After a break of more than half a century Gaelic football returned to Mornington on an historic sunny Spring morning (Saturday, 5 April 2025) when Eastern Gaels Ladies hosted Moynalvey.  A very entertaining Meath LGFA Division 8 game saw the home side retain their unbeaten run with an 8 point win,  to make it four wins from four.

In a fitting nod to Páirc Réalt na Mara’s past, the ball was thrown in by local man Davy Reynolds, who played on the pitch in the 60s and 70s with Star of the Sea and helped erect the first set of goalposts there back in 1965.

Gaels opted to play with a stiff breeze in the first half and we were immediately on the attack with Kellyann Buchanan pointing from play in the opening minute.  Moynalvey responded with a point of their own but a neat interception by Kellyann saw Caoimhe Cairns put Aoibhinn Butler in for our opening goal.

Moynalvey hit back with a second point before Aoibhinn replied following good work by Emma O’Sullivan and Kellyann.  Caoimhe then pointed from a free following a foul on Emma.  The visitors continued to ask questions and only excellent defending by Alison Boyle and Siofra Murphy prevented them from adding to their score.   

A sweeping Gaels move saw Kellyann score a fine point and as the midway point of the half approached Aoibhinn netted her second goal, to make the score 2-04 to 0-02 in our favour.

Moynalvey were not done and a wonderful interception from Kate Kelly averted a very dangerous situation.  The relief was short lived however as Moynalvey goaled with their next attack.

Caoimhe Horan was then called on to make an important stop and some fine work by Siofra saw Caoimhe point at the other end.  Emma and Caoimhe then combined really well on the right with the former finishing to the net to make the score 3-05 to 1-02.

On twenty minutes a speculative shot by Kellyann deceived the Moynalvey goalkeeper and ended up in the net. Our Ladies were on top now and Aoibhinn pointed again following good play by Caoimhe.

Moynalvey’s pacey attack kept probing and Kate again provided a timely interception to clear a dangerous move.  Good work on the left by Amy Lowthe saw her find Kellyann who in turn fed Aoibhinn who found the net again for her hat-trick.

The visitors replied with a goal of their own before Caoimhe added another point for the Gaels.  With five minutes to go to the break Emma’s long ball found Aoibhinn who added to her tally with a nice point.  

Good work by Kellyann and Amy found Siofra attacking from half back and she split the posts.  Moynalvey added a point but as half time approached Karolina Slionskyte’s shot from distance found the corner of the net to finish the scoring for the half.

The visitors had the wind behind them in the second half and began it brightly.  Smart defending by Alison saw off one dangerous situation before Siofra similarly stopped another attack.  Caoimhe H then made a good take on the line as the visitors made use of the elements.  

A point effort then dropped short and ended up in our net and Moynalvey then added two more quick points.  Good pressure from Kate prevented another score and Grace Milner had a very important turnover as we struggled to get out of our half.  

Moynalvey soon had another goal similar to their one a few minutes earlier when a high ball dropped into the net. 

Leah Maguire, Meg Sowray and Megan Cromwell were working hard up front but were living off scraps as the wind made it difficult for us to get the ball to the forwards.  We needed a score badly and it was provided by Karolina who pointed after an excellent pass by Kellyann.  

It was a brief respite however as Moynalvey then blasted a free to the net to leave the score at 6-10 to 5-05 for us with fifteen minutes left to play.

Moynalvey scored next with a pointed free before Caoimhe replied in kind after a foul on Emma. Gaels received some breathing space in the next attack when Amy’s cool finish found the net to push the gap to eleven points. 

Ger Doyle, Kate Cromwell and Leah were defending from the front making sure Moynalvey didn’t have time and space to find their forwards.  

Eastern Gaels were defending deeper now and good work by Sorcha Cronin resulted in an important turnover.  It was all hands on deck but Grace Toolan, Ali, Siofra were standing firm and Moynalvey were finding scores hard to come by.  

A fine save by Caoimhe H was harshly penalised with a spot kick to the visitors which they duly despatched for the final score of the game.  It had been nervy at times but the Ladies held out on this historic occasion to collect another three League points on a final scoreline of Eastern Gaels 7-11, Moynalvey 6-06.

It was a very entertaining hour for the many who attended and a fantastic way to welcome football back to Páirc Réalt na Mara! 

 

Eastern Gaels: Caoimhe Horan, Alison Boyle, Kate Kelly, Siofra Murphy (0-01), Grace Toolan, Grace Milner, Emma O’Sullivan (1-00), Sorcha Cronin, Caoimhe Cairns (0-04, (2f), Aoibhinn Butler (3-03), Kellyann Buchanan (1-02), Ger Doyle, Megan Cromwell, Amy Lowthe (1-00), Kate Cromwell, Karolina Slionskyte (1-01), Meg Sowray, Leah Maguire.