Sweet revenge for Meath as they march on to quarter-finals

Meath survived a stern third quarter test from Tipperary, but passed with flying colours to advance to the knockout stages of the Ladies All-Ireland SFC with an impressive 1-18 to 0-7 victory over Tipperary in Portlaoise tonight.

Leading by 0-12 to 0-4 at half-time, Meath were pegged back to five points by Tipperary, but then a wonder goal from Vikki Wall settled Eamonn Murray's charges again and they pulled clear in the closing stages.

Victory over Tipperary secured Meath's senior status and sends them through to the SFC quarter-finals where they will face either Armagh or Mayo.

The win was also sweet revenge for losing the 2019 All-Ireland IFC final to Tipperary.

Meath started in blistering fashion and were off the mark within seconds with Emma Duggan opening the scoring.

Less than three minutes later Duggan set up Aoibhin Cleary to double Meath's lead and they continued to dominate with Duggan posting two more points, one free, to stretch Meath's lead to 0-4 to 0-0 after eight minutes.

A cleverly worked move from a '45' set up Vikki Wall for a score and Meath proved they could be patient too as Orlagh Lally finished well after a sustained spell of possession.

Another converted free, this time from Stacey Grimes, made it 0-7 to 0-0 and when Niamh O'Sullivan got in on the scoring act it looked set to be a long evening for Tipperary.

Orla O'Dwyer did get her side up and running with the last kick before the water break and with stern words from their manager Declan Carr ringing in their ears Tipperary improved in the second quarter.

Despite their improvement it was two points from Duggan either side of a Ava Fennessy score that stretched Meath's lead to 0-10 to 0-2, but Tipperary did apply more pressure with Angela McGuigan converting a free and dropping another short.

Meath replied with scores from Grimes (free) and Cleary, but it was Cliona O'Dwyer who had the first real goal chance as she fired over from close range to make it 0-4 to 0-12 at half-time.

Tipperary upped the tempo when play resumed. Caitlin Kennedy force Monica McGuirk into a fine save before McGuigan converted a free.

Meath were struggling to get out of their own half, but Tipperary hit three wides in three minutes before McGuigan added her third free.

another good save by Mcguirk denied Niamh Hayes, but when Anna Rose Kennedy lofted over a super point to make it 0-7 to 0-12, Tipperary had Meath on the rack.

However, the Munster side failed to score again and after the water break it was all Meath as Wall's stunning goal settled them and they added points from Aoibheann Leahy, O'Sullivan, Wall, Megan Thynne and Grimes to run out comfortable winners.

SCORERS

Meath - Vikki Wall 1-2; Emma Duggan 0-5 one free; Stacey Grimes 0-3 two frees; Niamh O'Sullivan 0-3; Aoibhin Cleary 0-2; Orlagh Lally 0-1; M Thynne 0-1; Aoibheann Leahy 0-1.

Tipperary - Angela McGuigan 0-3 free; Orla O'Dwyer 0-1; A Fennessy 0-1; Cliona O'Dwyer 0-1; Anna Rose Kennedy 0-1.

TEAMS

Meath - Monica McGuirk; Katie Newe, Shauna Ennis, Mary Kate Lynch; Aoibhin Cleary, Emma Troy, Aoibheann Leahy; Vikki ll, Maire O’Shaughnessy; Orla Byrne, Stacey Grimes, Niamh O’Sullivan; Emma Duggan, Bridgetta Lynch, Orlagh Lally. Subs - Megan Thynne for Byrne (44), Niamh Gallogly for Leahy (51), Shelly Melia for Lally (56), Emma White for B Lynch (59), Meadhbh Byrne for O'Sullivan (59).

Tipperary - Lauren Fitzpatrick; Laura Nagle, Maria Curley, Emma Cronin; Lucy Spillane, Caitlin Kennedy, Elaine Kelly; Anna Rose Kennedy, Orla O’Dwyer; Cliona O’Dwyer, Ava Fennessy, Laura Dillon; Roisin Howard, Niamh Hayes, Angela McGuigan. Subs - Aoibhe O'Shea for Dillon (ht), Ellen Moore for Nagle (ht), Edith Carroll for C O'Dwyer (42), Roisin Daly for Fennessy (60).

Referee - Barry Redmond (Wexford).