Last four places up for grabs in LGFA championships

LGFA

The Meath LGFA football championships have reached the knockout stages and next weekend will see the quarter-finals of the SFc and IFC down for decision with a couple of really intriguing ties.

Defending champions Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels and their predecessors Dunboyne have already secured places in the last four of the SFC and now the race is on to join them.

SFC

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Na Fianna: Donaghmore/Ashbourne have progressed to the quarter-finals off the back of good wins against Skryne and Seneschalstown in the group stages.

The win against Seneschalstown was a real championship encounter and they came good in the end to win by three points thanks to a late, late Eabha Magee goal.

There were some notable performances from recognised stars with Máire O’Shaughnessy doing Trojan work in midfield and defence, Katie Twomey and Ciara Doherty were a constant threat, Ciara Lawlor mopped up many an attack and Riana Daly didn’t put a foot wrong at centre back, brilliantly moving the ball at pace from defence to attack.

Na Fianna have gone from strength to strength since being promoted from the IFC last year and the Leinster Club champions are keen to add to their title haul negotiating their way into a quarter-final at first attempt back in the senior grade.

While relying on experienced players such as Aedin Slattery, they are sure to miss Shauna Ennis who is out with a long-term injury, but players such as Kerrie Cole and Sophia Payne are taking up the mantle as evidenced by securing the Jacksie Kiernan Shield before the championship started.

Both teams fancy their chances of progressing to the semi-final to face the county champions Dunshaughlin Royals Gaels the following week.

Navan O’Mahonys v Seneschalstown: Navan O’Mahonys have steadily built a team that are capable of getting to a final and there is a number of seriously good players scoring freely in their ranks.

Megan Collins seems to have shaken off the injuries she had during the year and is linking up well with Ailbhe Leahy, Olivia Callan and Orlaith Mallon.

Victories over Na Fianna and Oldcastle have prepared them well for the quarter final and they will have to be on their best to overcome this Seneschalstown team.

Seneschalstown beat Skryne away in the first round of the group stage and were quickly brought down to earth in the second round when comprehensively beaten by St Peter's Dunboyne.

In round three they pushed Donaghmore/Ashbourne all the way to the wire and were leading by a point going into added time when they were undone by a brilliant goal and conceded a point straight from the kickout to lose the game by three.

That defeat put them third in the group and an away quarter-final. Tara Traynor, Seanaidh Hickey and Orla Finnegan have showed well in games this year but could have done without losing the experienced Orla Garry to a bad injury last time out.

IFC

St Michael's v Walterstown: St Michael's finished the group stage with a good win away to Ratoath and built on their 3-9 to 1-11 victory over St Colmcille's. County stars Marion Farrelly and Seona Lynch will be the main threat to a Walterstown team who have progressed nicely since winning the Junior A last year and have made the quarter-finals thanks to a good win against a seasoned Summerhill side.

Walterstown’s inspirational captain from last year’s epic run, Mollie Brown is a notable absentee but there are plenty of young and eager players on this team.

Isabel O’Connor is doing super work at midfield, Ella Farrelly, Sarah Jane Lyons, Jennifer Lynch and Rosie O’Neill were all on the Meath under-20 Leinster winning team this year and will go into this game full of confidence.

St Ultan's v Ratoath: St Ultan's are flying at the moment and look like a team that can get back into the Senior ranks. They have a tricky assignment against Ratoath but will fear no one.

They started their group with a win over Summerhill and then met eventual group winners Dee Rangers in the second round but were turned over.

They made amends in the third round by beating Walterstown by 3 points and guaranteeing a home quarter final. Players such as Orlaith O’Reilly, Nikki Ennis and Rachel Casserly are expected to figure prominently for St Ultan's.

Ratoath had a one point win over St Colmcille's, before they were outplayed by Simonstown and St Michael's had too much firepower up front in the end.

Ratoath played well last time out and were level at half time against St Michaels but will need all the luck against the slick St Ultan's side.

JFC

St Patrick's v Boardsmill: St Patrick's have been knocking on the door and have made steady progress over the last few years. A Masita Cup win last year showed how good they could be overcoming a strong Ratoath team.

This year they have started well with a win over Moylagh and then drawing with favourites Trim in the second round. That match was down to the wire with Trim ahead by two into added time until Emma White and her team mates worked the ball up the pitch twice to earn the draw.

The third round against Moynalvey was a tough encounter as Moynalvey were fighting to stay out of relegation play-off territory. They won by six points but Trim had topped the group on points difference securing a home semi-final place and St Patrick's were bound for the quarter finals.

Clann na nGael v Moylagh: Clann na nGael started their campaign with a solid win over Boardsmill, 2-17 to 2-9, and followed that up with a one point win away to the Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels 2nd team.

They then hosted St Peter's Dunboyne who went on a scoring spree finishing up 14 point winners.

Clann na nGael will be hoping for a bounce back and maybe take inspiration from their win in the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta Junior Football Championship at Cill na Martra in June. Player to watch - Ali Sherlock.

Moylagh qualified for the quarter final after winning by a point against last year’s beaten finalists Moynalvey. That win was sandwiched between two losses in the first and third rounds to St Patrick's and Trim respectively.

This championship is one of the hardest to win and they will need to be on top form in Athboy on Saturday.