Meath Ladies Update

In the last number of years the Meath Ladies Senior Football Championship has been a little like Samuel Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’. Until last Saturday, St. Ultans had never beaten Seneschalstown in a senior county final. Godot never arrived for them. However, last Saturday this was put to rights and in some style. St. Ultans deservedly won the 2010 Senior Championship outplaying Seneschalstown for the duration. The first half showed St. Ultans determination, playing with the wind in the opening period seemed like a good decision. Katie O’Brien was majestic in midfield, linking well between her defence and attack. Frequently she was given too much space, and Seneschalstown swapping Grainne Nulty in midfield did little to change O’Brien’s dominance of the middle of the field.
O’Brien later went on to collect the ‘Player of the Match’ accolade, and deservingly so.
However, the award could have been given to a number of St Ultans players – Geraldine Doherty was lethal in front of goals, while Irene Munnelly and Mary Coyle were in superb form, mopping up ball after ball and clearing the Ultans lines. Seneschalstown were not going to give the Championship up without a fight, and Fiona Mahon’s surging runs into the forward lines put St. Ultans on the defence.

It was said that the first ten minutes of the second half was going to be crucial for both sides, and it was St. Ultans that got the dream start. Again it was the Ultans girls that moved the ball better, and were growing in confidence. Seneschalstown battled hard to the end, with Louise McKeever, Mary Sheridan, Nulty and Mahon doing all in their power to get back in contention. However, for the Meath ladies club team of the decade, time stood against them. When the final whistle blew, it was met with joyous scenes and elation from a team that epitomises a never-say-die attitude! Accepting the Mannering Cup on behalf of her team mates, Captain Katie O’Brien was delighted to have finally beaten the Yellow Furze outfit, and gave special thanks to the management team and the players that had stuck with the team through thick and thin.

In the curtain raiser, Na Fianna defeated Boardsmill to take the Senior Shield.
Although the preview alluded to history being made by having the Final in Páirc Tailteann, ironically history was made last Saturday night. St. Ultans finally defeated Seneschalstown in a Senior Championship Final by 4-13 to 1-14 and will go on to play Shelmaliers of Wexford in the Leinster Club Championship on the weekend of the 3rd October.

This coming weekend sees the Ladies All Ireland Finals taking place in Croke Park on the Sunday 26th. However, on Friday night the 24th, the last of the Meath adult championship finals will take place. Clann na Gael take on Moynalvey in Dunganny at
7.30pm. Referee is Mick Ryan from Dunsany. It promises to be close encounter. Shannon McDonagh, Blathnaid Keogh and Laura Gilsenan will all need to be in flying form to take on Moynalvey who have had one of their most successful years in their history. Go n’éirí libh!