Dunboyne…3-16
Milltown (Westmeath)…1-07
Possibly the only down side for teams who won county championships in 2020 was that they were denied – wrongly in my view – the opportunity to represent their county at Provincial level thereafter. Thus, having earned the right to do so again, St Peter’s, Dunboyne laid down a marker here that they intend to keep their winter wonderland rolling on.
This was a truly proud and historic occasion for our club. Playing in the Leinster Club SFC on our own hallowed turf in Rooske. What these ladies have done and continue to for the spirit of the entire town is truly incalculable. The sight of stewards patrolling the road on the way up to the club, local schools turned into overflow carparks. Hot refreshments being sold at the side of the pitch. With the biggest crowd yours truly has seen in the old field in over three decades of being parked on its sideline.
The following is in no way meant in brash arrogance by any means, but in the end the football took care of itself. Now, well placed Westmeath sources had this corner well warned of the potential within the Milltown team. However, sometimes the best defence is a good offence. So it was that the home team’s dynamic duo of Vikki Wall and Emma Duggan instigated a barrage of scores which caught those in green and white cold and had the contest as good as over before it had properly begun.
With Duggan netting twice – and the Meath champions having clocked up 2-03 before the visitors had raised a flag. To their credit when they did find the Dunboyne net they tacked on a few points but the locals were clear by 3-11 to 1-03 with a half hour still to play.
If one was to engage in objective critical analysis, it could be said the home side will most likely have to register considerably more than five second half scores against whomever they encounter next on their journey but that’s an issue for another day.
As much Dunboyne’s attack is rightly lauded, today exemplified the completeness of their team. Milltown actually enjoyed spells of possession during the game but the efficiency of Elaine Doyle, Deirdre Blaney and Annie Moffatt in defence and the graft and industry of Alison Jones at midfield ensured safe passage to the next stage of their winters journey.
Dunboyne: A. O’Sullivan; R. McDermott, E. Doyle, D. Blaney; A. Delaney, H. Hickey, A. Moffatt; V. Wall, A. Jones; J. Kavanagh, S. Melia, S. Quinn; L. Grant, E. Duggan, F.O’Neill. Subs; A Thompson, A. Kelly, H. Nolan.
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