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PTSB Dublin LGFA Junior M Club Championship Final
Naomh Mearnóg 3-12 St James Gaels An Caisleán 1-8
Report by Cóilin Duffy
Naomh Mearnóg claimed the PTSB Dublin LGFA Junior M title with a convincing 10-point victory over St James Gaels An Caisleán, building a six-point half-time lead before controlling a low-scoring second half at St. Margaret’s GAA Club on Wednesday evening.
Shannon Coady provided an early warning when her effort was saved and deflected out for a 45, but it was Mearnóg who struck the opening score. Ali Duff gave them the ideal start when she found the net from play after just four minutes.
St James Gaels responded strongly. Jennifer Mofitt opened their account in the 11th minute before Hynayara Oliveira struck 1-1 in the space of 36 seconds, briefly putting An Caisleán ahead.
Duff settled Mearnóg with a point before Mofitt replied at the opposite end. Molly White and Lauren Darcy then exchanged scores as both teams battled for control.
A decisive contribution arrived from Ruby Bedford, who was introduced after 16 minutes. Bedford converted a free in the 22nd minute and, just over a minute later, drove home Mearnóg’s second goal.
Sorcha Lowry added two points, while White, Duff and Jennifer Baker also found the range during an impressive finish to the half. Coady responded for St James Gaels, but Mearnóg carried a 2-8 to 1-5 advantage into the interval.
The frequent concession of frees disrupted the flow of the contest, with St James Gaels conceding 16 and Mearnóg 13. The eventual winners were more efficient when those opportunities came within scoring range.
The opening stages of the second half were much tighter, with both sides struggling to turn possession into scores. Several efforts dropped short or drifted wide before Coady finally broke the deadlock with her second point in the 35th minute.
Mearnóg retained their composure. Ciara Brogan landed a point from play and followed it with a free, Bedford added another from open play and Baker converted a free to stretch the advantage to nine points.
Their accuracy from placed balls proved particularly valuable. Mearnóg converted all three of their point-scoring frees, while St James Gaels were unable to capitalise on their only direct attempt from a placed ball.
Emily Crean and Mofitt registered late points to reward An Caisleán’s persistence. Mofitt finished with three points, while Oliveira’s first-half contribution of 1-1 remained central to their challenge. However, Mearnóg’s defence prevented the goal St James Gaels required to revive the contest.
There was still time for one final flourish.16-year-old Ava Brogan, introduced with just over three minutes remaining, struck a goal in added time to complete a ten-point victory.
Duff and Bedford led the winners’ scoring with 1-2 apiece, with Brogan supplying the third goal. Mearnóg finished with 15 scores from 28 attempts and emerged as deserved winners.
After the game Naomh Mearnóg co-captain’s Jennifer Baker and Sarah Kennedy received the Cup from Dublin LGFA Vice Chairperson Declan Patton, while full-back Diane Kennedy was honoured as Player of the Match.
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