Ladies GAA Round-up: Plenty of action on local playing fields

A final quarter smash and grab gave Moynalvey a one point win over St. Patrick's in this Kepak Junior A Championship semi-final played in Ashbourne on Saturday.

Moynalvey 1-9 St. Patricks 2-5

For the second year in a row Moynalvey Ladies will contest the Junior A Championship Final, they’ll be hoping to atone for last year’s disappointment in the final this year on Sunday 15th October.

With many games falling foul of the to the incessant rain, credit to the Donaghmore/Ashbourne club whose pitch held up to host this semi-final.

Little separated the sides in the first half with it being equal score wise, 0-4 apiece with 30 minutes played.

Then Moynalvey suffered a sucker punch with the concession of St. Pats first goal just before the half time whistle to trail the Stamullen side 1-4 to 0-4 at half time.

It was Moynalvey who troubled the score keeper with the first point of the game coming from Rachel Garrett in the 5th minute.

St. Patricks opened their account ninety seconds later, which was soon followed by a second to lead 0-2 to 0-1 after eight minutes. Olivia O’Halloran fired over from acute angle on the left hand side of the posts to draw matters level.

A St. Pat’s point was countered by Garrett’s second of the afternoon to leave it three points each with 17 minutes played.

Each side tagged on another point each, before Pats goal in the 31st minute gave them a three point half time lead, 1-4 to 0-4. Within four minutes of the restart Moynalvey had the three point deficit down to one with a brace of Jennifer McLoughlin points, the first from a free and the second from play.

St. Pat's scored their fifth and only point of the second half in the 43rd minute, with Moynalvey responding a minute later through Jennifer McLoughlin, leaving a point between the sides once again, 1-5 to 0-7.

St. Patrick's then opened up a four point lead when raising their second green flag with a rasping effort finished low past Moynalvey goalkeeper Aoibheann Corcoran to the corner of the net.

However, that goal in the 47th minute proved to be the Stamullen girls last score of the game. With two minutes of normal time remaining, Moynalvey captain Cheyenne O’Brien unleashed an unstoppable rocket to the top corner of the St. Pat's net to ignite the maroon comeback, leaving a point between the sides again, 2-5 to 1-7.

Just before the sixty minute mark veteran Louise Donoghue fired over the black spot to draw the sides level and two minutes later the same player split the uprights from a free to give Moynalvey the one point win and a place in this year’s Kepak Junior A Championship Final.

Best for the winners were Fia O’Brien, Abbie Killalea, Louise Donoghue, Olivia O’Halloran, Jennifer McLoughlin and the outstanding Aoife Weston.

Moynalvey - Aoibheann Corcoran, Bridgie Brennan, Abbie Killalea, Fia O’Brien, Stephanie Walsh, Aideen Smith, Aoife Weston, Clodagh Murphy, Cheyenne O’Brien (1-0), Rachel Garrett (0-2), Louise Donoghue (0-3, 2f), Olivia O’Halloran(0-1), Ashling McLoughlin, Jennifer McLoughlin (0-3, 1f), Roisin Murphy. Subs used: Sarah Kelly for A. McLoughlin, Mairead McCabe for Garrett.

Kepak Meath LGFA Junior A Football Championship semi-final

Walterstown - 3-8

Clann na nGael - 0-12

Ruth Chambers

The Blacks are final bound! Meath LGFA Junior A Football Championship final that is. Walterstown disposed of Clann na nGael at the penultimate stage in Simonstown on Saturday evening and march on to face Moynalvey in the decider in two weeks time.

They had five points to spare over their counterparts from Athboy and after both an impressive and a battling performance, were fully deserving of the victory and a place in the decider.

The Blacks showed two changes to team from their quarter final meeting with Moylagh the week previous. Dual star Isabel O’Connor returned to the middle of the field and gave an absolute stunning performance, while county minor star Sarah-Jane Lyons also returned to the starting XV.

In addition to O’Connor’s top notch showing in the middle of the field, the Blacks’ two corner backs, Rosie O’Neill and Antonia Brady were in inspiring form, along with Zoe Harte, while in attack Lisa O’Neill was on song and bagged herself 1-5 over the course of the 60 plus minutes.

In all though Walterstown’s cohesiveness as a unit shone through in what physical and tough encounter in Simonstown.

