Ladies SFC Final: Experienced St Ultan's claim two-in-a-row

St Ultan's Geraldine Doherty with Sarah Bagnall Boardsmill during the Ladies SFC final at Pairc Tailteann. TO VIEW A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THIS GAME CLICK HERE

St Ultan's claimed their second Coca Cola sponsored Meath Ladies SFC title in-a-row with a comfortable win over Boardsmill in what was the first ever senior championship decider played at Pairc Tailteann. Stalwarts Katie O'Brien, Elaine Duffy, Geraldine Doherty, Ciara Murray and Irene Munnelly accounted for all bar one point of their winning total.

St Ultans 4-7 Boardsmill 0-11

Both teams took a while to settle and the wet conditions at Meath GAA headquarters did not help matters. 

St Ultan's laid the foundations for victory in the opening 18 minutes when they stunned Boardsmill, fresh from their midweek extra-time semi final win over Oldcastle, with four goals.

Corner-forward O'Brien was involved in all four. The number 15 showed great bravery in finding the net for the opening major. 

St. Ultans - Meath Ladies Senior Football Champions

Full forward Ciara Murray got the second after great work by Geraldine Doherty and O'Brien. The former county star set up Doherty for the third and Murray got her second, and Ultan's fourth, goal direct from an O'Brien free-kick.

A shocked Boardsmill slowly worked their way back into the game and were rewarded with two fine points from Laura Griffin and Laura Bagnall. 

Sharon Kerrigan got St Ultan's first point of the half in the closing stages to give them a 4-1 to 0-5 interval lead.

The second-half was a more even affair with St Ultan's having the luxury of that eight point lead. 

Boardsmill made personnel and positional switches for the second period, introducing Raina Griffin and moving Emma Troy to their inside forward line. 

Troy pointed on 31 minutes but St Ultan's responded with two Katie O'Brien points and an Elaine Duffy free to lead 4-4 to 0-6 points with 40 minutes gone on the clock.

The Boardsmill squad

Boardsmill rallied again with points from Amy Troy, Helen Regan and a Kealey free to narrow the deficit to even but, try as they might, they failed to engineer the major score which would have brought them back within striking distance of the eventual winners. 

Ger Doherty, Ciara Murray and Irene Munnelly pointed for St Ultan's in the closing stages with Boardsmill's replies coming from Amy Troy and substitute Paula Dorian.

Best for the winners were goalkeeper Nuala O'Brien, Yvonne Barden and Mary Coyne in defence, midfielder Sharon Kerrigan, who was voted Player of the Match, and Elaine Duffy, Geraldine Doherty, Ciara Murray and Katie O'Brien in attack.

Yvonne Barden raises the Coca Cola SFC Cup at Pairc Tailteann.

Dani O'Sullivan was best on the day for Boardsmill and she was ably supported by Laura Griffin, Amy Troy, Eimear Murray, Laura Bagnall and Emma Troy.

After the game St Ultan's captain Yvonne Barden was presented with the Coca Cola Senior Football Championship Cup by Fearghal Harney. Chairperson Meath Ladies Football

St Ultans - Nuala O'Brien, Sinead Monaghan, Yvonne Barden, Mairead Costello, Ann Marie Ball, Mary Coyne, Heather Smith, Shauna Monaghan, Sharon Kerrigan (0-1), Karen Healy, Elaine Duffy (0-1), Patricia Marley, Geraldine Doherty (1-1), Ciara Murray (2-1), Katie O'Brien (1-2). Subs: Irene Munnelly (0-1), Leslie Buchanan, Grainne Mackin.

Boardsmill - Eimear Murray, Sarah Bagnall, Cliona Murray, Katie Hackett, Emma Troy (0-1), Aideen Guy, Rachel Troy, Susan Kealey (0-2), Helen Regan (0-1), Laura Griffin (0-2), Laura Bagnall (0-2), Amy Troy (0-2), Kim Garrigan, Caroline Quinn, Dani O'Sullivan. Subs: Raina Griffin, Paula Dorian (0-1), Laura Dempsey.

Referee: Colm McManus.