LGFA Kepak Senior Championship Round 1
Skryne 2-7 Seneschalstown 4-11
A fine team performance from Seneschalstown secured victory over Skryne in Round 1 of the Kepak sponsored Ladies Senior Football Championship.
On a fine evening for football on an excellent pitch, once referee Finbarr Shanahan threw up the ball, the Senschalstown girls set about their task winning the throw in and within a minute were awarded a penalty. Orla Finnegan, who had just returned earlier that morning from the USA, stepped up to take it only to see the Skryne keeper get a foot to the ball and deflect it out for a 45. After kicking a couple of wides it was Kellie Stafford who opened the scoring on 7 minutes. Almost immediately Skryne equalised but Seanaidh Hickey restored the visitors lead with a fine point on the run. A minute later wing back Ruth Commons knocked over the third point with the Seneschalstown girls deservedly leading after a fine start. At the mid point of the fist half the first goal arrived as Finnegan slid the ball to the Skryne net. The home team replied with a point but a superb team move at pace almost the length of the field yielded Seneschalstown’s second goal with Anna Wogan blasting to the net. Seneschalstown unfortunately lost captain Meadhbh Hickey to injury to be replaced by Aly Finnegan making her Senior debut.
Skryne began to get more possession but the full backline of Leanne Clarke and Caragh Aoibhe Monaghan were keeping a tight rein on their immediate opponents. Seneschalstown keeper Louise Coyle was also called into action to make a fine save. The half back line of Hickey, Orla Garry and Ruth Commons contributed handsomely to both defence and attack when required. The midfield paring of Seanaidh Hickey and Tara Traynor were outstanding all through. Stafford knocked over another fee to push the lead out to seven but the home team registered 1-1 to cut the deficit. On the run into halftime Wogan would net her second major after some excellent work from Donna Stafford. Two more points were shared in injury time to leave the halftime score at Skryne 1-5 Seneschalstown 3-5.
When Seneschalstown reappeared for the 2nd half, Tiana Kyle replaced Aoibhe Monaghan due to injury.
Skryne had the upper hand in the early second half exchanges and were rewarded with scoring 1-1 without reply to cut the deficit to two points inside the first six minutes. Seneschalstown responded magnificently with five unanswered points from the Stafford sisters, Wogan and Ruth Commons. Skryne were then awarded a penalty but the spot kick was missed. The Stafford sisters again were on target with Kellie hoisting over a fine point and Donna, who didn’t give up on a ball that looked destined to go wide, collected it before slipping her marker and nestling the ball in the back of the net. Skryne tried hard to get some consolation scores but were denied on a number of occasions with one superb block from Leanne Clarke who had chased back from inside the opposition half epitomizing the work ethic that was evident from every player all through the game.
It is often said that the first line of defence is your attack and the Seneschalstown forwards epitomised this working tirelessly to put pressure on the Skryne kickout. The inside line of Donna Stafford, Orla Finnegan and the excellent Anna Wogan were causing all sorts of issues for the Skryne rear-guard. And not to be outdone the half forward line of Kellie Stafford, Ruth Commons and Caoimhe Clarke excelled in both attacking and dropping back to help in defence.
Next up is a trip to Dunboyne for round 2 on Friday Aug 23rd.
Seneschalstown: Louise Coyle, Leanne Clarke, Caragh Monaghan, Aoibhe Monaghan, Meadhbh Hickey, Orla Garry, Ruth Commons (0-2), Seanaidh Hickey(0-1), Tara Traynor, Kellie Stafford(0-6), Ruth Commons, Caoimhe Clarke, Donna Stafford (1-1), Orla Finnegan(1-0), Anna Wogan(2-1)
Subs Used: Aly Finnegan for Meadhbh Hickey (inj), Tiana Kyle for Aoibhe Monaghan (inj)
