Meath LGFA Kepak Junior B Ladies Football Championship Final
Match Report
Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels 4-16
Dunsany GAA 0-4
On Friday evening, the Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels fans, faithful, and families made their way to Dunganny a place known for its cooler air and swirling winds. Yet this time, the night was still and mild, hinting at a great evening of football ahead.
As Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels lined out in their traditional Minnis-sponsored black and amber jerseys, our neighbours Dunsany took to the field in their Centra-sponsored red and white.
It was a quick start, with Dunsany winning possession, but it wasn’t long before the ball was back in the hands of the Gaels. Despite two early missed opportunities, the nerves soon settled. By the 8th minute, Olivia Quinn, with an assist from Tara Glennon, got the first score on the board for the Gaels.
Caitlin O’Neill was strong and on plenty of ball, setting the tone early with her work rate and determination in the opening stages.
From the off, Ronnique Kato applied great pressure to keep Dunsany at bay. Dunsany were then awarded a free for what the referee deemed a foul, allowing Megan Thynne to convert leaving the sides level at a point apiece.
Clara McCanna had other ideas. With a rapid run through the middle, she popped one over the bar. As the Dunsany keeper kicked out, quick-thinking Suin Hartigan intercepted and passed to Katelyn Robinson, who converted for DRG’s third point of the game.
Again, the referee awarded Dunsany a free following a heavy tackle, and once more, Megan Thynne stepped up to score with ease. But next, it was Katelyn Robinson turning provider for Clara McCanna, who struck beautifully to give the Gaels their fourth point.
As the black and amber ladies began to settle into the game, it was Laura Bourke, with an assist from Olivia Quinn, set up Tara Glennon ,who fired the ball into the Dunsany net, giving Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels a five-point lead.
Dunsany worked the ball through the field, but a lapse in the Dunshaughlin defence offered them a chance only for Éabha Byrne to show her class with a brilliant save to deny what looked like a certain goal.
Molly O’Connor, who had been working tirelessly from the whistle, set up Clara McCanna for her third point. Then, from a particularly tight angle and with an assist from Niamh Summerville, Ciara Galvin put over a beauty of a point to extend the lead to seven.
Niamh Summerville had run the length and breadth of the pitch since the opening whistle ,assisting, dispossessing, and contributing all over the field and this time, she was rewarded with a score of her own, leaving the board reading DRG 1-7, Dunsany 0-2.
The next bit of play saw a fine passage between Ciara Galvin and Molly O’Connor, with a neat one-two that ended in Ciara adding an eighth Dunshaughlin point. Captain Laura Bourke then chipped in with a fisted point, as the Gaels continued to dominate.
Dunsany, however, had the final say of the half through another Megan Thynne point their third of the game.
Half-time score:
Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 1-9
Dunsany 0-3
As the second half commenced, Dunsany came out fighting determined to show that Anto O’Neill’s side weren’t going down easily. Dunsany were awarded their third free of the game, but it drifted wide. However, moments later, Megan Thynne made no mistake and put Dunsany’s fourth score on the board.
Laura Bourke then linked up beautifully with Katelyn Robinson to start Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels’ scoring in the second half. A free soon after gave Katelyn the chance to showcase her accuracy, and from the placed ball she converted with ease.
At this stage, the Royal Gaels sideline made some tactical changes bringing on Bronagh Sheridan for Olivia Quinn. As the number 20 made her return to the pitch after a short spell out with injury, it was clear that her wealth of experience brought a new dimension to the game. Sheridan’s first contribution was an assist to Katelyn Robinson, who sent a fine point over the bar. Moments later, Katelyn stepped up again to convert another free.
Fresh legs continued to make a difference, as Mick Summerville replaced the hardworking Eileen Gannon ,who had tirelessly kept the Dunsany forwards quiet ,with Megan McCarthy. Ronnique Kato, Saoirse Walker, and Emily Carter remained solid at the back, showing great strength and determination in dispossessing their opponents and turning over possession.
Molly O’Connor, once again unselfish in play, laid off to Katelyn Robinson, who coolly passed to the composed Sheridan , and she made no mistake, blasting the ball into the back of the Dunsany net.
Further changes saw Aisling O’Connor, Georgia Muldoon, Orlaith McEntee, and Ellie McCarthy enter the field, replacing Clara McCanna, Emily Carter, Katelyn Robinson, and Caitlin O’Neill , all of whom had put in excellent shifts to keep Dunsany at bay.
With an assist from Sheridan, Molly O’Connor finally got her reward for her tireless running up and down the pitch, slotting a fine point over the bar. Suin Hartigan followed up with a well-taken point of her own, before O’Connor ,on a roll struck again to register Dunshaughlin’s final point of the game.
With the scoreboard reading 2-16 to the Gaels, the Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels supporters knew the outcome was sealed.
In the final moments, the electric Bronagh Sheridan outstanding since her introduction , netted her second goal of the night.
Moments later, a foul by the Dunsany keeper on Orlaith McEntee saw Dunshaughlin awarded a penalty. Up stepped the ever-cool, calm, and collected Sheridan to slot home and confirm a Meath LGFA Kepak Junior B Championship victory for Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels’ second ladies team.
courtesy of PMcEntagart &
@elliemcentagart
Captain Laura Bourkes speech captured what this win meant …a special moment not just for these young women but a proud day for all three ladies teams and management and the wider Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels community in the 30th year of Royal Gaels History.
