Meath Senior Club Championship Round 1
Seneschalstown 1-9 Royal Gaels 2-8
This match was Royal Gaels first foray into Senior level football and they had the daunting task of kicking off their Senior Championship campaign against the reigning Queens of Meath football, Seneschalstown.
The Intermediate Champions were determined to show they are worthy and capable of competing with the best in the county.
Meath Senior Club Championship Round 1
Seneschalstown 1-9 Royal Gaels 2-8
This match was Royal Gaels first foray into Senior level football and they had the daunting task of kicking off their Senior Championship campaign against the reigning Queens of Meath football, Seneschalstown.
The Intermediate Champions were determined to show they are worthy and capable of competing with the best in the county.
Seneschalstown were quickest out of the blocks and hit 3 points before Royal Gaels registered. A fine Niamh O’Sullivan point followed by a goal gave Royal Gaels an early lead that they never relinquished. It was only some brave goalkeeping by Orla McLoughlin, pulling off a double save midway thought the first half, and some quick counter attacking by Royal Gaels that had the Intermediate Champs in front by double scores at half time.
Playing with the strong wind in the second half Seneschalstown showed their class and experience by pointing 5 unanswered scores after the resumption. Once Royal Gaels settled it was some gritty defensive work, led by Maria Kealy , that halted the Seneschalstown barrage. Karen Bowe took pressure off her defence with some surging runs forward and was unfortunate not to add to her tally when she made a threatening run from the midfield deep into the Seneschalstown area only to hit her shot just wide.
Royal Gaels had to deal with significant Seneschalstown pressure in the final 5 minutes but despite this Royal Gaels stood firm and ran out winners by 2 points.
Royal Gaels: Orla McLoughlin, Cliodhna Ni Dhushlaine, Maria Kealy , Laura McMorrow, Deirdre Kane, Sorcha O’Dwyer, Rebecca Considine, Gemma Flanagan, Blaithin Brennan, Niamh O’Sullivan (1:03), Karen Bowe (0:02), Robyn Kinsella, Shona Donoghue, Tara Ryan (0:02), Grainne Gallogly Subs: Maureen Bowe (1 goal) for Grainne Gallogly, Fiona O’Sullivan for Robyn Kinsella, Sinead McGroder (0:01) for Deirdre Kane, Lisa Redmond for Blaithin Brennan.
