Meath Ladies U-14 Division 1 Championship Round 5
Seneschalstown 8-10 Royal Gaels 2-09
We are running out of words to describe this U-14 Seneschalstown ladies team who played out a fantastic match this evening in Fr. Tully Park. Taking on the might of Dunshaughlin’s Royal Gaels in Round 5 of the Division 1 Championship they played with real pride and guts determined to show why they are making such huge strides in Division 1, this being their fourth win in succession since their opening defeat in Rd.1 against Dunboyne.
Meath Ladies U-14 Division 1 Championship Round 5
Seneschalstown 8-10 Royal Gaels 2-09
We are running out of words to describe this U-14 Seneschalstown ladies team who played out a fantastic match this evening in Fr. Tully Park. Taking on the might of Dunshaughlin’s Royal Gaels in Round 5 of the Division 1 Championship they played with real pride and guts determined to show why they are making such huge strides in Division 1, this being their fourth win in succession since their opening defeat in Rd.1 against Dunboyne.
This game was always going to be fiercely contested with the Gaels having two powerful county girls Meath midfielder Aoibheann Bracken and Meath forward, Meadhbh Byrne needing to be closely watched. The game began with an opening score from Royal Gaels from a free after some resilient defending from the Seneschalstown rear-guard. The furze girls got an equaliser from a fantastic free from Ava Jane Ryan who split the posts from a long distance from her trusted left boot.
The game was being played at a fierce pace with the action from end to end. Passion and determination are second nature to this U-14 outfit and the Furze girls were rewarded with a fine goal from Centre forward Mallaidh Breen soon afterwards. The Gaels girls continued to put pressure on the furze defence were Sadhbh McLarney was handed the difficult job of marking Byrne but a fabulous block from Aoibhe Monaghan helped out the cause greatly.
Aine Nangle at full back flanked by Caoimhe Dunne and Sadhbh McLarney were being really tested but playing superbly. Lauren Donnelly kicked over a wonderful point from play after great work from Caragh Monaghan who was only returning from a recent finger fracture with the county to help out the club cause. The girls from the banks of the Boyne continued to pile on the pressure on the Gaels defence and were eventually rewarded with a goal from the full forward Sinead McLarney. Dunshaughlin again poured forward on the counter attack and scored a fine point and again the Furze girls responded with another point. Seneschalstown 2-03 Royal Gaels 0-02.
Alas this was to be Seneschalstown’s last score in the first half and ten minutes still on the clock. A hand injury to Aoibhe Monaghan after another superb block the midfielder who was enjoying a fine game brought her contribution to an abrupt end and unsettled the home side. The Gaels upped the pressure significantly after this and knocked over three unanswered points before Byrne found the net to haul Dunshaughlin right back into the game before half time with only the bare minimum separating the two teams.
Half Time: Seneschalstown 2-03 Royal Gaels 1-05
A reshuffled team after the break saw the introduction of U-12’s Megan Clarke into the corner back position and Charlie Murray coming on at corner forward, Lauren Donnelly also feeling ill the midfield totally changed with Caragh Monaghan and Orla Finnegan now operating against this strong midfield partnership of Dunshaughlin. Again Dunshaughlin drove forward in waves and began to dominate the exchanges scoring two points to take the lead for the first time and when their star forward Meadhbh Byrne found the net with a rasping long range shot giving the excellent goalkeeper Robyn Murray no chance the Dunshaughlin girls looked in control going four points clear. Seneschalstown 2-03 Royal Gaels 2-07.
Seneschalstown had not scored now for twenty minutes of play, however with wing backs Zoe Kirwan and Anna Wogan both enjoying a fine game, Seneschalstown began to move with excellence down the flanks being supported by McCarthy, Monaghan and Finnegan in midfield and Mallaidh Breen coming into the central area to add her strength. A sweeping move found the excellent Ava Jane Ryan who kicked two fabulous points from play. Ella Kilfeather chipped over another point and suddenly the furze girls were right back in the mix with only a point separating these two fine teams. At this stage even the Senior men who were training had begun to take a closer inspection of this thrilling encounter. Following another surging run from midfield Caragh Monaghan found herself in front of goal and buried it low to the net to give the furze girls the lead again by two points. A lead that they refused to give up. 3-06 to 2-07.
This inspired the furze girls into the last quarter and with a fabulous run from U-12 Charlie Murray who danced along the end line before shooting a fantastic goal from a tight angle. A counter attack from Dunshaughlin finished with the ball in the furze net but was judged to be a square ball and overruled the Gaels hearts sank a little. Orla Finnegan switched into the forwards now was revitalised and popped over a lovely point from her weaker foot before Ava Jane Ryan finished off a fine move involving McLarney and Donnelly who bravely battled on despite feeling unwell to the net to give the furze girls some breathing room.
Mallaidh Breen again showed us her wonderful talent with an excellent point from play and the Seneschalstown girls were really showing their spirit and determination. Royal Gaels fought back and showed how dangerous the were after hitting the woodwork they scored two fine points. Finnegan kicked over another point from play and after a weak kickout the Bellew Blonde finished to the net again with her weaker foot! Charlie Murray again popped over a lovely score from play and the U-12 star was showing huge potential getting on the ball and taking quick frees. Niamh Traynor was introduced to great effect winning the ball before laying it off to Mallaidh Breen who found the back of the net again. U-12’s Tara Traynor and Nicola Mongey also got their chances and helped close out the game with a fine assist to that girl again Ms. Finnegan who found the net again for the second time.
The score line flattered the Furze girls in the end of what was a fiercely competitive game that hung in the balance right up to the last five minutes. Great credit has to be given to both sides for such a fine contest. This was a committed and wholehearted performance from the Seneschalstown girls despite losing key players to injury (wishing Aoibhe a quick recovery) and sickness (Lauren D) they dug deep as always to cement their place at the top table in the Division 1 Meath U14 Championship. The juggernaut moves on to the final Round when Seneschalstown are away to Simonstown where a semi-final place will be up for grabs. The management team headed by George Donnelly, Martina Finegan and Caolac Monaghan could not be prouder of these girls with their performances in Division 1 and over the last few years. Magnificent memories that the girls are providing for all of us at the club.
Seneschalstown: Robyn Murray, Sadhbh McLarney, Aine Nangle, Caoimhe Dunne, Zoe Kirwan, Lauren McCarthy, Caragh Monaghan (1-00), Aoibhe Monaghan, Lauren Donnelly (0-01), Orla Finnegan (2-02), Mallaidh Breen (2-02), Anna Wogan, Ella Kilfeather (0-01), Sinead McLarney (1-00), Ava Jane Ryan (1-03).
Subs: Tara Traynor, Megan Clarke, Niamh Traynor, Nicola Mongey, Charlie Murray (1-01)
