Boardsmill 3-5 Oldcastle 0-10 after extra time

This semi final replay was keenly awaited and all who attended in Moynalty on Monday night were treated to another enthralling contest between two fine teams.   Condition were sodden underfoot and with a steady drizzle throughout, shuddering challenges and mistakes were the order of the day. It is a testament to both teams that they asked for and were given no quarter in this thrilling contest.

Boardsmill came out on top after extra time and just about deserved their place against St Ultans in next Sundays final. That said it took a Susan Kealey goal 3 minutes from the time to finally divide the teams.

The opening half was very cagey with neither team scoring in the first 20 minutes. Boardsmill had kicked 5 wides in that period and had Eimear Murray to thank at the other end of the pitch when she prevented Johanna Byrne's rasping shot finding the back of the Boardsmill net. 

Kim Garrigan opened the scoring with a point on 20 minutes only to see Oldcastle take the lead with points from Sarah Reilly and Byrne. Caroline Quinn then doubled on a low cross from Amy Troy to find a way past Karen Cadden in the Oldcastle goals. Boardsmill led by 2 points at the half.

Oldcastle took control in the opening minutes of the second period  and leveled the scores with 2  frees from the boot of Sarah Reilly. Emma Troy replied on 40 minutes before Susan Kealey converted a close range free to give Boardsmill a 2 point lead on 44  minutes.

Back came Oldcastle with another Reilly free and a Byrne point . The north Meath outfit had introduced Elaine Plunkett and Ciara Delaney at this stage  and looked good for the victory with 9 minutes remaining. Dani O Sullivan swiveled in the D to push the Mill girls ahead on 56 minutes only for Brigetta Lynch to kick a fine equalizing point 3 minutes into injury time. 

Extra time followed, and Boardsmill introduced Raina Griffin and Paula Dorian to good effect. Laura Bagnall found the back of Cadden's net with a fine effort and Paula Dorian extended the south Meath teams lead on the stroke of half time.

The teams turned around and back came Oldcastle. Boardsmill lost a player to a yellow card after a collision with Brigetta Lynch and had to see out the game with 14 players. Claire Griffin and 2 Reilly points (1 from a free) left the minimum between the teams with 5 minutes remaining.

Mayve Murray was introduced by Boardsmill as Oldcastle pushed up looking for the equalizer and this time it was Boardsmill's turn to break quickly for a major score. Amy Troy capped a fine individual performance and  drove through the center of the Oldcastle defence to play in the unmarked Kealey who coolly finished the contest after 160 grueling minutes.  

Boardsmill were best served by Helen Regan who was imperious at midfield. She was ably supported by Cliona Murray, Amy Troy, Emma Troy, Katie Hackett and Laura Bagnall. Oldcastle were best served by Eileen Rahill and Joanna Byrne.

Boardsmill: E Murray, S Bagnall, C Murray, K Hackett, E Troy (0-1), A Guy, R Troy, H Regan, S Kealey (1-1), L Griffin,  L Bagnall (1-0), A Troy, K Garrigan (0-1), D O Sullivan (0-1), C Quinn (1-0). Subs: P Dorian (0-1), R Griffin, M Murray

Oldcastle: K Cadden, E Hetherington, B Lynch (0-1), G Hawdon, J Browne, G Kristwaite,  F Smyth,  K Allen, C  Brown, J Byrne (0-2), S Caffery, E Healy,  E Rahill, C Griffin (0-1), S Reilly (0-6). Subs C Delaney, E Plunkett, C McNamee

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