Na Fianna 2-11
Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-8

Na Fianna Ladies Footballers took a vital step in retaining their Division 1 League status with a deserved, if somewhat flattering, victory over Donaghmore/Ashbourne in Ashbourne on Tuesday evening. This was a game between two evenly matched teams, with each having sustained periods of dominance. The difference in the end was the Na Fianna girls secured vital scores when on top, something the home side failed to do.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne were the dominant team in the opening stages and has three point on the board within the first 10 minutes, and were it not for some excellent defending by the Na Fianna backs they would have been much further behind. Na Fianna eventually got some decent possession around the middle of the field which enabled Rebecca Smullen, Deirdre Flynn and Marie Healy to get badly needed points. After 20 minutes of play both teams were level but a critical series of event had a significant bearing on the outcome. The home side had a goal disallowed for a square infringement, while moments later Na Fianna's Aisling Ennis followed through on a crossbar rebound to put the ball in the Donaghmoe/Ashbourne net. This gave the South Meath girls the momentum they needed and they followed up with further points from Ennis and Smullen to leave the half time score Na Fianna 1-7 to Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-4.

The home side got the perfect start with a goal from the penalty spot in the opening minutes of the second half. Both teams then traded points before Na Fianna sealed the matter with a goal which was assisted over the line by both Aisling Ennis and Christine Boggan.

Following a difficult League campaign in which wins were hard to come by, this is a timely boost for the Na Fianna girls as they prepare for their Senior Championship campaign.

Team: Niamh Geraghty; Lorraine Boggan; Mandy Dixon; Ann Healy; Sarah Jane Farley; Claire Coffey; Caroline Walsh; Shauna Ennis; Hannah Cullen; Meabh Downey; Deirdre Flynn (0-3); Marie Healy (0-3); Siobhan Kirby; Rebecca Smullen (0-3); Aisling Ennis (1-2). Subs (both used) Christine Boggan (1-0); Emma Coffey. Tweet

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