Finals weren't particularly kind to Gillian Bennett on the inter-county scene during 2006, but the Seneschalstown player enjoyed a memorable success during September when she won the ladies' section of the Kick-Fada competition hosted by the Bray Emmets GAA Club in Wicklow. By Paul Clarke She was a member of the Meath team that lost to Cork by just two points in the National Football League Div. 1 final at Parnell Park in early May and there was further final disappointment when the Royal County were defeated by Laois in the Leinster Championship decider at Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow, during the summer. There was better fortune on the club front when she helped Seneschalstown, the dominant force in ladies' football in the county, to another Senior Championship title as they defeated great rivals St. Ultan's by all of 15 points in the decider at Simonstown on the second Sunday of September. Gillian lined out in her customary full-forward position in that match and ended up with a highly impressive personal tally of 1-5 to once again demonstrate just how important a player she is to both club and county. The gifted attacker is well known for her ability to find the target with consistency and anybody with any sort of knowledge of the ladies' game in the county also knows that she can kick a football a very long way off the ground. The mighty winning point she scored from a '45' in last year's Leinster Championship game against Laois is still talked about and this year there was a fabulous score from approximately 35 metres during the All-Ireland quarter-final replay against Galway at Breffni Park, Cavan. Gillian has produced many outstanding and highly significant performances in the Meath colours, but her showing in the provincial semi-final against Dublin on a blistering hot day in Ratoath during July of this year has to be regarded as extra special. Put quite simply, Meath wouldn't have won that day without her sensational scoring blitz and it's doubtful if there was a better display from a forward in the entire championship. The full-forward contributed a phenomenal 3-5 to the Royal County cause in that tremendous contest that provided the good sized attendance with the most fantastic entertainment and it was her late, late goal that earned victory in the most dramatic circumstances as Dublin were overcome for the second time in the competition following an earlier divisional success achieved at Westmanstown. The Bray Emmets Kick-Fada competition has been good to Meath players in the past, most notably the football mad Sheridans from Seneschalstown in 2003 when Gillian's club mate Mary Sheridan won the ladies' title, her father Damien took the masters section and Meath senior player Joe finished third in the men's category. That certainly represented a profitable afternoon for that particular household. Among the other Royal County ladies to achieve success in the event in the past have been Grainne Nulty and Irene Munnelly, last year. Gillian maintained the strong Meath tradition this year in a competition that is as much a test of skill with a football as it is of the ability of the player to kick it a long distance. The goal posts are approximately twice the width of normal playing posts and there is also a crossbar that must be cleared in order for a kick to be deemed successful. And it's an indication of the accuracy and strength the Seneschalstown player demonstrated in Bray that she kicked the ball all of 48 metres, between the posts and over the crossbar - and into the teeth of a strong wind at that. An effort from that range was always going to land the top prize and no other player could get near that distance, which was hardly a surprise. Gillian thoroughly enjoyed her trip to Bray, describing it as "a big day out" and adding that "it was nice to win it too." And given the prize the winners of the various categories in the Bray Emmets Kick-Fada receive for their efforts there can be no doubt that it's well worth having a go. When you put so much time and effort into your sport it's nice to get something back and that's very much the situation for the winners of this particular competition. "I got a holiday voucher worth E1,500 for winning, which was great," Gillian said with a smile as she recalled her victory in the County Wicklow town and also reflected on the memorable campaign of the Meath senior team during 2006. "It was my first time to take part in the event. I got a call from Croke Park asking me if I would participate, so I decided I would give it a go. Unfortunately, there were only five competitors in the ladies' section, which was a bit disappointing. But Irene Munnelly, who won it last year, told me it was the same situation then. I suppose the travelling is a big issue for a lot of people, especially if you live a long way from Bray. "But it was a great experience, a big day out, and I will probably give it a go again next year. I won it with a kick of 48 metres this year. I thought I had kicked only 47 metres, but they said it was 48. There was a bit of a wind which didn't help. "I was offered the use of a tee to kick off, but I declined because I am used to kicking off the ground when I'm playing games, so I decided to stick with that. But I would like to have a go with a tee just to see how it would work out. So, yes, I will probably go again next year." Gillian is a key figure in the Meath senior set-up and the star attacker was as disappointed as any other player or official this year when they lost both the National League Div. 1 and Leinster Championship finals. But the Seneschalstown player is looking ahead with enthusiasm and is very optimistic about the future for the Royal County. "It was very disappointing to lose the two finals this year because I know for certain that the talent is there to win titles," Gillian added. "I believe we are getting better all the time and there are a lot of young players there who have the vital experience of having played in under-16 and minor All-Ireland finals. "It's a big commitment being part of the county panel. We train three night a week. It's a bit like having a second job really. But that's the way it has to be if you want to be successful at this level and win things. Look at Cork. They retained their All-Ireland title this year and apart from the basic training they are probably doing a lot of work in the gym as well. The reality is that it requires a lot of effort if you want to be successful." Gillian remains optimistic that success will come the way of the Meath senior team and, talking to her, it's easy to detect the level of passion and commitment she has for the game she loves and the desire she possesses to help her county to win some silverware in the very near future. Unfortunately, that didn't happen this year because of those very disappointing league and provincial championship final defeats, while Meath later bowed out of the All-Ireland race when going under to Galway in that Breffni Park replay. By that stage they had provided some of the most outstanding entertainment of the GAA season, including a sensational comeback in the All-Ireland quarter-final drawn game against Galway at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, when they recovered from a nine-point deficit, and their efforts were certainly an outstanding advertisement for ladies' football, while the players were a credit to their clubs and their county. "Perhaps we need to believe in ourselves a little more because, as I already said, the talent is definitely there," Gillian added. "We have a lot of girls in the 20 and 21 year-old bracket, players who possess the vital experience of having played in All-Ireland finals. That has to be a good sign for the future. "I have to say that the Meath set-up is very good. The sponsorship situation could be better, but I suppose that's much the same in every county. But we certainly had everything we wanted this year. We wanted for nothing." Tweet

Most Read Stories