Ladies finals day on saturday

The 2015 Ladies Coca-Cola Club Football Championship have reached its climax with three finals scheduled for decision on Saturday in Paddy O’Brien Park (Navan o’Mahonys) from 3.30pm, writes Aisling Clery.
Six teams will compete for the top honours in Junior A, Intermediate and Senior grades after what has been an excellent championship and the finals on Saturday promise to be the most exciting day of action yet.
The first game of an action-packed day will throw-in at 3.30pm when Clann na nGael will take on Dunboyne for the JFC title.
Captained by Cailin McDonagh, the ladies from Athboy/Rathcairn have been improving with every game. They faced their final opponents in the opening round and in a thrilling opening game the sides finished level, Clann na nGael 4-7, Dunboyne 2-13.
With Louise O’Connor, Shauna Tully and Aoife Minogue in top form they are sure to mount a serious challenge to their opposition.
Successive losses to Dunsany and St Colmcille’s in rounds two and three ignited the Clann na nGael side and sizable victories against St Patrick’s-Duleek/Bellewstown, Moylagh and Skryne followed.
In a nail-biting semi-final, they overcame the stern challenge of Dunsany and will look forward with optimism to Saturday’s final.
Dunboyne will have their tails up heading into the final. Winning the Ladies FL Div 1 final back in May was a huge boost for manager Martin Laffoy’s side.
In Vikki Wall, Fiona O’Neill and Aoife Thompson they have a real scoring threat. Dunboyne defeated St Colmcilles in the semi-final 3-17 to 2-11 and they will look forward to a tough battle in Saturday’s showdown.
Midfield will be an interesting battle with Dunboyne captain Julie Kavanagh sure to play a key role.
At 5.30pm Dee Rangers will be hoping to repeat their finals day success of 2014 when they take on St Michael’s in the IFc decider.
Having won the JFC, the Leinster Club JFC and reached the All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final last season Dee Rangers have once again been relentless in 2015.
They annexed the Ladies FL Div 2 title in May, overcoming a strong Royal Gaels outfit and went on an impressive unbeaten run in the group stages of the IFC.
However, Saturday will be a tough assignment as they meet a St Michael’s whose only loss in the championship was to Dee Rangers. The Syddan/ Drumconrath/ Meath Hill Dee Rangers will know that if they want to win the McKeown Cup, they will have to earn it.
They will be led by their captain Orlaith Duff, while Kelly Farrelly, Becks Goodwin and Lisa Young will all have key parts to play.
St Michael’s recovered from their opening round defeat to Dee Rangers to go on an unbeaten run in the IFC. Carlanstown was a fortress as they racked up sizable scores at home against Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Moynalvey and Blackhall Gaels.
Finishing second in the group St Michael’s secured that vital home advantage and faced Royal Gaels in the semi-final where they emerged from a tense and tight battle with a 1-12 to 1-11 victory.
St Michael’s blend of younger and more experienced players will be key with Marion Farrelly, captain Sinead McCormack and Sharon Callaghan likely to be to the fore.
The SFC final between first time finalists and perrenial contebnders St Ultan’s will take centre stage at Paddy o’Brien Park from 7.30pm.
St Ultan’s will be aiming for their first SFC title since 2004 and since losing the Ladies FL Div 1 final to Dunboyne they have shown remarkable skill, passion and tenacity to reach the final.
Their only loss in this year’s championship has been against Oldcastle, where they shipped a heavy 0-3 to 3-11 defeat in round seven.
Captained by Mary Coyne, the Bohermeen side will be anxious to ensure the same doesn’t happen again and with the scoring prowess of Katie O’Brien and Geraldine Doherty as well as the resilience and experience of Shauna Bennett, Anne-Marie Ball and Elaine Duffy, the SFC title could very well be heading towards the Silver Tankard on Saturday evening.
Oldcastle will have different ideas about the location of the senior Cup Saturday evening as they bid to win their first senior title.
This is Oldcastle’s fourth year in top flight football having won the IFC in 2011.
The north Meath side topped the table after the group stages which set up a semi-final with last year’s champions, Seneschalstown.
With tenacious defending and swift attack, Oldcastle recorded a 4-10 to 0-5 win – with Sarah O’Reilly contributing an impressive 3-5 to the final tally.
Oldcastle are led by joint-captains Bridgetta Lynch and Sinead Coyle and gutsy performances from both will undoubtedly spur on the girls in blue and white.
Entry on Saturday is €10 per adult, €5 per student or OAP and under-16s are free.
Under-11 teams from the clubs involved will provide the half-time entertainment.