Leinster crown for Dunboyne women

Dunboyne won the Ladies Leinster IFC title in fine style this evening at Kinnegad when they negotiated a strong challenge from Dublin side St Maur's in what was a thrilling decider.

First-half goals from Emma Duggan and Fiona O'Neill helped Dunboyne into a deserved 2-5 to 0-7 interval lead.

Dunboyne dictated for long periods in the opening half and add some well-talken points from Sinead Hackett and Julie Kavanagh while Aoife Thompson sent over three frees.

That was a good return for Dunboyne against the wind, but St Maur's displayed admirable battling qualities and stayed in contention with a brace of points apiece from Laura Carthy, Olivia Leonard, Naoimi Clare (frees) and a Niamh Carthy free following a well-contested opening half.

St Maur's exerted a lot of early second-half pressure and added a Niamh Carthy point before Dunboyne were fortunate to get a vital third goal when Fiona O'Neill's lofted centre dropped under the crossbar in the swirling wind.

Vikki Wall added a point to extend the lead, but the Rush team battled back into contention with a Laura Carthy goal. Points from Laura and Niamh Carthy followed to make it a two-point game and the gap remained after Aoife Thompson and Megan Foley traded points to leave it 3-7 to 1-11 at the three – quarter stage.

Poor finishing by St Maur's proved costly in the closing stages and they missed three easy-looking frees while Dunboyne finished strong with crucial points from Aoife Thompson (two), Emma Duggan, Sinead Hackett and Fiona O'Neill.