Another three-point defeat for Meath ladies

Picking up Ladies NFL Div 1 points continues to pose problems for Meath following this latest result from Tyholland on Sunday where they were edged out by 2011 All-Ireland finalists Monaghan. Defeat was a little unkind on the Meath girls as they put in a huge effort for 60 minutes and were literally 'out on their feet' when referee Terence McSorley ended the contest. Their Monaghan counterparts couldn't have had too much left in the tank either because they had to expend as much, if not more, energy to take the valuable points. This was Meath's second successive defeat, they lost to Dublin the previous week, and it won't get any easier for the Royals with Cork due to visit on Sunday 4th March. However, manager Paula Cunningham maintained that a semi-final place was still the target and that victory against Cork would get them back into contention. Without the injured Geraldine Doherty, Katie Byrne from Duleek/Bellewstown started in an attack that looked a little light due to Jenny Rispin's deployment in defence where she operated in a kind of sweeper role. Meath made the most of limited opportunites although they were completely out-played during a Monaghan-dominated first-quarter despite the efforts of Fiona Mahon (pictured) and Mary Sheridan at midfield. Points from Caoimhe Mohan, Ciara McAnespie and Caitriona McConnell helped Monaghan into a laboured advantage. Mohan also found the net in the 10th minute with a speculative effort while all Meath could muster was a lone Katie O'Brien pointed free after 12 minutes. Meath raised the tempo and had Monaghan on the ropes for a 10-minute spell close to half-time. They reeled off five unanswered points with O'Brien (two), Aoife Thompson, Byrne and Sheridan splitting the posts. Monaghan punished some wayward defending and closed the half with a well-taken McAnespie point for a 1-4 to 0-6 interval lead. At that stage it was a one-point game, but Meath merited parity at that stage and the advantage was a huge help to the hosts who resumed smartly and laid siege to the Meath goal in a high-tempo second-half. Energy-sapping would be the best way to describe the efforts of both teams. Monaghan surged forward and Meath stood firm before a harsh free was awarded following some sterling tackling. Monaghan substitute, 2011 Allstar, Niamh Kindlon was happy to tap over from 13 metres and McConnell extended that lead to a goal soon after. Mahon continued to run at the Monaghan defence, Kellie Allen and O'Brien did the same and eventually an opening was made for Thompson to set up Vivienne McCormack for a point. Sheridan, who had earlier hit the crossbar, had a brief goal chance, but her fisted effort was saved by Edel Corrigan as Meath trailed by 0-7 to 1-6. The hosts put a goal in it again from McConnell's point, but at the other end Allen was denied when Monaghan substitute Isobel Kierans blocked her shot. Then O'Brien embarked on a solo raid from deep in her own half, found McCormack and the gap was down to two, but at that stage Meath seemed to run out of gas. Monaghan, who were also running on fumes, managed a Theresa McNally point after unmarked wing-back Grainne McNally surged forward and made the opening and the hosts managed four more wides from good positions before the end. Monaghan - E Corrigan; J Courtney, S Courtney, C Reilly; G McNally, L McEnaney, A McAnespie; N Fahy, E McKenna; T McNally (0-1), C McConnell (0-3), C Courtney; C McAnespie (0-2), N Mohan, C Mohan (1-1). Subs - I Kierans for McEnaney and N Kindlon (0-1) for N Mohan both 36 mins. Meath - Irene Munnelly (St Ultan's); Hazel Dennedy (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Aedin Murray (Navan O'Mahonys), Orla Sheridan (Seneschalstown); Emma Troy (Boardsmill), Eileen Rahill (Oldcastle), Kellie Allen (Oldcastle); Fiona Mahon (Seneschalstown), Mary Sheridan (Seneschalstown 0-1); Katie Byrne (Duleek/Bellewstown 0-1), Vivienne McCormack (Clann na nGael 0-2), Shauna Bennett (Oldcastle); Jenny Rispin (Summerhill), Aoife Thompson (Dunboyne 0-1), Katie O'Brien (St Ultan's 0-3 two frees). Subs - L Dempsey for Byrne 49 mins, C Jordan for Thompson 53m. Referee - Tommy McSorley.