Championship wins for

• Junior B              CBC
• Junior A              St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh
• Intermediate B     Lucan Sarsfields
• Intermediate A     St Marks
• Senior B              St Vincents

Congratulations to all clubs and runners up Naomh Barróg; Naomh Bríd, Na Fianna, Trinity Gaels and Skerries Harps.

Sincere appreciation to Trinity Gaels who did a superb job hosting the games.

Junior A:  St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh 1 - 4  Naomh Bríd 0 - 4

For 60 minutes the Russell Park outfit held the lead or were level with their Navan Road opponents but in the three minutes of added time, Plunketts Laoise Quinn proved to be the star turn.  In the 61st minute she doubled on a ball in flight to drive over the leveller.  With the game deep in added time it looked like a replay would be necessary but a long range shot from the wing sailed all the way to the net. 

Naomh Bríd tried to respond but with time against them, Plunketts defended stoutly to hold on for victory.

It was tough encounter from start to finish played in a great spirit.  Defences were on top and scores were at a premium.  The excellent Orla Teeling pointed a free after 4 minutes to give Naomh Bríd the lead.  Although enjoying a slight dominance at midfield thanks to the efforts of Emma Devitt and Orla Brennan, the Naomh Bríd defence was busy with Lisa Ryan and goalkeeper Aoife Powell pulling off some good saves.

By the 10th minute, St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh were on level terms after Jennifer Sweeney pointed a free but five minutes later Orla Teeling restored Bríd's lead with a sweetly struck "45".

Aoibheann Ní Shúilleabháin was outstanding at full back but the running and workrate of Megan O'Reilly and Laura Quinn demonstrated that Plunketts weren't going to be a pushover.  They were back on equal terms in the 21st minute when a fine first time pull by Rebecca Kavanagh brought parity to the game.  Try as they did neither side could add to their tally by the time Paddy Kiernan blew half-time.

The Trinity Gaels pitches were in tip top shape and the quality of the play improved considerably in the second half.  Naomh Bríd enjoyed the better of the exchanges and in the 37th minute Orla Brennan fired over their first score from play.  Fiona Forde was twice called upon to make great clearances in the Plunketts.  The game had all the appearances of whichever side could grab a goal - well it was going to win the game.  That's how it turned out eventually but for much of the half Naomh Bríd did not look like they would be going home empty-handed.

Another 45 from Orla Teeling pushed them two points clear in the 40th minute but try as they did they failed to score for the rest of the game.

A Niamh Russell point in the 51st minute gave Plunketts a huge boost and the continued to press.  When the game moved into added time, it looked like Naomh Bríd would hold on and even when Laoise Quinn hit the equaliser, defeat did not seem possible but the same player had other ideas and her goal proved to be the winner.

Player of the Match:  Megan O'Reilly (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)

Scorers:

St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh - Laoise Quinn (1-1), Niamh Russell, Jennifer Sweeney and Rebecca Kavanagh (0-1 each)

Naomh Bríd - Orla Teeling (0-3), Orla Brennan (0-1)

Referee:  Paddy Kiernan

Junior B:   Cumann Báire Chaoimhín 3 - 10  Naomh Barróg 0 - 1
Photo Gallery by Seamus Massey

Playing in a first county final can be a daunting prospect and in the case of Naomh Barróg, this game did not reflect their true ability.

A strong and mature CBC side played superbly and laid the foundation of victory in the first half when they built up a 2 - 6 to 0 - 0 lead.  The goals coming from the stick of Siobhan Flannery.  A string of excellent points from Katie Kenny (0-3), Denise Devery (0-2) and Leonora Lyons pushed the Dolphin Park crew into an unassailable lead.

Any chance of a Naomh Barróg recovery was foiled early in the second half when Katie Kenny (0-2), Leonora Lyons and Jessica O'Byrne put extra daylight between the sides.

Naomh Barróg began to show glimmers of their true ability late in the game with an excellent point by Sinead Delaney,  Caoimhe Murphy was excellent in goals and Orla McCormack worked hard in midfield.

Another goal from CBC this time Leonora Lyons came as the end of one of many fine clearances by corner back Caroline Egan.2_

At the finish there was no disputing the winners.

Player of the match:  Katie Kenny (CBC)

Scorers:

CBC - Siobhan Flannery (2-0); Katie Kenny (0-5); Leonora Lyons (1-2); Denise Devery (0-2); Jessica O'Byrne (0-1)

Naomh Barróg - Sinead Delany (0-1)

Referee:  Derek Brannigan

Intermediate A:  Naomh Marcais 4 - 6  Na Fianna 4 - 5
Photo Gallery by Seamus Massey

The joy on their faces at the end of this epic told the story as St. Marks ended a ten year barren spell when the regained the Intermediate championship.  Similar to the Junior A decider, the losers led for most of the way until the 59th minute of the game.

Showing great skill and pace throughout the field, Na Fianna has the upperhand in most departments with the exception of one where Amy Murphy of St Mark's was in unstoppable form and ended up scoring 3 - 4 of her side's total including the winning point.

Na Fianna were first out of the blocks in this cracker when Bríd ní Laoire pointed to be followed in the 8th minute by a Paula Lohan goal.  But Amy Murphy was showing early signs of her danger when she clipped over a neat point in the 11th minute to be followed a minute later by the levelling goal.  The Dublin senior knocked over two more points in teh next 16 minutes to open a 1 -3 to 1 - 1 lead.  But just before the break the Mobhi Road outfit enjoyed a "goalden" spell.