Joey Farrelly’s charges took time to settle in to this semi final fixture and it was Clann na nGael who started the bright but in an attacking and in a defensive sense. They registered the game’s opening two scores courtesy of the impressive Louise O’Connor and Tessa Fleming.

Walterstown got off the mark in the seventh minute when Lisa O’Neill halved the deficit when she send over a free. At the midway point of the half she levelled up proceedings, once again from a free, after Ella Farrelly was impeded.

As the old saying goes, goals win game and the three put on the board by Walterstown proved crucial to them advancing to the final.

The first of the three came in the 16th minute and actually came from the kick out after O’Neill’s free that restored parity. Jennifer Lynch rose highest and claimed possession from the kick out and offloaded it quickly to Kate McCarthy.

Her quick pass to Sarah-Jane Lyons worked a treat as the latter stylishly planted the ball in the net to give her side a 1-2 to 0-2 advantage. And it was an advantage that the Blacks never let go of thereafter.

Walterstown, however, were dealt a blow soon after when Niamh McGuinness Óg, on one of her trademark penetrating runs down the wing, pulled up with a nasty hamstring injury. She was replaced by Edel O’Leary and her experience proved invaluable in the heat of championship semi final action.

Clann na nGael did manage to reduce the deficit thanks to a point from O’Connor but it was cancelled out by one down the other end from wing forward Lucy Reynolds. O’Neill popped over a free in the 28th minute and Walterstown led 1-4 to 0-3.

And then came goal number two and what an effort it was. Isabel O’Connor provided a super pass for Leticia Sheridan-Seery and her rasping shot burst passed Niamh Collins in the Clann na nGael goal and left the Blacks 2-4 to 0-4 to the good as the opening half drew to a close.

The Athboy outfit did manage to pull one back before the break but Walterstown led by five (2-4 to 0-5) at the interlude.

Clann na nGael were in need of a good start to the second half if they were to save their championship hopes, but it was Walterstown who picked up where they left off in the first. A fantastic point from Lisa O’Neill opened their second half account before Edel O’Leary turned over possession in defence before finding Lucy Reynolds and the latter split the posts to push Walterstown 2-6 to 0-5 ahead.

A converted free from Blathnaid Keogh kept Clann na nGael somewhat in touch but two minutes later the lights effectively went out for them.

When Kate McCarthy was fouled, Lisa O’Neill, as always, stepped forward to take the free kick from 30 metres out. Her strike deceived both the Clann na nGael defenders and ‘keeper and floated in to the net and meant Walterstown held a nine point lead just nine minutes in to the second half.

Full credit to Clann na nGael as they came full throttle at the Blacks thereafter, while Mollie Browne was forced to sit out ten minutes having picked up a yellow card just before the end of the third quarter.

The girls from Athboy hit five point without response to reduce the deficit to four but Walterstown settled after the purple patch and a point from Sarah-Jane Lyons in the 53rd minute steadied the proverbial ship.

A great pass from substitute Julie Donnellan was the catalyst for the Blacks’ next score. That pass found Sheridan-Seery, who off loaded to Lisa O’Neill and she tapped the ball over to leave Walterstown 3-8 to 0-11 ahead.

With seven minutes of injury time Clann na nGael pushed hard but Walterstown were not for breaking down. Indeed the Blacks’ rearguard was in defiant mood. They weathered the storm and only conceded a point from a free and grabbed their place in the final against Moynalvey on Sunday week in Simonstown.

SCORERS: Walterstown - Lisa O’Neill 1-5 (3f), Sarah-Jane Lyons 1-1, Leticia Sheridan-Seery 1-0, Lucy Reynolds 0-2.

Clann na nGael - Louise O’Connor 0-7 (5f), Holly Macken 0-2, Tessa Fleming 0-1, Blathnaid Keogh 0-1 (1f), Ali Sherlock 0-1.

WALTERSTOWN: Méabh McCarrick; Antonia Brady, Sophia Gillooly, Rosie O’Neill; Niamh McGuinness ÓG, Mollie Browne, Zoe Harte; Isabel O’Connor, Ella Farrelly; Leticia Sheridan-Seery, Sarah-Jane Lyons, Lucy Reynolds; Jennifer Lynch, Kate McCarthy, Lisa O’Neill. Subs: Edel O’Leary replaced Niamh McGuinness ÓG 19 mins, Julie Donnellan replaced J Lynch 50 mins, Abbie Farrelly replaced SJ Lyons 62 mins, Niamh McGuinness replaced L Sheridan-Seery 62 mins, Áine Downes replaced Lisa O’Neill 64 mins.

