Feile glory for St Ultan's
The girls from St Ultan's LGFC were crowned champions after defeating Dublin's St Jude's in a thrilling Division 9 Shield Final at Feile Peile na nOg in Sligo yesterday.
The 20-strong u14 panel had seen off the challenge of Roscommon club, Four Roads GAA in the semi-final earlier that morning before carrying their form and confidence into the final at Kent Park where they won 2-0 to 1-2. First half goals by Cayla Becton and Ally Kavanagh (who scored a staggering 10-7 over the weekend) as well as a vital penatly save from Rachel Ball were enough to keep the Ultan's girls in front at the break and led to a nervewracking second half where just one St Jude's point left a single score between the two sides and the game on a knife egde.
There was jubilant scenes at the full-time whistle for the players, mentors and the travelling Meath support whose numbers were swelled by the members of the St Ultan's team's host club, Sligo's Coolera Strandhill GFC and the some of girls' host families.
St Ultan's LGFC played five matches to reach the final before seeing off the challenge of a very good St Jude's side and returning home to a tremendous reception to Bohermeen on Sunday evening. The team was mentored by Roslaeen Heary, Paul Kavanagh, Sam Yore and Leonie Lynch.
WATCH: The final whistle goes in Kent Park as St Ultan's beat St Jude's of Dublin by a single point.
"We're so proud of the girls, we couldn't have asked any more of them," said team mentor Rosaleen Heary. "They gave their all the whole weekend. It was a fantastic weekend that the girls and their families will always remember."
Meath County Board congratulated the St Ultan's girls and their mentors on their victory and invited them to be presented to the crowd at half-time during tomorrow night's (Tuesday) u20 Championship game between Meath and Offaly at Pairc Tailteann (throw-in 7.30pm)
Also representing Meath at this year's Connacht-hosted Feile were the girls from Donaghmore Ashbourne who just came up short against Knockaleny and St Patrick's Stamullen who also lost at the quarter-final stage in what was a very close encounter against Westport.
Four boys team's also made the journey west on Friday and enjoyed a superb weekend representing the Royal County with distinction.
St Peter's Dunboyne made it all the way to their division final only to meet a very strong side in Offaly's Kilcormac losing 0-6 to 4-3.
Bective Cannistown appearing in their first ever Feile fell at their Shield qtr-final stage to Devenish St Mary's from Fermanagh.
Senschelstown got off to a flying start in their campaign winning their opening two games but were sadly beaten by the eventual Division 2 Cup winners, Four Masters from Donegal in the semi-final.
The Féile journey ended at the semi-final stage for Kilmainhamwood who lost out to Charlestown Sarfields from Mayo.
Well done to all the Meath teams who participiated in a brilliant Feile and their supporters who travelled to the west with them.
VIDEO St Patrick's welcomed by Caherlistrane LGFC
VIDEO from Donaghmore Ashbourne at Feile
St Patrick's Stamullen.
The Donaghmore Ashbourne squad
St Ultan's LGFC
Kilmainhamwood GFC who made it to the semi-finals at the Fèile. Hosted by St.Croan's of Roscommon a fantastic weekend of football and friendship. The last picture includes Brian Stafford who travelled over to see his nephew Rian Stafford play with the team
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We'd love to add more pics from last weekend's Feile Peil na nOg to this page if the clubs who tavelled across to the West can can send us on some!