Goals lose games as Meath prove generous hosts

Meath clocked up an unwanted hat-trick of Ladies NFL Div 1 defeats when they faltered badly against Cork in a fourth round tie at Ashbourne on Sunday. Frustrating would be a good one-word description of Meath's performance as the girls huffed and puffed all over the pitch, to the tune of whistle-happy referee Joe Murray who was over-fussy at times. Meath supporters directed a lot of verbal criticism at the referee and while that was understandable, it was also inaccurate and it would have represented a more balanced reaction if they had targeted their own team. Meath were the authors of their own downfall. They gifted Cork two first-half goals that were of the 'soft' variety and then repeated the trick again scarcely a minute into the second-half. And to make matters worse, Meath also missed a couple of gilt-edged goal chances, one in each half, and then produced a spirited rally that almost earned a victory. This was a bizarre Meath performance. There were plenty of positives, if you wanted to find them, but three defeats in-a-row is the stark reality as they prepare to face Kildare in a must-win game next Sunday at the same venue. After that, Meath face away days against Laois and Donegal. It was difficult to understand why gale force wind-assisted Meath started with Jenny Rispin, who opened Meath's account with a point after 20 seconds, once again in a sweeper role between the half-back and full-back lines. Even with the extra defender, the Meath marking was dire as Cork worked tirelessly off-the-ball and were rewarded with those 'soft' goals from wing-back Breege Corkery and Ciara O'Sullivan. Four Katie O'Brien points, which included that first gilt-edged goal chance, and a well-worked Fiona Mahon point had Meath on terms before Norita Kelly's solo raid produced Cork's first point close to the interval. That score gave the Cork girls a 2-1 to 0-6 interval lead and it was 3-1 to 0-6 immediately ater the resumption when Rhona Buckley finished to the net following a probing, unchallenged O'Sullivan run. O'Brien pointed two Meath frees, but Cork were in the ascendancy and replied similarly through Juliet Murphy (two frees), Geraldine Flynn (two from play), Nollaig Cleary, Orlagh Farmer and Orla Finn for a 3-8 to 0-8 advantage with six minutes remaining. Despite facing into the closing stages against the wind and a three-goal deficit, Meath showed commendable character and gave Cork a fright when O'Brien finished Stephanie Byrne's centre to the net and then Vivienne McCormack converted a penalty after Mary Sheridan was fouled. That swashbuckling finalé had some of the gloss removed by the concession of the three 'soft' goals, but if that weakness can be rectified, then a victory against Kildare next Sunday could get the team back on track and in contention for a place in the last four. Cork - E Harte; AM Walsh, D O'Reilly, R Buckley; B Corkery (1-0), B Stack, A Hutchings; J Murphy (0-2 frees), N Kelly (0-1); A Walsh, C O'Sullivan (1-0), G Flynn (0-2); N Cleary (0-1), R Buckley (1-0), G Kearney. Subs - O Farmer (0-1) for Walsh, L McMahon for Kearney half-time, O Finn (0-1) for Cleary, 45 mins, E Ahearne for Rhona Buckley 54 m, R O'Sullivan for Rena Buckley 58m, L Cronin for C O'Sullivan 59m, N O'Keeffe for Hutchings 60m. Meath - Irene Munnelly (St Ultan's); Orla Byrne (Duleek/Bellewstown), Aedin Murray (Navan O'Mahonys), Orla Sheridan (Seneschalstown); Ashley Leavy (Oldcastle), Eileen Rahill (Oldcastle), Kellie Allen (Oldcastle); Shauna Bennett (St Ultan's), Fiona Mahon (Seneschalstown 0-1); Mary Sheridan (Seneschalstown), Katie O'Brien (St Ultan's 1-6 three frees), Vivienne McCormack (Clann na nGael 1-0 penalty); Jenny Rispin (Summerhill 0-1), Aoife Thompson (Dunboyne), Kate Byrne (Duleek/Bellewstown). Subs - Aideen Guy (Boardsmill) for O Byrne and Emma Troy (Boardsmill) for K Byrne both half-time, Stephanie Byrne (Seneschalstown) for Thompson 50 mins. Referee - Joe Murray (Wexford)