Na Fianna 3-4 Boardsmill 0-2
Having captured the Intermediate Ladies Football Championship the previous week, many of the same Na Fianna players were involved on Saturday afternoon to help Na Fianna capture the Junior Camogie Final when they defeated Boardsmill. This game was played on an excellently prepared Donaghmore/Ashbourne pitch. This victory was a huge achievement for the team in only their second of existence and a huge consolation following their defeat by Dunderry in last year’s final.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Na Fianna girls defeated Boardsmill in the round stage of the competition, they were still apprehensive as they approached the game.
Boardsmill started the game the brighter and were first to register a score with a 7th minute point. The early stages of the game were noted for the excellent way the Na Fianna defence contained the Boardsmill attack. Eventually the mid field pairing of Claire Coffey and Elizabeth Flynn began to gain control and a more consistent supply of ball began to reach the Na Fianna forwards.
Mid way through the half Na Fianna corner forward Serena Dowling was fouled and Niamh Kirby pointed the resulting free to get the South Meath girls on the scoreboard. Na Fianna’s first big break of the half came when Claire Flynn played an excellent ball to Shauna Ennis who put the ball past the Boardsmill keeper. The remaining score of the match was a Kirby one-two when Aine passed to Niamh for another point. This left the half time score at Na Fianna 1-2 to Boardsmill 0-1.
Boardsmill began the second half in determined fashion and despite having a lot of possession they could not get past the Na Fianna backs. The game ended as a contest on the twenty minute mark when Shauna Ennis set up Niamh Kirby for Na Fianna’s second goal and this was quickly followed by a third goal from the quick thinking Marie Healy.
Boardsmill registered one further point but this was cancelled out by another Niamh Kirby point and a excellent point from substitute Caroline Walsh.
Apart from those mentioned others to play well were Michelle OMalley; Mandy Dixon and Therese Cosgrove.
Na Fianna: Nikki Doherty; Claire Reynolds; Lorraine Boggan (Captain); Caroline Murphy; Michelle O Malley; Mandy Dixon; Therese Cosgrove; Claire Coffey; Elizabeth Flynn; Shauna Ennis (1-0); Claire Flynn; Aine Kirby; Niamh Kirby (1-3); Mary Reilly; Serena Dowling. Subs: Marie Healy (1-0) for Serena Dowling; Marie Dunne for Caroline Murphy; Caroline Walsh (0-1) for Niamh Kirby; Siobhan Kirby for Mary Reilly; Orla Vessey for Claire Reynolds; Ann Marie Holton; Sarah Fitzpatrick; Orla Carr; Annette Parkes; Catherine Neary.
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