Gallogly strikes late to keep champions on track

O'Mahonys edged out in thrilling semi-final

Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 1-11

Navan O'Mahonys 2-7

Champions Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels continued the defence of their Ladies SFC title and booked their spot in the decider with a slender victory over Navan O’Mahonys.

Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels looked sharp from the get-go and Meadhbh Byrne opened the scoring for them early on. Ailbhe Leahy produced the perfect response before Lauren Woods followed up with a point as Navan O’Mahonys settled into the contest.

Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels were awarded a penalty when a foot-block decision went against goalkeeper Robyn Murray. The resulting effort went over the bar. The sides exchanged scores as Bronagh Sheridan and Byrne slotted over scores for Dunshaughlin. Niamh McEntee struck for a goal which gave the champions a four-point advantage.

Good interplay between Karla Kealy and Sheridan created another scoring opportunity as Dunshaughlin added another point to their tally.

Orlaith Mallon posed a threat going forward and chipped in with another point. Isabel Thorp struck for a goal late in the half but at the break the eventual winners led 1-6 to 2-2.

Soon after the restart Mallon restored parity before Sheridan responded with a brace of points. Sophia Fitzherbert drove forward from defence and landed a nice score before Elena Kennedy answered with a point for Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels.

Mallon added another as Navan O’Mahonys stayed firmly within touching distance. Bronagh Sheridan showed her composure once more and restored the two-point lead.

Muireann Nelson struck two points in quick succession and drew the Brews Hill side level. It was the county star Niamh Gallogly who provided the decisive score with a late point which sealed Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels’ spot in the decider.

Dunshaughlin: Michelle O’Hare; Sarah Duffy, Ava O’Brien, Keva McTigue; Karla Kealy, Sadhbh O’Muiri, Niamh Summerville; Ella Moyles, Niamh Gallogly; Leah Sheridan, Meadhbh Byrne, Elena Kennedy; Bronagh Sheridan, Niamh McEntee, Petra Reilly.

Navan O’Mahonys: Robyn Murray; Sophia Fitzherbert (0-1), Sarah Maguire, Sarah Powderly; Holly McKeigue, Hannah Heskin, Lilly Dwyer; Rebecca Reilly, Charlie Murray; Milly Clarke-Carolan, Muireann Nelson (0-2), Lauren Woods (0-1); Isabel Thorpe (1-0), Ailbhe Leahy (1-0), Orlaith Mallon(0-3).