Match Report
Senior Club Championship
Saturday 18th Sept 2010: St Ultan’s 4-12, Seneschalstown 1-13
An epic Ladies SFC reached a thrilling conclusion at Ashbourne on Saturday as St Ultan’s dethroned defending champions Seneschalstown with an outstanding performance to claim the Mannering Cup. In a campaign that saw promoted Na Fianna produce several shocks, St Ultan’s lose to Boardsmill and Seneschalstown coast into the final with a devastating semi-final win over Boardsmill, few could have expected another amazing twist.
Match Report
Senior Club Championship
Saturday 18th Sept 2010: St Ultan’s 4-12, Seneschalstown 1-13
An epic Ladies SFC reached a thrilling conclusion at Ashbourne on Saturday as St Ultan’s dethroned defending champions Seneschalstown with an outstanding performance to claim the Mannering Cup. In a campaign that saw promoted Na Fianna produce several shocks, St Ultan’s lose to Boardsmill and Seneschalstown coast into the final with a devastating semi-final win over Boardsmill, few could have expected another amazing twist.
However, that is exactly what the large crowd at Ashbourne got as wind-assisted St Ultan’s produced a superb attacking display in the opening period and redoubled their efforts after the break. Seneschalstown, going for their 10th title in 11 years, contributed magnificently to a thrilling game, but they had no answer to the brilliance of St Ultan’s. The challengers were excellent in the first-half, but Seneschalstown excelled and must have believed that it would be their day when they trailed by just 0-7 to 1-8 at the interval despite playing into the teeth of a biting gale.
Within five minutes of the restart St Ultan’s were in the driving seat as two goals from outstanding captain Katie O’Brien stunned Seneschalstown and boosted the Bohermeen parish side to a 3-8 to 0-8 interval lead. Seneschalstown were rattled and St Ultan’s continued to pile on the pressure. Nine minutes into the second-half that lead was extended to 11 points and despite a gallant effort from Seneschalstown, particularly Fiona Mahon, Mary Sheridan, Stephanie Byrne and Louise McKeever, there was no way back. St Ultan’s had heroes all over the field.
When the pressure was on late in the game Irene Munnelly was inspirational at full-back. With Shauna Bennett operating as an extra defender in front of the potentially lethal Grainne Nulty they nullified that threat and kicked on. Mary Coyne was a rock at centre-back and with O’Brien and Mary Foley excelling at midfield they had a solid foundation which Seneschalstown could not break down in the second-half. With such a sound base to build on St Ultan’s were rampant in attack. It is a long time since Seneschalstown shipped such a heavy score, but St Ultan’s were worth every penny as Elaine Duffy, Ger Doherty (pictured, left) and Leslie Buchanan excelled.
Duffy, who returned from a wedding in Clare on Saturday for the game, was outstanding, but it was the drive, precision and effort of Doherty that epitomised how much St Ultan’s wanted to win the title they last claimed in 2004. O’Brien took the player-of-the-match award, but if Munnelly, Bennett or Doherty had been selected few could have argued as all four were superb in what was a brilliantly executed plan and performance by the worthy champions. The confidence and swagger that St Ultan’s played with wasn’t as evident during the opening period as Seneschalstown matched them score for score despite playing against the howling wind.
Even with the wind in their faces the defending champions appeared willing and able to score at their ease with two superb Nulty points giving them an early lead. St Ultan’s replied with Doherty edging her intriguing battle with Philomena Sheridan to kick two points before Buchanan gave the challengers the lead for the first time after six minutes. Mahon blasted over a goal chance to restore parity seconds later, but two points from Duffy (one free) and a fine score from Cliona Rennicks gave St Ultan’s a 0-6 to 0-3 first-quarter lead.
St Ultan’s hinted that they would push on to take full advantage of the strong wind, but Seneschalstown settled again with Byrne pointing twice either side of a Duffy free. Duffy converted a penalty after Doherty was fouled by Philomena Sheridan and Elaine Byrne which increased St Ultan’s lead to five points, 1-7 to 0-5. Mahon (free) and Mary Sheridan narrowed the deficit before Doherty forced impressive goalkeeper Anita McCluskey to tip over the bar and ensure St Ultan’s held a 1-8 to 0-7 interval lead.
There were fears that a four-point cushion wouldn’t be enough and those fears were heightened inside a minute of the restart when Mahon converted a free, but then came O’Brien’s two-goal salvo followed by points from Duffy (free) and Bennett to move St Ultan’s into a 3-10 to 0-8 lead. Seneschalstown caused St Ultan’s a few anxious moments when points from Nulty and Mahon (free) and a fortunate goal for Grace Deane closed the gap to 1-10 to 3-10. St Ultan’s settled again and after Duffy and Buchanan traded points with Mahon and Mary Sheridan it was Doherty who hammered the final nail with a superb goal.
Seneschalstown tagged on late points from Nulty and Mary Sheridan as St Ultan’s celebrated, but they were consolation scores before St Ultan’s were finally crowned SFC champions.
SCORERS
St Ultan’s – E Duffy 1-5, 1-0 penalty, four frees; K O’Brien 2-0; G Doherty 1-3; L Buchanan 0-3; C Rennicks 0-1; S Bennett 0-1. Seneschalstown – F Mahon 0-5, four frees; G Nulty 0-4; G Deane 1-0; Mary Sheridan 0-3; S Byrne 0-2.
THE TEAMS
St Ultan’s – Nuala O’Brien; Mairead Costello, Irene Munnelly, Mary O’Brien; Cliona Rennicks, Mary Coyne, Ann Marie Ball; Katie O’Brien, Mary Foley; Emily Casserly, Elaine Duffy, Karen Healy; Shauna Bennett, Ger Doherty, Leslie Buchanan. Sub – Cora Bennett for Rennicks 44mins.
Seneschalstown – Anita McCluskey; Elaine Byrne, Philomena Sheridan, Aodhnait McAdam; Debbie Dillon, Louise McKeever, Adelle Carolan; Mary Sheridan, Fiona Mahon; Edel McGrane; Orla Sheridan, Stephanie Byrne; Roisin Nulty, Grainne Nulty, Shannon Coffey. Subs – Aoife Sheridan for E Byrne 30 mins, Grace Deane for McGrane 44m.
REFEREE – Colm McManus (Gaeil Colmcille).
