in a particularly scoring mood. At half time it looked like St Michaels were going to run away with the match, but this wasn’t the case as Duleek Bellewstown ran riot in the opening minutes of the second period to bring the gap to just five points.
However, the pace of Áine Fagan, O’Brien, Captain Mary Smith, and Alicia Curtis kept the ball away from danger and St Michaels found their scores when they needed to. In the end, St Michaels had answers for all the questions Duleek-Bellewstown posed, and while St Michaels return to the Senior ranks, and begin plans for a Leinster Intermediate Club title, Duleek-Bellewstown will no doubt be back again next year to challenge for Intermediate honours once again. It finished in Kells,
St. Michaels 4-13 to Duleek-Bellewstown 3-09.
In other championship news, Clann na Gael defeated Ratoath in the first of the Junior A Finals played at the weekend. Their opposition will be Moynalvey, after they defeated Dee Rangers.
Walterstown and Dunsany will go head to head in the Intermediate Relegation final after both losing their relegation semi finals to Navan O’Mahonys and Summerhill respectively.

Next Saturday 18th September marks the biggest day of the Meath Ladies GAA club calendar when Seneschalstown Ladies go head to head with St Ultans to retain the Senior Championship.
Seneschalstown have won nine out of the last ten senior championships, just slipping up in 2004 when St. Ultans defeated Blackhall Gaels in the decider. St. Ultans were made work for their spot in the final, when Na Fianna pushed them hard to ensure their victory – Geraldine Doherty and Katie O’Brien were crucial players for the Bohermeen side, as was 15 year old Leslie Buchanan. Irene Munnelly, Mary Coyne and Anne Marie Ball will have to be on their toes and at their best to restrain
the Seneschalstown attack. The Yellow Furze side made light work of defeating Boardsmill in the semi final, perhaps knowing a tougher test may lie ahead in the final. Grainne and Roisin Nulty will be key for Seneschalstown, as will the inspirational Fiona Mahon who scored virtually at will in the semi. Seneschalstown too have uncovered some extra talent this year in the form of Shannon Coffey, who scored a hat trick of goals against Boardsmill. The 2010 GAA season has been full of shocks and surprises, so a verdict of next weeks match would be impossible. However, if its half as entertaining as the football witnessed by this PRO this weekend, then it is well worth a look. Throw in at Donaghmore-Ashbourne is at 7pm.

Preceding the Senior Final, another local derby will determine the location of this years Senior Shield. Boardsmill and Na Fianna do battle at 5 in Ashbourne for third spot. Boardsmill are fighting to retain the shield after defeating Donaghmore-Ashbourne in last year’s shield final.
Ciara and Laura Dempsey, Bríd Guy and Laura Bagnall will all need to be in strong form to take on Na Fianna who have been the dark horses of this year’s Championship. Clare Coffey, Marie Healy-Cole, and Andy Colgan will all be in fighting spirit hoping to get something out of this year’s championship.

Meath Ladies Fixtures
Friday 17th September:
Intermediate Championship Relegation Final:
Dunsany v Walterstown @ 7.30pm in Donore GAA. Ref> G. Sheridan

Saturday 18th September:
Leinster Intermediate Club Championship:
St. Michaels (Meath) v St. Conleths (Laois) @ 2pm in Carlanstown.

Senior Championship Shield Final:
Boardsmill v Na Fianna @ 5pm in Donaghmore-Ashbourne. Ref: Gerry McGivney.

Senior Championship Finals:
Shield Final: Boardsmill v Na Fianna @ 5pm
Championship Final: Seneschalstown v St. Ultans @ 7pm.
Both games will now be held in Donaghmore-Ashbourne.
The change of venue was out of the hands of the Ladies County Board. Apologies to all concerned