CLANN NA nGAEL: Niamh Collins; Áine Castles, Keelan O’Connor, Niamh Brogan; Holly Macken, Shauna Tully, Libby Kelly; Cailin McDonagh, Ali Sherlock; Ella Thompson, Blathnaid Keogh, Laura Gilsenan; Tessa Fleming, Louise O’Connor, Ella O’Toole.

REFEREE: Tom Lorton.

Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels 4-12

Skryne 1-8

Robert Kennedy

As the crowd gathered in Bective GFC for this highly anticipated encounter between last year’s runners-up (Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels) and the newly promoted Intermediate champions (Skryne), the officials were completing their final ground inspection, as the rain fell softly on the hallow turf. The go ahead was given by referee, Joe Curran.

The rain became heavier as the ball was thrown in, which was won by Royal Gaels Tina Troy. Her sheer athleticism to win the ball was soon followed with some slick passing by the half forwards. The ball eventually finding its way to Meadhbh Byrne who sent it high and just wide of the upright. The wind was already starting to play its part at this early stage.

Skryne worked the ball up the field from the kick out but Sadhbh O’Muiri was alert to the danger and moved swiftly to intercept the ball. However, this was short lived as an attempted cross field kick from the versatile Rachael Doonan, was plucked from the air and Skryne’s first shot sailed just wide of the sticks.

Royal Gaels ever reliable keeper Michelle O’Hare’s first kick out didn’t go according to plan and found the opposition. The ball made its way back at speed, with Michelle called into action pulling off a superb diving safe to her right to deny Skryne.

The breaking ball was picked up by Niamh Gallogly who found Rachael in midfield but as she slipped on the wet surface, the ball was snatched off the ground by the Skryne half forward.

The ball made its way to Ciara Smyth who opened Skryne’s account in the third minute, for the first point of the game. This seemed to unsettle Royal Gaels who went through a spell of wayward passes and miskicks from open play and frees, which didn’t affect the scoreline.

It wasn’t until the 12th minute before Royal Gaels threatened the scoreline, with the hard working Ella Moyle hitting the upright with the ball rebounding into the path of Meadhbh Byrne, who put her shot agonisingly wide. Skryne were now growing in confidence and

worked the ball up the field before being awarded a free on the 20 meter line. Ellie Murphy’s accurate free doubled Skryne score on the 15minute mark.

Two minutes later after working the ball out from the back at speed, Tina Troy rattled the back of the Skryne’s net, to put the Gaels ahead by a point. This ignited Royal Gaels who moved up the gears, with Niamh McEntee and Meadhbh Byrne splitting the uprights.

Skryne didn’t drop their heads, stuck to their game plan, and scored two excellent points of their own. On the 23rd minute, Royal Gaels had a game plan of their own and worked the ball to Ella Moyles, who ended an explosive run down the left with a goal from an acute angle into the top right corner of the net.

Meadhbh Byrne and Ciara Smyth exchanged scores before Ellie Murphy added another point from a free, in front of the post. Royal Gaels were not in the mood to roll over and hit the back of the Skryne net, with a well worked move out from the backs to Niamh McEntee, who made no mistake from close range.

Niamh O’Sullivan who had been relatively quiet until the 27 minute, scored a point with her trusted left boot. A minute later, Niamh Gallogly added another, with a sensational solo run from the halfway line. Royal Gaels were in cruise control and looking comfortable heading into halftime with a 3-05 to 0-06 scoreline.

As conditions continued to deteriorate, Skryne added the first point of the second half within 30 seconds of the restart but this was cancelled out, with a Niamh McEntee free in front the post a minute later.

Both sides had periods of sloppy play but this was mainly due to the poor weather conditions, which made ball handling extremely difficult. Niamh McEntee and Niamh Gallogly added a point a piece to extend the Gaels lead.

Into the seventh minute of the half, there was a moment when Niamh O’Sullivan went down clutching her leg. A sight no one wanted to see but luckily, this ‘never say die’ All Star’ rose to her feet to the applause from the large crowd of supporters. Niamh McEntee slotted the point over the bar from the resulting free.

Royal Gaels were dominating every kick out from Skryne and were eventually rewarded with a Meadhbh Byrne goal, on the 10 minute mark.

