Seneschalstown 3-15
Simonstown Ladies 2-17 

Simonstown Ladies faced defending Senior Champions Seneschalstown in round 2 of the Coca-Cola Senior Championship on Wednesday evening in Slane.  In a very entertaining and closely contested game played in warm and humid conditions it was Seneschalstown who claimed full points with a win by the narrowest of margins.

Simonstown were first on the score sheet with a goal from Naoise de Graaff within the opening minute.  Regina Hand quickly followed with a point before Seneschalstown levelled with a point and a goal of their own.  Eleanor Lane was on target with the first two of her eight point tally.   Seneschalstown's determination  not to let the Navan ladies extend any lead saw them more clinical in front of goal with Louise McKeever and Amy Gilsenan causing trouble for the Simonstown defence. Kelly Harris and Lane clocked up further scores but it was Seneschalstown who went to the break with a four point lead while Simonstown would rue what should have been two certain goals kicked narrowly wide and six point attempts stray of the posts.  Half Time:  Seneschalstown 2-08   Simonstown Ladies 1-07

On the restart Simonstown began strongly with fine points from Harris (2), de Graaff (1) and Lane (3) to give Simonstown a one point lead on forty three minutes.  However the defending champions upped their attack with Edel McGrane marshalling midfield and Stacy Grimes running at the Simonstown defence.  On ten minutes remaining Seneschalstown had put five between the sides. With Harris and Ailbhe McHugh knocking over points to keep Simonstown in contention the excitement intensified when Kelsey Nesbitt found space in the Seneschalstown defence to get through for a goal in the final minutes. A single point separated the teams. Simonstown had possession and an opportunity to level but were overturned by the staunch Seneschalstown defence.  Referee Paul Mooney blew the final whistle to give Seneschalstown their first victory of the campaign.  Simonstown will have to look to their next match against Boardsmill for their first win in the Coca-Cola Senior Championship.

Best for Simonstown were Kelly Harris, Eleanor Lane, Niamh Lister and Aisling Cassidy.

Simonstown Ladies:  Nicole Byrne,  Karen Foran, Niamh Sheridan, Shona Lister,  Eve Wardick,  Katie Bellew, Niamh Cassidy,   Niamh Lister, Aisling Cassidy, Kelly Harris (0.06  5F), Regina Hand (0.01), Ailbhe McHugh (0.01), Eleanor Lane (0.08  3F), Kelsey Nesbitt (1.00), Naoise DeGraaff (1.01) . Subs:  Niamh Hand for Karen Foran (48'), Rachel Gardiner for Eleanor Lane (55'), Jane Smith, Pauline Flanagan, Mollie Byrne, Lauren Kearney, Aisling Sheridan, Grainne Harrington, Emma Cassidy

Seneschalstown 3-15 Simonstown Gaels 2-17

On a glorious warm evening in Slane the players of Seneschalstown and Simonstown served up a fantastic game of football in front of a good crowd.  From the first minute the game exploded at a furious pace with Simonstown getting off to a perfect start from the throw in, moving the ball at speed they cut through Seneschalstown defence to score a fantastic goal and followed this up from the kick out with an excellent point. 1-1 to 0-0 after only 2 minutes on the clock.
The Furze Girls refused to panic but realized they were in for a tough night and slowly regained their composure. Róisín Commons settled nerves and kicked a fine point in the 5th minute. From the kick out again Seneschalstown won possession and bearing down on goal Róisín hit the back of the net with a fantastic goal to bring the Furze Girls right back into the game.  Simonstown responded with two fine points with Kelsey Nesbitt being a constant treat. Louise Coyle chipped in with a lovely point in the 17th minute. It was end to end football despite the very warm conditions and Simonstown nudged ahead with a well worked score in the 19th minute. Stacey Grimes showing great maturity popped over a free to keep the Furze Girls in touch and Louise Coyle again the provider to bring the side's level 1-04 to 1-04 after 21 minutes.  Louise again nudged Seneschalstown in front with a fine point after great work from the midfield partnership of Edel McGrane and Siobhan Sheridan.  Young Kiah Geraghty scored an excellent point to push the Furze Girls 2 points ahead before Simonstown replied with another fine point. Both sets of supporters were being treated to a smashing game. Louise Coyle followed this up with another point with Simonstown staying in touch all the time before a decisive moment towards the end of the 1st half when Seneschalstown began to dominate. Amy Gilsenan showed great determination and strength to score the Furze 2nd goal just before half time.  Seneschalstown finished the half the stronger, unluckily hitting the post twice when going for points before Stacy Grimes scored a free to go into half time on a score line Seneschalstown 2-08 Simonstown Gaels 1-07.

The second half began in the same manner with Simonstown racing out of the blocks faster scoring 2 unanswered points before Louise Coyle opened Seneschalstown's account with a beautiful point after 6 minutes. Simonstown began to show great fighting spirit and dominated the exchanges over the next 5 minutes with 4 more points. The Seneschalstown rearguard of Lisa Mullen, Aishling Taaffe, Mena Sheridan and Orla McMahon were under immense pressure but were up to the task.  The Half back line of Natasha Mullen, Orla Sheridan and Adele Carolan were making vital interceptions and blocks against a now rampant Simonstown. Róisín Commons again settled nerves with a wonderful point and again a rampant Coyle scored another point after a fantastic pass from Kiah Geraghty found Coyle in space and indeed it could have been a goal just as easily.  The score line after 20 minutes read Seneschalstown 2-12 Simonstown 1-14 and it could not have been much closer.  With 10 minutes left on the clock a superb move involving substitute Aoife Lenehan and Stacy Grimes found Amy Gilsenan and showing wonderful predatory instincts again she found the net at a crucial stage in the match.  Aoife Lenehan chipped in with a vital point with 8 minutes left, giving the Furze Girls a little breathing space with 5 points between the teams.  Simonstown responded magnificently again with 2 unanswered points before Stacy Grimes again popped over a lovely point to leave 4 between these two sides whom were showing great heart and fitness on such a hot evening.  Róisín Commons made it 5 points clear with 2 minutes to go but Simonstown's Ladies refused to give up and tagged on a point before a fantastic goal on 60 minutes which was buried to the corner of Lisa Mullen's net left the minimum between them again!  3-15 to 2-17 the score line read and as Simonstown surged forward looking for the equalizer a wonderful interception by Mena Sheridan snuffed out that final attack.  Credit must go to both teams on a wonderful performance in tough hot conditions. The girls from the banks of the Boyne are up and running in this 2015 Coca Cola Meath Senior Ladies Championship. Baile Sencaill Abú!  The defence of their title begins…..

Seneschalstown - Lisa Mullen, Aishling Taaffe, Philomena Sheridan, Orla McMahon, Natasha Mullen, Orla Sheridan, Adele Carolan, Edel McGrane, Siobhan Sheridan, Stacy Grimes (0-3), Roisin Commons 1-3 , Kiah Geraghty 0-1, Amy Gilsenan 2-0, Louise Coyle 0-7, Siabhra Reilly. Subs: Aoife Lenehan (0-1) for Reilly, Ruth Commons for Carolan.

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