First Deirdre Quinn netted from close range in the 30th minute and two minutes later a superb pass by Paula Lohan was finished to the net by livewire Khloe Dillon-Coote to give Na Fianna a 3-1 to 1-3 interval lead.

Naomh Marcais began the second half brightly and Amy Murphy went for goal with her first touch but Sadhbh Caverly in the Na Fianna goals brought off a great save.  However Martina Kenny pointed the resultant 45.

The excellent Bríd ní Laoire was on target with two placed balls in the 32nd and 33rd minutes before Amy Murphy broke through for her second goal to leave just two points between the sides.

As the game sea-sawed up and down the field, Na Fianna were next to raise a green flag as Paula Lohan grabbed her second goal to the delight of their huge following in the 38th minute.

Karen Fox was now moved on to marking Amy Murphy and her strength and skill was proving more successful on the St Mark's No 14.  Na Fianna dominance around the middle third with Khloe Dillon-Coote, Emma Cloherty, Susan Clinton and Bríd ní Laoire working very hard also meant the supply was no longer coming into Amy Murphy.

By the 53rd minute Na Fianna led by 4 - 5 to 2 - 4 thanks to points from Paula Lohan and Bríd Ní Laoire and it looked like they had managed to curb the threat of Amy Murphy.

Or so it seemed, up she popped a minute later and although she did not make clean contact the ball took a vicious bounce and ended up in the net.  Game on again!.  Five minutes later as the ball spun across the goal and came back off the cross bar, Paula Martin was on hand to hammer the rebound home.  Mark's were now on fire and on the 60th minute Martina Kenny pointed for a foul on outstanding Selina Conlon.  The midfielder handled the pressure and levelled the game.

With nominated All-Ireland referree Karl O'Brien in charge, the game entered added time and when needed most Amy Murphy grabbed possession and from 40m drove over the lead point.

Na Fianna has two late chances from difficult long-range frees but Trish O'Sullivan's efforts were held up in the breeze.  Victory to Naomh Marcais.

Player of the Match: Selina Conlon

Scorers

Naomh Marcais - Amy Murphy (3-4), Paula Martin (1-0), Martina Kenny (0-2)

Na Fianna - Paula Lohan (2-1); Bríd ní Laoire (0-4); Deirdre Quinn and Khloe Dillon-Coote (1-0 each)

Referee: Karl O'Brien

Intermediate B:  Lucan Sarsfields 3 - 12  Trinity Gaels 3 - 6

If ever a side gave it their all it was Trinity Gaels.  The underdogs put a fantastic display of skill and determination and were in the game until the final stages.

Typifying the display was goalkeeper Louise Lynch who brought off the save of the day when denying Niamh Berry from point blank range early in the second half.

The home side got off to a flier and after 6 minutes Edel Barrett and sharp-shooter Leanne Walsh had them two goals to the good.  

In fairness, Gaels should have had more on the scoreboard by half time but a few chances were spurned.

Lucan on the other hand have enjoyed a number of successes at underage level and they have a composure beyond their years.  Excellent free-taking by Ailise Dowling, points by Tara Keenan and a fine individual goal by Sarah Courtney kept them well in the game.

Coming into the final 10 minutes of the half, Claire O'Brien knocked in another goal with the help of a deflection and Trinity were smiling again especially as Leanne Walsh added another 45 to put them 3-2 to 1-5 in front at the break.

Leanne was to be Trinity's main provider of scores and she added another point from a free in the 37th minute.  But Lucan gradually got on top and had more to offer as the game wore on.  Strong in defence their running and intelligent use of the ball began to pay off.  Three points by Tara Keenan, Ailise Dowling and Niamh Berry showed their spread of scorers and when Jamie Jordan goaled in the 50th minute they were ahead for the first time.  Two minutes later Sarah Courtney put her name on her second goal and from there to the finish they grew in confidence and pointed impressively.

Trinity Gaels never gave up and Anita Graham, Helena O'Brien and Grainne Free fought to the finish.

Player of the Match: Sarah Courtney (Lucan Sarsfields)

Scorers

Lucan Sarsfields - Sarah Courtney (2-3); Ailise Dowling (0-5); Tara Keenan (0-2); Niamh Berry (0-1)

Trinity Gaels - Leanne Walsh (1-6); Edel Barrett and Claire O'Brien (1-0 each)

Senior B:  St Vincents 4 - 5  Skerries Harps 0 - 9

This exciting Senior B championship final between Northside clubs Skerries Harps and St. Vincents proved once again that that goals win games. Player of the game the ageless Denise Smith opened the scoring when converting the first 45 of the match. Minutes later Emer Murphy had the sides level with a well taken point. Skerries Harps were playing very well at this stage but on 15 minutes St. Vincents went 6 points ahead with 2 hand-passed goals by Rebecca Martin and Aisling Mahernin the space of 2 minutes. Skerries replied with 5 points from Emer Murphy and Orlaith Durkan while Vincents added 2 points leaving the score approaching half time Skerries 6 points St. Vincents 2-3. But on the stroke of half time another hand passed goal by Clara Keane restored Vincents lead to 6 points..

Skerries battled hard in the second half but their task became even more difficult when Vincents added another goal after 5 minutes. Throughout the half Skerries battled bravely and created many chances in front of goals but the Vincents defense was magnificent confining the fast-moving Skerries forwards to just 3 points. Final score St. Vincents 4-5 Skerries Harps 0-9

Player of the match: Denise Smith (St. Vincents)

Referee Damien Burnett.