Navan O’Mahony’s 5-16 St. Colmcilles 1-10

A phenomenal start from Navan O’Mahony’s laid the groundwork for a convincing win in the final of the intermediate championship in Trim today. Following a wet and windy morning, conditions cleared for a brighter afternoon in St. Loman’s Park, reflecting the fortunes of the ladies in blue and white.

Both sides attracted massive levels of support, no doubt encouraged by the strong performances in their respective semi finals, both of which went to extra time. 

After being on the wrong side of the result against the Cilles in the league, Navan O’Mahony’s were well aware of the challenge ahead of them and knew a strong start was needed. County minor star Órlaith Mallon duly delivered this, opening the scoring with a free in the first minute of the game before adding a point a minute until the fourth minute, three from play. 

Midfielder Eimear Fay was the second Navan O’Mahony’s player to add her name to the scoresheet with a point. Mallon scored from play again before captain Hannah Heskin, returning from injury, split the posts with a fisted effort. Olivia Callan, another county minor, raised her first green flag of the day just before the water-break, leaving ten points between the sides. 

Not satisfied with the forwards doing all the scoring, Sarah Powderly made her way up from centre back, leaving the St. Colmcilles ladies in her wake as she ran through midfield to score an excellent point. With a strong wind at their back, Navan O’Mahony’s kept the foot on the pedal to keep the scoreboard ticking over with the Leahy sisters, Aoibheann and Ailbhe, adding a point apiece. Powderly and Mallon added to their Tally before Callan found the net ahead of half time.

Half Time Navan O’Mahony’s 2-14 St. Colmcilles 0-00

Their first half tally and a blitz attack in the opening minutes of the second half was enough to survive the inevitable rally from St. Colmcilles. Corner forward Meghan Collins won the ball in front of goal in the opening play of the second half. Surrounded by St. Colmcilles defenders, she kicked the ball over her head to raise a white flag.

This was quickly followed by Player-of-The-Match Callan’s third goal. A point from wing back Lily Dwyer was Navan O’Mahony’s final point of the game. St. Colmcilles really stepped up and pressed on in this period and would have a much higher scoreline only for great performances from Kate Falahee, Sophia Fitzherbert, Aoibhín McKenny and Michelle Beggy as well as Dwyer and Powderly. 

Two goals in quick succession was the end of the scoring for Navan O’Mahony’s from Collins and Mallon. St. Colmcilles never let the heads drop and finished with a very strong final quarter. The East Meath side had some great scores in this period, with some efforts saved by another county minor, goalkeeper Ciara Blake. They eventually breached the Navan O’Mahony’s defence to find the net but the early lead was enough to leave the Brews Hill side with a comfortable win.

After the game, Seán McKeown presented captain Hannah Heskin with the Brian McKeown Memorial Cup, named in memory of the Navan O’Mahony’s man. Heskin thanked the large crowd for their support, paid tribute Trim GAA for the facilities and to the St. Colmcilles side before thanking the mentors and management team of Phil Fay, Domo Murtagh, Brian McKeown, Gail O’Toole, Ultan Potts and Jay Forbes. 

Navan O’Mahony’s now face Kilcock of Kildare in the first round of Leinster. The side last clashed in the 2019 Leinster Junior Final when Navan O’Mahony’s won by a narrow margin.

Navan O’Mahony’s: Ciara Blake, Aoibhín McKenny, Kate Falahee, Sophia Fitzherbert, Michelle Beggy, Sarah Powderly (0-02), Lily Dwyer (0-01), Tara Fay, Eimear Fay (0-01), Hannah Heskin (0-01), Aoibheann Leahy (0-01), Ailbhe Leahy (0-01), Órlaith Mallon (1-05), Meghan Collins (1-01), Olivia Callan (3-02)

Dee Forde for McKenny, Rebecca Reilly for Dwyer, Caoimhe Cullen for Callan, Callan for Beggy 

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