Simonstown ladies storm to debut SFC title
Simonstown Gaels made a winning debut in the Meath Ladies SFC final this evening at Ashbourne when they got the better of Seneschalstown by 6-13 to 0-12.
The goals were crucial in this victory and they arrived three in each half, but it wasn't just the ability of the NEW champions to find the net that secured the title, it was a composed and competent team performance that sealed a thoroughly merited victory.
There was a time more than 20 years ago, maybe even 25 years or more, when the mantra would have been 'give Jackie Shiels the ball and she will win the game' - this would have been when Jackie was a pupil in St Oliver Plunkett's NS and featuring regularly for the school in Cumann na mBunscol finals- for the girls and the boys.
Well, this evening in Ashbourne Jackie Shiels produced a five-star performance as she returned to the top table in Meath Ladies club football and brought with her a wealth of experience from playing rugby at a high level at both club level and international.
"People were saying to me during the week that I wouldn't be nervous as I have so much experience, but I was nervous," she told the Meath Chronicle.
And that experience was evident on a number of occasions when she had both the confidence and the ability to hold on to possession and wait until she found the pass she wanted.
It broke the Seneschalstown spirit and resolve and this game was over a long time before the final whistle.
It was a long time coming as referee Paul Mooney, who had a good game despite some sideline Seneschalstown moaning, played about six minutes of added time.
It only added to the Seneschalstown heartbreak and disappointment, but many of the Seneschalstown players have been around for long enough to recognise quality when they see it - once the final whistle sounded the Yellow Furze women were quick to congratulate the NEW champions who will now go on to represent Meath in the Leinster Club SFC next Saturday against Dublin opposition.
Back to Jackie Shiels - she was recognised for her contribution with the player-of-the-match award and it was deserved although Simonstown had plenty of contenders for that accolade.
Simonstown were ahead by 3-4 to 0-9 at the interval with the goals arriving from Jackie Shiels, Ailbhe McHugh and Kelsey Nesbitt.
Three second-half goals sealed the deal with Kelly Harris, Nesbitt and Tara Berigan in that added time all finding the net.
The party is probably continuing in the Simonstown clubhouse at the moment, but according to manager Ronan Carley the team will be back preparing for a Leinster debut on Monday - that's the theory anyway, reality might be different.