Simonstown  8-10      
Donaghamore-Ashbourne  1-8                                 

Simonstown retained their division 1 champion's title at U15 level thanks to a well merited  victory over Donaghamore-Ashbourne in the final of this season's competition. Skryne was the venue on bright afternoon for another high calibre performance from the Navan outfit who have improved with every match as the season progressed managing to peak for the final.When these two sides met earlier in the competition they had been closely matched with the game ending in a draw thus leading to expectations of another close encounter and although the score line may indicate different this was another very competitive match throughout.

Simonstown started brightly assisted by the breeze and by the fourth minute had raced into a three point lead with scores from Lauryn Grier, Niamh Hand and Sinead Mooney. Don-Ash soon got themselves back on level terms with a well taken goal but this was as good as it was to get for the South Meath side as they were to spend a lot of the remainder of the first half trying to contain the blues forwards . In the ninth minute Aoife Farrell almost restored the lead when her shot for a point came back off a post with Mooney's follow up effort being deflected wide. The resulting "45" was taken by Grier who played a one two with Tara Berigan before advancing to rifle a low shot to the net. A response was almost immediate with a gilt edge goal opportunity being missed and fullback Laura Barrett having to make great block on a second chance but a pointed free did follow soon after. Further points were traded with Mollie Byrne scoring for the blues. With Don-Ash creating opportunities in front of goal another goal chance came their way this time the effort coming off the crossbar and keeper Michelle Smyth superbly saving the follow up. Simonstown were gradually gaining the upper hand with Byrne and Berigan adding points before a speculative effort from Grier produced a second goal. Smyth then had another fine save before points from Berigan and Mooney resulted in a half time score line of  2-8 to 1-2.

Forced to throw caution to the wind Don-Ash pushed for an early second half goal to revive their chances but it was at the other end the scores came, firstly a Donnelly point and then a great move when Emma Cassidy collected a kick out passed to Byrne who found Grier in front of goal and she made no mistake when completing her hat trick. Two Don-Ash points followed either side of an Emma Cassidy score before Byrne was to rattle the net. The girls in green to their credit refused to give in and rallied with two more points but then Amy Farrell after being set up by Donnelly added goal number five for Simonstown. With ten minutes remaining midfielder Niamh Cassidy had a surging run through the middle before shooting powerfully towards goal the ball hit the crossbar but the same player gathered the rebound and calmly finished to the net. Again Don-Ash came back with a point and but for two Leanne Harris clearances from in front of her goals they could have had more. Late goals from Berigan and Donnelly put the icing on the cake in what was an all round great team performance from the Simonstown girls who showed a wonderful appetite and tremendous ability throughout the pitch.

A very sporting match that was a credit to both teams was followed by the presentation of the cup by long time enthusiast and hard working officer Ollie Bowe, to joint captains Laura Barrett and Niamh Donnelly.

Simonstown:  M Symth, S Shalvey, L Barrett, L Harris, L Kearney, E Cassidy (0-1), M Hanrahan, N Hand (0-1), N Cassidy (1-0), Aoife Farrell, N Donnelly (1-1), S Mooney (0-2), L Grier (3-1), T Berigan (1-2), M Byrne (1-2), Amy Farrell (1-0), M Ryan, M Gorman, S Rennicks and A Lyons.

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