Missed chances cost St Ultan's in return to provincial action
One sure sign a club is making progress, going places, is when they take part in one or other of the provincial championships.
Today was a big day for St Ultan's when they staged their first provincial club game in several years welcoming Kildare side to Sean Newman Park for this Leinster Club JFC encounter.
Reflecting the significance of the occasion there were plenty of flags sprouting out of houses in and around Bohermeen; an indication the goodwill this rejuvenated St Ultan's side carried into this contest.
Ultimately the home supporters in the sizeable crowd who turned up for this game in the lovely Autumn sunshine were to be disappointed.
Instead Raheens - who were involved in their first ever Leinster football championship fixture - won the game 5-9 to 1-11 and the day. They celebrated in style too and why wouldn't they. This was a massive occasion for them - and the simple truth is they deserved to win.
They were in front 3-5 to 0-7 at the interval and they stayed one step ahead of the Meath side who had plenty of possession but just couldn't translate that into something more tangible on the scoresheet. They hit 13 wides compared to just six from their oppoents from Kildare.
It made for frustrating viewing for the management team and the said home supporters as shots sailed wide or fell short into the grateful arms of Raheens goalkeeper Anna Dunlea.
The whole balance, the texture of the game, was tilted unquestionably in Raheens' favour in a three madcap moments in the opening half. With the game 13 minutes old (an unlucky 13 for the home side as it turned out) Raheens classy midfielder Sarah McGovern powered her way through the vulnerable looking Bohermeen defence and fired to the net.
From the kick-out St Ultan's launched an attack. The ball was worked into the opposition goalmouth. Nikki Ennis went down. 'Penalty' indicated referee Ciaran Groome. Up stepped Rachel Casserly, who was having a fine game, to take the spot-kick. She dragged her shot wide.
From the kick-out Raheens worked the ball downfield. Once again McGovern struck finding the net with a low drive. The ball was kicked out. Raheens attacked again. Once more they fashioned a goal, this time netted by Ciana O'Brien. Three minutes, three goals and a penalty miss.
The end result of all the frantic action was that Raheens found themselves in an indomitable position, one you knew they would not give up easily and so it proved.
Sure there were times when St Ultan's - powered by an unquenchable spirit that has characterised their performances all year - looked like they might, just might turn things around. With the help of a close range goal from Aoife Rispin they reduced the deficit to just three points, 1-11 to 3-8, after 52 minutes but they weren't able to push on from there.
There were some powerhouse performances from the Ultan's camp. Casserly capped her display with three points, Lesley Buchanan was energetic and enterprising and she fired over four. Kathleen Yore and Ennis each helped themselves to two points apiece and never stopped running. At centre-half back Mary Coyne stood out.
O'Brien hit a hat-trick of goals for Raheens, firing home two in the second-half, with her third on the hour mark really killing off this game as contest. Leah McGovern was another to feature for the Kildare side firing over three points.
St Ultan's worked hard, very hard, but it just wasn't enough this time. Still they can look back on wonderful year when they returned from the wilderness.
SCORERS
Raheens - Ciana O'Brien 3-1; Sarah McGovern 2-3; Leah McGovern 0-3; Emma Kietly 0-2.
St Ultan's - Lesley Buchanan, 0-4 two frees, one '45'; Aoife Rispin 1-0; Rachel Casserly 0-3; Kathleen Yore 0-2; Nikki Ennis 0-2.
TEAMS
Raheens - Ann Dunlea; Emma Heneghan, Enya O'Brien, Grace Kielty; Claudia Gray, Laura Dunlea, Ciara Malone; Sarah McGovern, Joy Duggan; Sally Kielty, Emma Kielty, Leah Fleming; Ciana O'Brien, Anna O'Donovan, Leah McGovern. Subs - Eimear Ward for O'Donovan 59 mins, Maeve Magner for Heneghan 61m.
St Ultan's - Nuala O'Brien; Emma Henry, Siobhan Rennicks, Mairead Costello; Linda Smith, Mary Coyne, Heather Smith; Lesley Buchanan, Trisha Marley; Emma Kate Ball, Rachel Casserly, Grainne Mackin; Nikki Ennis, Aisling Marley, Kathleen Yore. Subs - Shauna Monaghan for Henry 20mins, Aisling Kavanagh for Costello 41m, Rachel Ball for O'Brien 42m, Aoife Rispin for Marley 46m, Megan Buchanan for Yore 57m, Lillie Yore, Cara Martin for Mackin.
Referee - Ciaran Groome.
READ ABOUT THE ASTONISHING REVIVAL OF ST ULTAN'S IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE