Slane / Rathkenny 5-6 Seneschalstown 2-6

Slane/Rathkenny began their Coca-Cola Junior C Championship campaign in Slane with a hard-fought but impressive victory over Seneschalstown.

The home side got to a good start and dominated the early exchanges with points from Caoimhe McKenna and a free by Blathnaid Rock to go 0-3 to 0-0 up but they were also guilty of a few wides and this allowed Senseschalstown to claw their way back into the game. Eimear O'Carroll had two points on the board, one from a free, and then Laura Burke brought the sides level late in the half.

However, Caoimhe McKenna was on target with a free from a tight angle to give Slane/Rathkenny a slender advantage as the half-time whistle blew.

Again the home side started the stronger of the two but this time made their possession count with Caoimhe McKenna finding the net twice and then Siabhra Reilly fired over a well taken point which moved Slane/Rathkenny eight points clear.

Seneschalstown got some points on the board midway through the half but Shelia Downey's opportunistic goal then left them with a mountain to climb. Jennifer Downey, with her first touch after coming, added a fourth goal and a fifth before the finish as Seneschalstown piled forward in search of goals. They did have two consolation ones, with Roisin Commins powering a shot to the net and a long range effort from Eimear O'Carroll going all the way right at the death.

This was Slane/Rathkenny's first ever Championship game and the best possible start to the campaign for them. It was a great team effort against formidable opposition and great credit to both sets of players for a good sporting encounter.

The home side had strong performers all over the field, but young Molly Maguire caught the eye at half-back while Caoimhe McKenna and Siabhra Reilly were in sparkling form in attack. Other good performers on the night were the midfield partnership of team captain Aileen Hanley and Emma O'Brien, and Olwyn Halligan and Emily Deane in defence.

Slane / Rathkenny: Katy French-Davis, Laura Matthews, Niamh Martyn, Olwyn Halligan, Molly Maguire, Emily Deane, Lisa Gore, Aileen Hanley, Emma O'Brien, Siabhra Reilly (0-1), Blathnaid Rock (0-1), Grainne McGowan, Caoimhe McKenna (2-4), Julie-Ann Maguire, Sheila Downey (1-0). Subs used: Laoise Reilly, Niamh McKenna, Jennifer Downey (2-0), Eva Hunter, Leah Reilly, Helen McCormack.
Seneschalstown: Sandra Waters, Dearbhla Clarke, Roisin Commis (1-0), Elaine Byrne, Laura Wall, Deborah Mangan, Catherine Smyth, Aoife Lenehan, Eve Loughran, Shona Loughran, Eimear O'Carroll (1-2), Laura Burke (0-2), Lucinda Healy (0-1), Cathy-Ann Cowley, Kelly Smith (0-1).
Referee: John Gaughan

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