2007 Match Reports

7/12/07 Senior League Final            CHAMPIONS 2007

Dunboyne Ladies 1-14 Seneschalstown 0-12

Dunboyne Ladies GFC finished off an impressive year when they added the Senior League 2007 title to their list of achievements. And defeating the current holders and current County Champions, Seneschalstown, made it all the sweeter. The game was played in Ardcath on the 7th December, and given the amount of bad weather the previous days, the pitch was in remarkable condition. The rain held off to allow for an exciting and memorable date in the County-board's calendar. Dunboyne won the toss and elected to play with the strong breeze and the fall of the field. But they failed to capitalise on these factors and trailed at half-time 0-5 to 0-7 points. Indeed it could have been even worse for the Dunboyne girls had Seneschalstown converted their first half penalty chance, the ball rising over the bar for a point.

Good odds would have been given against Dunboyne turning it around in the second half, as the breeze stiffened, and with the quality of the Seneschalstown players that were on show including the very experienced Mary Sheridan, Louise McKeever, Orla Sheridan, Michelle McGrane, Emer O'Carroll, Debbie Mangan, and Fiona Mahon and many others, would have made the result a foregone conclusion. The tactical switching around of the Dunboyne team saw the fast-paced Fiona Mernagh go to midfield, and despite her height disadvantage, won the throw-in and drove forward, which resulted in a Dunboyne score. Practically from the kick out Dunboyne got possession again and another well-taken point which was to to tie the scores up at this point at seven scores each. Impressive second half performances up front by Kirsty Gough and Ali Clarke, who tirelessly ran up and down the pitch maintained the pressure on the Senior Championship winners. At this stage, Dunboyne were rampant, with little regard being shown for the reputations of the Seneschalstown names. Dunboyne were at this point taking points at will, with captain Julie Kavanagh, Aisling McGeown, Dee Blaney, Laura Dunne and the unstoppable Aoife Thompson all leading the way. When full-forward Gough was fouled, referee Niall Foran had no alternative but to award a penalty. Up stepped Aoife Thompson and she coolly slotted it past Louise Byrne in the Seneschalstown goals - this left five points between the teams. Desperate times for Seneschalstown, and as so often in the past, to greate effect for both club and County, Mary Sheridan was moved to full-forward. With wind assistance, high ball became a feature of Seneschalstown's play. Indeed she had some success, when they added two points, to have just three points gbetween the teams.

However, another move from Dunboyne saw the cool and commanding figure of Orla O'Connor move to mark Sheridan. This was to end Seneschalstown's dominance in this area. Indeed the poise and control of fullback Orla O'Connor, assisted by goalkeeper Lisa Buggle and defenders Paula Doherty and Chloe Hayes in the backline inspired the rest of the Dunboyne squad. Gemma Byrne, Clare Barker and Sinead Hackett dug in to hold the lines and deny the more experienced Seneschalstown outfit. When Fiona Mernagh surged from midfield and checked onto her right foot, to swing the ball over the bar, a memorable night for the Dunboyne team was completed. Dunboyne have now done the double over Seneschalstown in Senior competitions, having recently beaten them in the 2007 Feis Cup Competition.

Dunboyne team: Lisa Buggle, Paula Doherty, Orla O'Connor, Chloe Hayes, Claire Barker, Gemma Byrne, Fiona Mernagh (0-01), Sinead Hackett, Aisling McGeown, Julie Kavanagh, Alison Clarke, Deirdre Blaney, Laura Dunne (0-02), Aoife Thompson (1-08), Kirsty Gough (0-03). Subs: Jackie Reid, Fiona O'Neill, Katie Bourke, Emer Brady, Michelle McDonnell, Roisin Gallagher, Claire Hurson.