Kate Byrne in action for Meath during Monday's All-Ireland Minor A Shield final against Kerry at Banagher.

Meath girls edged out

Published: Wed 3 Aug 2011, 9:30 AM

Last updated: Wed 3 Aug 2011, 1:30 PM

Meath girls made a brave bid for All-Ireland Minor A Shield football honours at Banagher on Monday, but they were edged out by a very determined and talented Kerry side. The game began at a furious pace and Kerry were first on the scoresheet with an early goal from Laura Rogers and a Anna Galvin point. Megan O'Brien and Emma Troy both provided attacking options, they were both impressive in the defence while the full-back line of Aisling Sheridan, Cliona Murray and Orlaith Duff was solid. Meath eventually got on the scoreboard in the 16th minute when Adrienne McCann converted a free, but Maria Quirke pointed at the other end for Kerry. Kellie Allen began to exert some influence at midfield and from Samantha Monaghan's kick-out she found Kate Byrne who centred for Bridgetta Lynch who finished to the net. Kerry kept battling and as the teams traded points took a 1-6 to 1-3 interval lead. Meath resumed smartly and points from Adrienne McCann and Lynch reduced the deficit to the minimum, but the Munster girls settled and reeled off some good scores from Galvin and Quirke which helped regain the initiative. McCormack was denied a goal for Meath by a good save before a McCann point kept them in touch. Maeve Barry restored Kerry's three-point cushion ahead of a period in the sin bin for Megan Galvin following a crude challenge on Allen. Althoguht hey kept working hard until the final, Meath were unable to overhaul the opposition and Kerry held on for a merited victory. Meath - Samantha Monaghan; Aisling Sheridan, Cliona Murray, Orlaith Duff; Emma Troy, Lauren McCann, Megan O'Brien; Maire O'Shaughnessy, Kellie Allen (0-1); Laura Bagnall, Vivienne McCormack, Kate Byrne (0-1); Katie Callaghan, Bridgetta Lynch (1-2), Adrienne McCann (0-4 frees). Subs - Sinead Coyle for Callaghan 40 mins, Laura Dempsey for Byrne 45m, Laura Murray for Lauren McCann 57m, Jennifer Newman, Helen Regan, Michelle Peel, Rianna Kelly, Laura Griffin, Leslie Buchanan, Jacinta Maher. Kerry - M O'Connor; B O'Connor, S Guiney, M O'Connor; S Sheehan, E Dillon, M Galvin; L Rogers, M Barry; C O'Sullivan, A Galvin, L Sheeran; N O'Connor, M Quirke, C O'Sullivan. Referee - James Flood (Wexford).