Navan O’Mahony’s 5-07 Seneschalstown 1-07

Navan O’Mahony’s made their return to the top tier of league football in Meath for the first time in a decade with a comprehensive win over Seneschalstown in Paddy O’Brien Park on Saturday evening. 

The visitors were quick off the mark but narrowly wide with a shot within the opening thirty seconds. In the third minute, Megan Collins pointed from play. A minute later, Seneschalstown equalised. A dangerous ball into the square was cleared to safety by Sophia Fitzherbert, with the play ending in Collins adding another white flag. 

Both sides struggled to convert possession into scores and when the visitors equalised in the fifteenth minute, it was only two points apiece. Collins and Lily Dwyer worked well together to play the ball into the advancing Denise McGrath, who beat the Seneschalstown netminder to kick the ball into the open net. 

Six minutes later, a Robyn Murray 45 went into the square where McGrath again won possession and rattled the net to put six between the sides. Seneschalstown responded quickly with a point. Both sides kicked several wides with Seneschalstown raising a white flag in the 28th minute before Sarah Powderly did likewise after a good pass from Collins in injury time.

Navan O’Mahony’s 2-03 Seneschalstown 0-04

Navan O’Mahony’s consolidated their lead early in the second half when Murray again kicked a 45 into the square. Orlaith Mallon won possession and beat the netminder to leave eight between the sides. 

Seneschalstown kept a lot of possession in the minutes that followed, kicking three wides in five minutes and having goal chances denied by impressive blocks and clearances from Fitzherbert and full-back Deidre Forde. 

On the seven minute mark, Powderly found the net. A mighty save from netminder Rebecca Crowley led to a clearance that ultimately ended with Mallon finding Collins who rattled the net. Seneschalstown were not giving up without a fight and kicked a point followed by a goal in response midway through the second half.  

Navan O’Mahony’s had a comfortable lead but there was to be no laying back as the strong visiting team were constantly on the attack. One such attack was stopped by a textbook dispossession from corner back Sarah Maguire. Neasa McDermott pointed in the eighteenth minute while Powderly, Mallon and McGrath all raised white flags in the closing stages. 

Navan O’Mahony’s captain Sophia Fitzherbert accepted the cup from Brian McKeown following the game. 

Navan O’Mahony’s: Rebecca Crowley, Sarah Maguire, Deirdre Forde, Sophia Fitzherbert, Robyn Murray, Hannah Heskin, Lily Dwyer, Eimear Fay, Rebecca Reilly, Tara Fay, Sarah Powderly (1-02), Neasa McDermott (0-01), Orlaith Mallon (1-01), Megan Collins (1-02), Denise McGrath (2-01)

Subs: Lauren Woods for Dwyer, Isabel Thorpe for McDermott, Aoibhin McKenny for Forde

Tweet

Most Read Stories