Updated: Wednesday, 10th February, 2010 4:48pm

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No contest at Celbridge

by Fergal Lynch

Kildare 2-17, Meath 2-7

Meath goalkeeper Irene Munnelly was busy during Sunday's Ladies NFL Div 2 defeat by Kildare.

Whether it was opening day nerves or early season rustiness, Meath totally fluffed their lines at Celbridge on Sunday when they were comprehensively outplayed by an impressive Kildare side in the Ladies NFL Div 2.

The 10-point defeat doesn't accurately reflect how far off the pace Meath were and it was only through pure hard work, guts and determination that they managed to close the gap late on.

With only 13 minutes remaining Meath were adrift by 1-3 to 2-16 as the hosts ran the ball at pace, were always out in front of their marker and took their scores brilliantly.

Meath looked one-paced and cumbersome. They lacked invention and were aimless in their passing, but afterwards manager Brendan Dardis wasn't too concerned because his team are only in the early stages of their development.

"Losing like that is disappointing, but four girls were making their debuts and three or four of the substitutes were also making their first appearances at this level.

"I don't want us to be flying fit in February and then fading later in the summer. Kildare are flying fit, they did a lot of winter training and they are playing championship pace in the middle of February, so I'm not worried about that.

"Bridgetta Lynch came out there today for her first game at this level and grabbed 1-1. That is exceptional for a 17-year-old, she played well and others will improve so we have plenty to look forward to.

"I probably hung Kellie Allen out to dry at centre-back in her first game, but it is a learning process. Ashley Leavy found the pace tough at this level, but she will improve. I've never seen a player impress the first day they play midfield," he added. The praise for Lynch was totally justifiable as the young corner-forward was excellent, but unfortunately she was starved of possession.

It was a tough afternoon for the Meath rearguard and had it not been for some outstanding saves and great handling from Irene Munnelly the margin of defeat would have been much greater.

Claire Coffey and Jenny Rispin, both of whom had to rush off to link up with the Meath camogie team were lively at opposite ends of the field.

Coffey and Aine Fagan were the pick of the defenders while Rispin was a superb target and linked up well with Lynch and Ger Doherty who was as busy as ever.

It took Meath until the 11th minute to open their account with a Lynch goal and by that stage they were already five points adrift.

A brilliant Kildare move produced a fine goal for Aisling Holton before Rispin converted a free to reduce the deficit to 1-1 to 1-10 at the break.

After the break, Meath were more solid and only lost the half by a point (1-6 to 1-7). Within a minute of the restart Rispin pointed, but Kildare tagged on 1-5 before the 11th minute of the half to make it 2-15 to 1-2.

Meath were the better team in the fourth-quarter with points from Rispin (free) and Stephanie Byrne followed by a goal for Rispin which narrowed the gap to 2-4 to 2-17.

Two Rispin frees and a fine point from Lynch closed the scoring and brought Meath's misery to an end, but they can take encouragement from a decent final quarter and look ahead to next week's game against Sligo with confidence.

Kildare - T Martin; A Herbert, D Berry, A Lyons; M Moolick, N Quinn, A Lambe; A Holton (1-1), B Leahy; M Murphy (0-3, two frees), T Noone (0-3, two frees), S Hurley (0-1); D Gately (0-4), A Gately (0-2), L Higgins (0-2). Subs - K Lowry for Lyons 22 mins, C Hill for Murphy 40m, M Lawless for Higgins 43m, A O'Donovan (0-1) for Moolick 36m, C Hogan for Berry 47m, A Savage for Lowry 55m.

Meath - Irene Munnelly; Claire Coffey, Philomena Sheridan, Maria Kealy; Aine Fagan, Kellie Allen, Ciara Dempsey; Mary Sheridan, Ashley Leavy; Aedin Murray, Ger Doherty, Orla Sheridan; Elaine Duffy, Jenny Rispin (1-5, four frees), Bridgetta Lynch (1-1). Subs - Eve Wardick for Leavy half-time, Roisin Nulty for O Sheridan 34 mins, Stephanie Byrne (0-1) for Allen 43m, Samantha Martin for Duffy 43m, Therese Cosgrave for Dempsey 48m.

Referee - Tom Lennon (Dublin).