Surprise final draw
A new force in ladies football came to the fore at Walterstown on Saturday, but Donaghmore / Ashbourne"s magnificent effort fell just short as they were held to a draw by Seneschalstown in the Ladies FL Div 1 final. Seneschalstown have been the leading lights in ladies football in the Royal County for many years with St Ultan"s and Blackhall Gaels intermittently threatening their dominance. However, the Yellow Furze side encountered a different challenge in Donaghmore / Ashbourne and very nearly came unstuck against Mark Power"s side, but they survived with an injury-time free from Orla Sheridan. 'It was a very tough game considering we had beaten them well earlier in the league, but we knew it wouldn"t be easy because they beat us last year and they are a very good team. I think we just about deserved the draw,' Seneschalstown"s Stephen Dillon told the Meath Chronicle. 'The girls showed good character to battle back, but that is the only positive we can take from the game. We conceded a soft goal, but still managed to get the draw. 'It looked like it was going against us for a while, but we managed to recover. We have had a good league, but it was a tough schedule. We are trying to get ready for the championship and the league was really well run this year,' he added. For long periods of the game, and especially as the second-half ticked away, it seemed as if Seneschalstown would clinch another title, but then Louise Byrne was deceived by Ailish Moran"s short point attempt and the ball dropped to the net. That put Donaghmore / Ashbourne into a 3-8 to 2-9 lead with five minutes remaining. Seneschalstown were rocked, but like true champions they refused to panic. They regained their composure, were patient in their build-up and were rewarded with a superb point from Roisin Nulty and the late equaliser from Orla Sheridan. It was a thrilling game. Seneschalstown utilised the strong spine of the team and supplemented their key players with excellent performances from Debbie Dillon, Roisin Nulty and Aonhaid McAdam. The direct ball into Grainne Nulty caused Donaghmore / Ashbourne problems, but Aine Ni Mealoid played well on the county star and it was that platform of blanket defence that helped Donaghmore / Ashbourne substantially. They moved the ball at pace and maintained possession. Hayley Lawton, Catriona O"Shaughnessy and Mary Kate Benville were exceptional and epitomised the spirit and excellence of Donaghmore / Ashbourne. 'It was a fantastic game and I"m absolutely delighted with the performance of our girls. Seneschalstown are a very good side and everybody knows that, but our girls had the belief today and they proved out there that they are good enough,' Donaghmore / Ashbourne manager Mark Power told the Meath Chronicle. 'The girls showed great spirit, but we are not afraid of anybody. We have beaten everybody, including Seneschalstown last year. We knew what to expect and we drew up a plan and the girls stuck to it well. 'We can take great encouragement from the result and all the girls will have learned something that they can take into the replay,' he added. After just 13 seconds it appeared as if Seneschalstown would coast to another title when Orla Sheridan netted, but Donaghmore / Ashbourne were determined there would not be a repeat of the 2-11 to 9-8 drubbing they suffered earlier in the league. Lizzy Lynch settled the underdogs nerves, but by the end of the first-quarter Seneschalstown were firmly in the driving seat as points from Eimear O"Carroll (two) and Roisin Nulty were followed by a superb goal from Grainne Nulty for a 2-3 to 0-2 lead. Lawton and Roisin Nulty traded scores before a Donaghmore / Ashbourne revival indicated that there was still plenty of life left in the final. Points from O"Shaughnessy and Lynch were followed by a brilliant goal from O"Shaughnessy. The same player then added a point to make it 1-6 to 2-4. Seneschalstown found their feet again and closed out the half with points from O"Carroll and Orla Sheridan making it 2-6 to 1-6 at the break. Both sides struggled to break down determined defences after the resumption. Grainne Nulty blocked Alison Fitzgerald"s clearance which rebounded off the post before nine barren minutes ended with Grainne Nulty stretching Seneschalstown"s lead. Eva McNelis responded for Donaghmore / Ashbourne, but when O"Carroll and the excellent Louise McKeever made it 2-9 to 1-8 at the end of the third-quarter it appeared as if Seneschalstown had done enough. However, appearances can be deceptive. Aisling Doherty produced a brilliant finish to close the deficit to a point. Orla Sheridan was denied a goal by a great save from Fitzgerald before Moran"s fortunate goal set up the tense finish which Seneschalstown rescued to force a replay. Seneschalstown - L Byrne; E Byrne, D O"Carroll, A McAdam; D Dillon, L McKeever (0-1), A Carolan; Mary Sheridan, S Sheridan; E O"Carroll (0-4, two frees), Mena Sheridan (0-2, frees), R Nulty (0-3); E Harris, G Nulty (1-1), O Sheridan (1-0). Subs - A Sheridan for Harris, H Bowens for D O"Carroll, G McGowan for E Byrne Donaghmore/Ashbourne - A Fitzgerald; S Murtagh, A Ni Mealoid, R Williams; G Field, A O"Rourke, A Reidy; M K Benville, E McNelis (0-1); C O"Shaughnessy (1-3, two frees), J Moran, L Lynch (0-2); H Lawton (0-2), M O"Shaughnessy, A Moran (1-0). Subs - A Doherty (1-0) for Lynch, A Leahy for Moran. Referee - Gerry O"Brien (Wolfe Tones).