Simonstown   4-20  
Donaghmore Ashbourne 3-10
                        
On a lovely summer evening these two great teams served up an incredible game of fast, skillful and brilliant football that was a huge credit to the game in Meath. As the score line suggests, everyone in attendance was provided with great entertainment on the night.

The girls in green were quick out of the blocks and had notched up 1-2 in the opening minutes of the game. Things did not look good for the Navan side and with some players being hit hard with illness and injury they had to dig deep to drag themselves in to the game. There were several breaks in play due to accidental collisions and knocks on both sides but this did not take from the quality of play as both teams kept the scoreboard ticking over. Simonstown's county captain Niamh Donnelly was immense and kicked an array of top class scores in the first half, 7 points in total. Captain Lauryn Grier scored an incredible goal and 2 points. A brilliant goal from the speedy Tara Berigan and 2 points from Niamh Hand who moved from midfield to full forward  meant that the Navan girls led by 7 points at half time, despite having been 5 points down after only six minutes.  The scoring from the defending champions came as a result of an outstanding work rate from their defence who time and time again broke up the oppositions attacks. Niamh Cassidy and Mollie Byrne dominated at midfield providing ball for their forwards to convert into scores.

Half Time score     Simonstown 2-11   Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-4

The second half saw a determined Donaghmore Ashbourne come out fighting and very quickly they had narrowed the gap to 2 points.  Simonstown made some positional moves and reintroduced Berigan who had to leave the field injured in the first half. These changes saw Simonstown kick into gear creating more space up front and the scores followed.  They opened up a 6 point lead. The girls in sky blue were now cutting through the Ashbourne defence and kicking some fine scores - Sinead Mooney with a great left footed effort, Hand, Grier, Donnelly and Berigan all adding to their tally.    A brilliant move that started in the Simonstown full back line resulted in Berigan being hauled down for a penalty which Captain Grier duly buried in the corner of the net despite the best efforts of County keeper Judy Bobbett.  The North Navan Girls were now in control and Berigan added another 1-1 in the final minutes after some great defending by Lauren Kearney and Laura Barrett set up Meabh Hanrahan who gave a sublime pass off to Berigan.

The final whistle brought contrasting emotions to both teams, but in truth football was the real winner. These girls have had some great battles in the past, and through it all they have formed great friendships and respect for each other which was highlighted by a wonderful speech by Ashbourne Captain Lauren McClean post presentation which made everyone appreciate how lucky they were to be involved on such occasions.

Simonstown:  Michelle Smyth, Matilda Ryan, Laura Barrett, Leanne Harris, Aoife Farrell, Lauren Kearney, Meabh Hanrahan, Niamh Cassidy, Niamh Hand (0-04), Mollie Byrne, Niamh Donnelly (0-08), Tara Berigan (2-02), Sinead Mooney (0-02),  Amy Farrell, Lauryn Grier (C) (2-04). Subs: Megan Gorman, Alannagh Lyons, Sinead Rennicks, Siobhan Shalvey, Laura McCabe, Emma Cassidy

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