Junior honours at stake under Friday night lights

The first of this year’s LGFA finals takes place in Seneschalstown on Friday night (7.30pm) when Ratoath and Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels second team meet in the JFC decider, writes Anna Gardiner.

These two neighbouring teams know each other well, having faced off earlier this year in the Div 3 FL final. Although Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels had beaten Ratoath when they met in the group, it was Ratoath who went home with the silverware on that occasion, winning 4-8 to 1-9.

Ratoath again came out on top against Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels in the second round of the championship, beating them 2-12 to 2-8, and they would have to be considered favourites coming into the weekend.

Building on their league title, Ratoath have been in impressive form in the championship. They won all three group games and were firmly in control during their semi-final victory over St Pat’s.

Ratoath are solid in defence and have multiple attacking threats. Amy Gaffney, Fiona McNerney, Áine Cooke and Rebecca McIntyre are all fond of rattling the net, while McNerney is also reliable from placed balls. For the last two years, the JFC has been won by teams that were relegated from Intermediate the year before and Ratoath are poised to continue the trend.

Junior B winners in 2025 and Jacksie Kiernan Shield winners this summer, Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels B team are a serious outfit in their own right. They will be keen to avenge the league final defeat and will not fear Rataoth.

They have come through two tough matches in the knock-out stages, beating Trim by a point in the quarter-final and getting the better of Moynalvey after extra-time in the semi-final.

These hard-fought wins will stand to them in the final and could work to their advantage against a Ratoath team who won their semi-final with relative ease.

Dunshaughlin have the defenders and the firepower to match Ratoath. Clara MacCanna, Laura Murray, Tara Glennon, Keelin McGovern and Ailish Bruce are all playing with confidence this year.

When the sides met in the group, Dunshaughlin were seven points down at half-time and, despite picking up a yellow card and conceding a scrappy goal, lost by just four at the final whistle. If they can stay in touch in the opening 30 minutes of the final, they have the mettle to get the better of Ratoath, but it's a tight one to call.