Seneschalstown are the undisputed kingpins of Meath Ladies football following their thoroughly deserved final success over Summerhill and judging by their performances this year that appears to be a title they'll hold on to for many years to come. Twelve months ago Seneschalstown ladies walked off the Pairc Tailteann sod, bitterly disappointed after suffering a 5-13 to 2-15 SFC final defeat at the hands of Dunsany. Their first time to contest the blue riband event of the Meath ladies GAA calendar had ended in disaster. In hindsight, though, the experience obviously stood to them as after qualifying for this year's final they were never going to make the same mistakes twice. Seneschalstown didn't simply beat Summerhill in the final . . . they annihilated them. 5-10 to 2-6 was the end scoreline at Dunsany in late September. With county players such as Patricia, Niamh and Roisin McNeilis and Darina Shaw amongst their ranks, few could have predicted that Summerhill, who last won the senior title in '98, would have been such a soft touch in the decider. But Seneschalstown, spearheaded by their county players, Deborah Mangan, the O'Carroll sisters, Louise McKeever, Fiona Mahon, Mary Sheridan and Grainne Nulty, produced a sensational display and simply overwhelmed their opponents. The secret to the winner's success was team-work. From one to fifteen, and the two subs that were introduced, everyone played their part in this historic win. The heroic defending of Mary Sheridan, Deborah Mangan, Geraldine Gordon and Orla Sheridan was matched up front with the brilliant scoretaking of Louise McKeever, whose ball winning ability also created numerous chances for her colleagues, Eimear O'Carroll and Edel Carolan. Catherine Mulvaney played as a sort of third midfield to assist Fiona Mahon and Dearbhla O'Carroll quash the threat of All Star Niamh McNeilis and Marie Louise Reilly. This tactic worked a treat as the team in yellow and blue held the upperhand around the centre of the field throughout the sixty minutes. Mahon, in particular, was very influential while O'Carroll was always on hand to help out in defence and attack. Team captain Sally Ann Carolan, who was as industrious as ever at left-half-forward, was, understandably, delighted at being the first captain of a SFC winning Seneschalstown ladies team. "It was a great honour to accept the cup on behalf of so many excellent footballers," enthused Sally Ann. "The fact that it was the first time that Seneschalstown won the SFC title made it that extra bit special. "We're very lucky to have so many talented players throughout our team but a lot of hard work was put in by everyone. We knew we had the players capable of winning it but we also realised that a lot of effort had to be put in by everyone and that's what we did. Thankfully we got our reward." Sally's namesake, Edel, opened the scoring after five minutes with a point but Jenny Rispin replied immediately for the 'Hill. That was to be as close as Summerhill came, however, as on the stroke of twelve minutes Grainne Nulty put some daylight between the two teams with a well taken goal. Further points from Eimear O'Carroll and Mahon extended Seneschalstown's advantage to 1-3 to 0-1. Summerhill were trying desperately to regroup at this stage but they were left an even steeper mountain to climb when Eimear O'Carroll floated a speculative ball goalwards and Edel Carolan reacted quickest to blast to the net. The Summerhill management made a number of changes in their defence but they failed to reap the desired effect. Roisin Gogan did manage to pull a point back but the eventual winners pressed home their superiority with points from Mahon and McKeever before the centre-half forward struck for her side's third goal just on the stroke of half-time following good work from Dearbhla O'Carroll. Any small bit of hope the Summerhill team and mentors harboured during the break of overturning the 12 point deficit quickly evaporated when Eimear O'Carroll pounced for a brace of points on the resumption. Dorothy McGoldrick responded with a point but, like before, Seneschalstown bounced back in devastating fashion with a Philomena Sheridan point and McKeever's second goal. Dearbhla O'Carroll then compounded the 'Hill's misery with her team's fifth goal. A McGoldrick goal and points from Ann Marie Fagan and Grogan put some respectability on the scoreboard. Eimear O'Carroll and Edel Carolan rounded off Seneschalstown's scoring with points while Marie Louise Reilly's late goal offered little consolation to the 1998 champions. The championship success wasn't the only reason for celebration for the Seneschalstown ladies in 2000. In fact, it was their second time to receive some silverware as in May they captured the 1999 Division 1 League title with a comprehensive 6-15 to 3-5 win over Dunsany. That was a particularly sweet victory for the Seneschalstown team and mentors as it avenged last year's championship final defeat. The Yellow Furze side started well with Grainne Nulty scoring a goal and a point and they went on to build up a 1-7 to 0-2 lead. Dunsany mounted a revival on the resumption netting two goals but Seneschalstown never looked like being denied and goals from Philomena Sheridan (3) and Eimear O'Carroll (2) put the issue beyond any doubt. The Seneschalstown which contested the championship final was: G Sheridan; L Byrne, M Sheridan, G Gordon; C Mulvaney, D Mangan, O Sheridan; D O'Carroll (1-0), F Mahon (0-2); E Carolan (1-1), L McKeever (2-1), SA Carolan (0-1); E O'Carroll (0-4), G Nulty (1-0), P Sheridan (0-1). Subs - C Finnegan for Gordon, E McGrane for E Carolan. Tweet

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