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Written by DonAsh GAA   
Monday, 11 May 2009 15:15
Senior Ladies’ League Division 1 Final

Donaghmore/Ashbourne Vs Senechalstown

Date:        9 May 2009
Venue:        Walterstown CLG
Time:        7:30 PM
Referee:    Gerry O’ Brien ( Wolfe Tones )

HT    Donaghmore/ Ashbourne    1-6    Senechalstown    2-6
FT    Donaghmore/ Ashbourne    3-8    Senechalstown    2-11

Team:
Alison Fitzgerald, Aine Ni Mealoid, Aoife O’ Rourke, Sorcha Murtagh, Roisin Williams, Grainne Field, Jenny Moran, Mary-Kate Benville, Eva Mc Neilis, Catriona O’ Shaughnessy, Maire O’ Shaughnessy, Hayley Lawton, Lizzy Lynch, Anna Reidy, Ailish Moran. Subs Aisling Doherty, Alison Leahy, Kyna O’ Connor, Niamh Mooney, Karen Menton, Ciara Dixon, Michelle Johnson,Lisa Macken, Hayley Jenkinson, Jeannie Donnelly, Aideen Kenny

In this year’s league campaign, only Senechalstown had overcome Donaghmore/ Ashbourne, and only St Ultan’s had overcome Senechalstown so this was going to be a very intense game between two strong sides. Both teams had their full squads available for this match, unlike the last meeting when Donaghmore/ Ashbourne  had a number of key players injured.
Senechalstown signalled their intent from the throw-in, winning the ball and getting it straight up to the forward line, netting a goal in the first few minutes. We won the kick-out, with midfield getting the ball down to Lizzy, who scored our first point. There was an interval of tit-for-tat scoring, where Senechalstown scored a point, then Hayley scored for Donaghmore / Ashbourne, then another for Senechalstown. Ali Fitz in goal made an excellent save from a point- blank shot, but the ball  was won in the middle of the park, and sent straight back into our square, where the opposition added a second goal to their tally. Donaghmore / Ashbourne rallied, with Roisin picking out Lizzy and Maire along the left- hand line, who passed the ball along to Hayley who notched up another point.  This was followed by a point for Senechalstown. Ali made another fine fingertip save, and the resulting kick-out was won by the Don/ Ash midfield and they got our passing game going,  with  two points  and a goal from Catriona and a point from Lizzy before Senechalstown got back on the scoresheet with a point. We had a couple of wides from frees before the break, so that at half-time the score stood at Donaghmore / Ashbourne 1-6 to Senechalstown 2-6.

After the break, Aisling came on for Lizzy and there was another bout of exchanging scores, as Catriona and Eva scored a point each to Senechalstown’s three over the same interval, when Aisling  hit the back of the net to leave the sides a point apart. All the ladies’ fitness was tested to the limit as the battle for possession raged in midfield.  Alison Leahy replaced Jenny at this point, and from then on the tension was palpable as Donaghmore / Ashbourne first of all reeled in the opposition lead and then went ahead themselves, as a consequence of another good save from Ali and a looping shot on goal from Ailish which looked to be heading over the bar, but dipped at the last moment to evade the Senechalstown goalie and hit the back of the net. Goal !  At this point, Donaghmore / Ashbourne were two points up with just about 2 minutes of normal time, plus injury time to play. There was last-ditch defending from Donaghmore / Ashbourne, and  waves of attacks from Senechalstown. We conceded two frees in quick succession, both of which were converted to points as the goals were lined with green shirts.  Shortly after the resulting kick-out, the referee blew for full time to leave the sides level at 3-8 to 2-11.
The Final will be replayed at a time and venue to be advised.
Last Updated ( Monday, 11 May 2009 15:31 )