Two minutes later came the second moment of the game that raised some concern when two players went for a breaking ball and collided heavily. There was a considerable pause before play resumed and thankfully both players were able to play on, with a free awarded to the Gaels.

Skryne began to get back into the game with some attacking play from midfield which resulted in a goal, when Roisin McManus lost her marker, swivelled and blasted the ball past the full stretched Gaels keeper. History has proven that Skryne favour the wet, windy conditions but Royal Gaels looked composed and had their eyes on a place in the final.

Both teams brough on subs, with the Gaels having the more impressive bench, made up of both present and former county players. Royal Gaels experience to see out games such as this proved to be a step too far for Skryne, while the Gaels took full control and played some of the best possession football, to guide the ship safely towards the final whistle and the

finals in a couple weeks. Meadhbh Byrne and Ciara Gorman added to the score before the final whistle.

Prior to the game there were rumours that Royal Gaels were struggling to get points on the board in their early round matches. Well after their mesmerising display today, the Gaels certainly put that rumour to rest with a convincing 4-12 to 1-08 victory.

Royal Gaels await the winners of Dunboyne and Seneschalstown which is rescheduled for midweek due to pitch being unplayable on Saturday. No doubt, whoever Royal Gaels face in the final, it’s promising to be a mouth-watering encounter.

Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels - Michelle O’Hare, Sarah Duffy, Ava O’Brien, Keva McTigue, Karla Kealy, Sadhbh O’ Muirí, Rachael Doonan, Ella Moyles, Niamh Gallogly, Kristina Troy, Laura Murray, Anna Moyles, Niamh McEntee, Niamh O’Sullivan, Meadhbh Byrne.

Subs: Elena Kennedy for A Moyles, Laura Quinn for Kealy, Ciara Gorman for Murray &

Caitlin O’Neill for Duffy,

Lara Reynolds, Laura Bourke, Stephanie Caffrey, Tara Ryan, Leah Sheridan, Ciara Galvin, Mary Mc Donagh.

Last weekend's championship semi-finals and relegation play-off results.

Kepak Senior Championship semi-finals

Dunshauglin & Royal Gaels 4-12 v 1-08 Skryne

Seneschalstown v St Peters Dunboyne (postponed - to be played 03/10/23)

Kepak Senior Championship Relegation Playoff

Donaghmore/Ashbourne 3-06 v 1-07 Simonstown

Kepak Intermediate Championship Semi Finals

Na Fianna 1-12 v 1-07 St. Michaels

Dee Rangers v St. Colmcilles (postponed - to be played 03/10/23)

Kepak Junior A Championship Relegation Playoff

St Ultans v Boardsmill (postponed - to be played 02/10/23)

Kepak Junior A Championship Semi Finals

St Patrick's 2-05 v 1-09 Moynalvey

Clann na nGael 0-12 v 3-08 Walterstown

Kepak Junior A Championship Relegation Playoff

Dunsany 0-05 v 3-05 St Peters Dunboyne B

Kepak Junior B Championship Semi Finals

Trim v Navan O'Mahonys B (postponed – being rescheduled)

Gaeil Colmcille 2-09 v 2-14 Kilbride

Kepak Junior B Championship Relegation Playoff

Duleek/Bellewstown v Wolfe Tones (postponed – being rescheduled)

Kepak Junior C Championship Semi Finals

Drumbaragh Emmet 1-05 v 0-05 St Marys

Na Fianna 0-08 v 2-06 Seneschalstown B

Kepak Junior C Championship Relegation Playoff

Simonstown B 0-05 v 0-04 St Colmcilles B

Kepak Junior D Championship Semi Finals

Donaghmore/Ashbourne B 1-08 v 2-04 Dunderry

Summerhill B 1-09 v 0-07 Rathkenny

Kepak Junior D Championship Relegation Playoff

Ratoath B 1-09 v 5-05 Ballivor

Kepak Junior E Championship Semi Finals

Longwood 4-11 v 3-06 Oldcastle B

Clann na nGael B 1-05 v 5-08 Carnaross

Kepak Junior E Championship Relegation Playoff

St Patricks B 4-05 v 3-03 St Ultan's B

Kepak Junior F Championship Semi Final

Slane v Eastern Gaels (postponed - to be played 08/10/23)

Dee Rangers v Dunsany (forfeit by Dunsany)