Meath bounce back from slow start to secure victory
It was tough, it was at times daunting but with the help of a strong second-half performance Meath achieved a 1-19 to 3-7 victory over Kildare in the National Camogie League Div 2 at Dunganny today.
Brendan Skehan's side took some time to get going but once they did they proved too strong for the Lilywhites.
Meath conceded 1-1 in the opening minutes but at the break they led 0-11 to 2-2 thanks partly to five points from Jane Dolan, three frees, and three top-notch efforts from play scored by the highly impressive Amy Gaffney. The Kildare goals were scored by Leah Sutton and Derbhile Byrne.
In the second-half Meath upped the tempo of their game and managed to convert possession into scores far more efficiently.
Kildare did get a third goal soon after the re-start from Emma Kielty but in general Meath were in control with Minogue, Dolan, Gaffney and Sinead Hackett all going on to score points.
Gaffney continued to have a huge influence on the game with the Meath defence becoming much more formidable in terms of holding back the Lilywhites attack.
In the closing stages Minogue capped a fine display with a goal while Dolan had a penalty shot rebound off the post - but by then Meath's victory was secure.
SCORERS
Meath - Jane Dolan 0-6 four frees; Amy Gaffney 0-5; Aoife Minogue 1-3 one free; Sinead Hackett 0-2; Aedin Slattery 0-2; Kristina Troy 0-1.
Kildare - Emer Reilly 0-5 frees; Emma Kielty 1-0; Leah Sutton 1-0; Derbhille Byrne 1-0; Siobhan Hurley 0-1; Ciara Egan 0-1.
TEAMS
Meath - Maggie Randle; Louise Donoghue, Ellen Burke, Sophia Payne; Nadine Doyle, Maeve Clince, Tracy King; Kristina Troy, Aedin Slattery; Grace Coleman, Aoife Minogue, Jane Dolan; Amy Gaffney, Sinead Hackett, Megan Thynne. Subs - Leah Devine for Thynne, Sophie Healy for Minogue both 55 mins, Aine Cooke for Troy 58m, Aine McNerney for Dolan 62m.
Kildare - Tayna Johnson; Catriona Temple, Nicole Malcolmson, Una Delahunt; Ellen Morgan, Niamh Hegarty, Caolfhionn Halissey; Shauna Mulligan, Emer Reilly; Siobhan Hurley, Emma Kielty, Caoimhe Maher; Ciara Egan, Derbhille Byrne, Emma Cully. Subs - Eirn McEvoy for Delahunt 55m, Ciara McAndrews for Temple 61m.
Referee - Mick Ryan (Tipperary)