Dee Rangers 1-11 Simonstown 2-6

A dominant first half display from Dee Rangers proved crucial as they claimed the Meath Intermediate Football Championship title at a packed Cortown on Friday night.

Full forward Briona Rowe got the scoreboard working for the winners. County star Lisa Young doubled their lead before Grace Durnin raised the games first green flag. Durnin followed up with a point and the ladies in Black and White were in cruise control.

A well marshalled defence had an answer to all the Simonstown attack could throw at them until the 15th minute when full forward Chloe Caffrey brought them back into the game with a goal from the penalty spot.

Dee Rangers responded in style and before the break they added points from Young, Rowe (3), Alanna McNulty and Emma Halpenny to go at the break 1-8 to 1-0 in front. They could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty, Rowe wide with the spot kick. Simonstown’s woes were added to when keeper Alex Connor was shown a yellow card.

Player of the Match Lara O’Neill extended Dee Rangers lead with a point in the opening minute of the second half. Aoife Farrell responded with Simonstown’s first score from play a minute later. Kelly Harris doubled their points tally before Rowe again and Orlaith Sheehy opened up a nine point lead with 15 minutes to go.

Amazingly Sheehy's point was to be their last score as Simonstown took control. Harris (2), Ailbhe McHugh, and Emma Brogan pointed to leave five in it as injury time approached. Harris raised their second green flag and all of a sudden Dee Rangers looked in trouble. But there was to be no stunning come back as the full time whistle was blown soon after and Dee Rangers were crowned champions making up for their 2023 final day lost to Na Fianna.

After the game captain Orlaith Sheehy was presented with the Brian McKeown Cup while Lara O’Neill received the Player of the Match Award.

Dee Rangers scorers: Briona Rowe 0-4, Grace Durnin 1-1, Lara O’Neill 0-2 and Lisa Young 0-2 each, Emma Halpenny 0-1 and Alanna McNulty 0-1 each

Simonstown scorers: Kelly Harris 1-3, Chloe Caffrey 1-0, Aoife Farrell, Ailbhe McHugh and Emma Brogan 0-1 each

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