U-14 Meath Division 1 Championship Round 4
Na Fianna 0-05 Seneschalstown 3-06
Seneschalstown’s U-14 girls adventure in Division 1 continues with aplomb after a huge battle with Na Fianna in Baconstown on Monday evening. With only a kick of a ball separating the teams at half time the Enfield outfit upped the pressure in the second half but came across an inspired display from the Furze girls who refused to relinquish their position in this competitive Division 1 despite missing a few key players through injury.
U-14 Meath Division 1 Championship Round 4
Na Fianna 0-05 Seneschalstown 3-06
Seneschalstown’s U-14 girls adventure in Division 1 continues with aplomb after a huge battle with Na Fianna in Baconstown on Monday evening. With only a kick of a ball separating the teams at half time the Enfield outfit upped the pressure in the second half but came across an inspired display from the Furze girls who refused to relinquish their position in this competitive Division 1 despite missing a few key players through injury.
The game opened brightly with Na Fianna playing with a significant wind in the first half the Seneschalstown rear-guard stood up to fierce possession and territory from the home side. A young Seneschalstown defence sporting no less than three under 13s – Anna Wogan, Zoe Kirwan and Sadhbh McLarney and two under 12’s – Robyn Murray in goal and Megan Clarke at corner back were ably assisted by Lauren McCarthy at centre half back, and Caoimhe Dunne at corner back. Despite much pressure the rear-guard only gave up two points in the opening quarter before the Furze girls could respond.
A reshuffled midfield of Meath players Aoibhe Monaghan and Lauren Donnelly began to show their county credentials and through hard work and brilliant tackling began to win the midfield battle. Fighting a stiff wind with ball in hand a fluent move upfield through the two midfielders resulted in finding Orla Finnegan free and she finished to the net superbly after fifteen minutes to bring the Yellow Furze girls right back into the game. Finnegan was as always a busy bee and kicked a fantastic point shortly afterwards into a very stiff breeze. Another fine move after great work from Ella Kilfeather, Niamh Traynor and Mallaidh Breen resulted in a fine point from the trusty boot of Ava-Jane Ryan. Despite the stiff breeze Seneschalstown were showing huge effort and Ryan was rewarded again with another huge point cancelling out a Na Fianna point earlier. A super move from Na Fianna just before half time saw the magnificent Robyn Murray almost cat like make a save from close range with great assistance from midfielder Aoibhe Monaghan who cleared the danger to see the half come to an end with Seneschalstown leading by 1-03 to Na Fianna’s 0-03.
With the wind on their backs Seneschalstown began as they left off with great work from substitute U-12 Nicola Mongey to set up Ella Kilfeather for a great point to push the Furze Girls four points clear. Na Fianna were not going down without a right battle and they began to look more and more dangerous but with another great run from Aoibhe Monaghan from midfield beating several defenders she found herself in the Na Fianna square and buried the ball into the net to give the Furze Girls some breathing room for the first time. Despite huge pressure from Seneschalstown and after Lauren Donnelly hit the crossbar the scores just dried up for the Furze Girls. Na Fianna grew into the game and began to excel firing off two fantastic points from their centre half forward who was proving a real handful but Anna Wogan was having a superb game in defence alongside McCarthy and Zoe Kirwan who were winning their 50:50 duels.
The scoreboard read Seneschalstown 2-04 Na Fianna 0-05 and with Na Fianna really taking the game to the visitors, this pressure resulted in a penalty for Na Fianna only for the superb Murray to save the well stuck penalty and pounce on the rebound. The ever reliant Mallaidh Breen eased the nerves of the Seneschalstown sideline kicking two lovely points from play before another probing run from Orla Finnegan with great assistance from Charlie Murray, weaving and ducking her body to bury a superb strike into the top corner of the net. Another U-12 Tara Traynor was introduced to great effect to help the defence see out a memorable win.
Four games into Division 1 and the Seneschalstown girls are leaving quite an impression, next week is the mighty Royal Gaels but the Furze Girls will be waiting for the tough challenge that awaits. Hard luck to a fine Na Fianna side who showed great determination to get back into this game despite facing a tough wind in the second half.
Seneschalstown: Robyn Murray, Caoimhe Dunne, Sadhbh McLarney, Megan Clarke, Zoe Kirwan, Lauren McCarthy, Anna Wogan, Lauren Donnelly, Aoibhe Monaghan (1-00), Orla Finnegan (2-01), Mallaidh Breen (0-02), Ella Kilfeather (0-01), Niamh Traynor, Ava Jane Ryan (0-02), Charlie Murray
Subs: Tara Traynor, Nicola Mongey
