LGFA SFC semi final: Heartbreak for O'Mahony's

Hannah Haskin clears her lines for Navan O'Mahony's during the SFC semi final against Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels.

Navan O’Mahonys 2-07
Royal Gaels 1-11

Navan O’Mahonys’ Senior Ladies Championship campaign came to an agonising end in Dunshaughlin on Friday evening, as reigning champions Royal Gaels edged a gripping semi-final by the narrowest of margins, 1-11 to 2-07. 

With Royal Gaels chasing a fourth successive championship title, the fixture was a repeat of last year’s semi-final, when O’Mahonys also came up just short. Wet and windy conditions greeted both sides for the scheduled 7.30pm throw-in, which was delayed as the teams waited for the referee. Despite O’Mahony’s support being split between Dunshaughlin for the ladies and Castletown for the men’s championship quarter-final, a fantastic O’Mahonys crowd still turned out in force to get behind the team.

Royal Gaels opened the scoring, but O’Mahonys produced the perfect response when Ailbhe Leahy found the net inside the opening minutes. Lauren Woods followed with a point as Navan settled quickly into what was always going to be a fiercely contested battle.

One of the major talking points of the opening half came when a penalty was awarded to Royal Gaels for a foot block given against goalkeeper Robyn Murray. The resulting effort went over the bar, and the sides continued to trade scores before the reigning champions struck for a goal of their own.

O’Mahonys refused to let the game get away from them. Orlaith Mallon continued to pose a threat going forward before Isabel Thorpe struck a crucial goal late in the half, leaving just a single point between the teams at the interval.

Navan O’Mahonys 2-02
Royal Gaels 1-06

The second half developed into a tremendous battle, with O’Mahonys having to work relentlessly across every area of the pitch. Sarah Maguire, Sophia Fitzherbert and Sarah Powderly battled for everything in the full-back line, while Holly McKeigue, Hannah Heskin and Lilly Dwyer put in a huge shift further out. Rebecca Reilly and Charlie Murray worked tirelessly around the middle as both teams fought for control.

Milly Clarke-Carolan’s work rate was immense, covering huge ground and contributing at both ends of the pitch, while Orlaith Mallon remained a constant threat as O’Mahonys continued to push the reigning champions.

Royal Gaels managed to establish a small advantage, but O’Mahonys kept coming. Fitzherbert drove forward from defence to land an important score, while Mallon added another as Navan stayed firmly within touching distance.

The closing stages summed up the character of the O’Mahonys performance. Muireann Nelson struck two points in quick succession to bring the sides level at 2-07 to 1-10 with the finish approaching. After battling their way back into the contest, O’Mahony’s pushed hard for the score that could send them through to the county final.

After an enormous effort from both sides, however, it was Royal Gaels who found the decisive score in the closing stages. O’Mahonys immediately went in search of the equaliser and were mid-attack when the final whistle sounded, bringing the contest to a sudden end with the reigning champions prevailing by the narrowest of margins.

The final whistle brought heartbreak for O’Mahonys, but there could be no questioning the effort from the women in blue and white. From Murray behind a defence that fought for every ball, through the huge work rate of the backs and midfield, to a forward line that showed huge character and drive with Mallon and Leahy always leading with experience, it was an immense collective effort against the reigning champions.

A disappointing end to the championship campaign, but a performance full of fight, determination and pride from O’Mahonys, who pushed the champions all the way to the final whistle.

Thank you to everyone who travelled to Dunshaughlin and gave the team such fantastic support on the night. Congratulations to Royal Gaels after a tremendous championship battle, and we wish them the very best of luck in the county final.

Navan O’Mahonys: Robyn Murray; Sophia Fitzherbert (0-01), Sarah Maguire, Sarah Powderly; Holly McKeigue, Hannah Heskin, Lilly Dwyer; Rebecca Reilly, Charlie Murray; Milly Clarke-Carolan, Muireann Nelson (0-02), Lauren Woods (0-01); Isabel Thorpe (1-0), Ailbhe Leahy (1-0), Orlaith Mallon( 0-03)