Seneschalstown 3-10 Simonstown Gaels 1-09

Going into this game on Friday evening against Simonstown, Seneschalstown knew that they needed to win to keep the pressure on table toppers Oldcastle which would also enhance their grip on a potential home semi-final spot. They were also looking to make it two home victories in less than 5 days following Tuesday evenings' victory over Boardsmill.

Early on, and indeed for much of the first half it was the visitors who were in control of the game, not letting Seneschalstown gain easy possession from their own kick outs and when they did, the home side were finding it difficult to convert many of their scoring opportunities.

Simonstown opened the scoring inside the opening minute but Kiah Geraghty had Seneschalstown level almost instantly with a well taken point from 25 metres out. On 3 minutes, Simonstown had the ball in the Seneschalstown net. After a diagonal ball into the square, the full forward showed great strength to hold off Edel McGrane, and despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Lisa Mullen the shot squirmed into the net. The advantage was four points shortly afterwards thanks to another visitors point from play. Kiah Geraghty was certainly doing her best to drag Seneschalstown back into the game early on and she kicked her second point of the game after 5 minutes.

In the next attack, Amy Gilsenan punted over from 30 metres out after some good play involving full forward Louise Coyle. However, Seneschalstown would not score for another 21 minutes as Simonstown stretched their lead out to 5 with 3 points in that period. Both team will have been disappointed with this spell in the game as poor shooting was prominent which led to many wides and shots being left short into the hands of the goalkeepers at each end. Fiona O'Rourke ended Seneschalstown's barren spell with a point after a strong run, and the goal was all that separated the teams at half time as Louise Coyle fired over an injury time point, leaving the score 1-05 0-05 in favour of the Navan side at the switch of ends.

The home side would have been hoping for a quick start to the second half, and that is what they certainly got. Ruth Commons saw her goal attempt flash wide of the post, however as she was shooting the defender pushed her to the ground and the referee duly awarded a penalty. Wing back Stacey Grimes converted the spot kick confidently to the backdrop of the new pitch construction.

All of a sudden, the momentum was now with the Seneschalstown girls, and this was shown by their strong second half performance. Kiah Geraghty put over her third point of the evening after the forwards showed some good movement. Fiona O'Rourke was putting in another hard working display and her efforts were rewarded with another point from the right of the posts on 36 minutes. Two minutes later Simonstown opened their second half account, but they were unable to string many successful attacks together, which was mainly due to some excellent blocking and tackling from the full back line in particular.

Then Seneschalstown came up with a key score in determining the outcome of the game. After winning a ball high up the pitch, Ruth Commons fed Louise Coyle and after showing some good ball control, she finished the ball low to the net, with some kind help from the inside of the post. An 8 minute scoreless spell followed before the visitors kicked another point. Kiah Geraghty was in excellent form in front of the posts, as she kicked two of Seneschalstown's next three points in a 2 minute period.

The other point was a free from Stacey Grimes. Simonstown did put over 2 more points, but Seneschalstown would finish on a positive note. After forcing a turnover on the 45, Seneschalstown played a quick free to Ruth Commons. Commons carried forward before picking out Amy Gilsenan across the square who turned and shot first time into the roof of the Simonstown net. It ensured the home side of victory who now play the waiting game to see where they will finish in the final table.

Seneschalstown: Lisa Mullen, Orla McMahon, Edel McGrane, Ailbhe Rooney, Seanaidh Hickey, Natasha Mullen, Stacey Grimes (1-01, 1-00 pen, 0-01 free), Mena Sheridan, Róisín Commons, Kiah Geraghty (0-05), Amy Gilsenan (1-01), Fiona O'Rourke (0-02), Aisling Taaffe, Louise Coyle (1-01), Ruth Commons. Sub: Lizzy Doran for Rooney

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