Ladies football: Teams looking to secure final positions

There's two semi-finals down for decision in the Ladies Junior A FC at the weekend. Here Meath LGFA PRO Mark Byrne profiles the big games.

Clann Na nGael v Walterstown in Simonstown on 30/9/23 at 5PM Ref: Tom Lorton

Simonstown are hosting the finals this year and this semi final will give one team valuable familiarity with the pitch as they try to reach the final.

Clann na nGael topped their group and were full value for it as they had plenty to spare in all three games. The forward line has been in tremendous form racking up 15 goals and 43 points in the three group games.

Championship football has a habit of bringing out the best in teams so they will not take Walterstown lightly despite their comfortable route to this semi final.

Walterstown were beaten in the Masita Cup in August and seemed to have learned from that experience as they came up against a more experienced side. They rolled over both Dunshaughlin and Dunboynes second teams in the group stages and were comfortable against Moylagh in the quarter final.

They were ruthless in those games but a sterner test is coming and Lisa O'Neill, Mollie Browne and Ella Farrelly will have to be in top form on Saturday. Tom Lorton throws in the ball in Simonstown at 5.00PM

St Patrick's v Moynalvey in Ashbourne on 30/9/23 at 2:30PM Ref: Ian Dowdall

Moynalvey comprehensively disposed of the challenge from Dunsany and Moylagh only to lose their final round game to Clann Na nGael.

Their quarter final against Royal Gaels second team was a solid performance and they ran out comfortable 5 point winners having led the whole game.

Excellent performances by Cheyenne O'Brien, Olivia O'Halloran, Roisin and Clodagh Murphy and Aoibheann Corcoran in goal ensured their semi final place. Last years beaten finalists looked the part with some fast flowing football.

St Patricks had wins against both St Peters Dunboyne's and Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 2nd teams before outplaying Walterstown on their own patch to top the group unbeaten. They have had a good season so far, winning the Masita 3 Cup in August which was good preparation for championship.

They were very good in the final that day aginst a resilient Ratoath team and their performance against Walterstown was a real team effort with a good spread of scorers. Emma White, Jade Geraghty, Katie Dowling and Becky Harney have all contributed a great effort to the campaign so far.

The game is on Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm in Ashbourne so is sure to draw a big attendance. Ian Dowdall takes charge of this semi final.