More silverware for resilient Royals

When it mattered most Meath were able to dig deep and find the qualities they needed to defeat Donegal in today's Ladies NFL Div 1 final at Croke Park.

This was the first time Meath have won the Div 1 crown and they had to work extremely hard to put down the formidable challenge presented by Donegal.

Ahead 1-6 to 0-2 approaching the end of the opening half the Royals went into a sort of self-imposed lockdown in the subsequent minutes and at the break they only led by a point 1-6 to 1-5.

Kelsey Nesbitt scored a super goal for Meath in that opening half while Niamh McLoughlin netted for Donegal from a well-executed penalty.

Early in the second-half Donegal edged one point ahead but with the help of a sweetly taken goal scored by Niamh O'Sullivan Meath went back in front where they stayed.

O'Sullivan was Meath's topscorer with 1-1 with Orlagh Lally and Emma Duggan firing over two points apiece. Stacey Grimes, Vikkie Wall and Nesbitt also lofted over.

Mark Kate Lynch was outstanding for Meath while Monica McGuirk made an excellent second-half save that proved so crucial in the end.

“If you knew this bunch of girls, you could give them 50 sprints to do and they’ll ask for 50. They’re still young, so they won’t burn out. There’s no problem, they’d train seven nights a week if you asked them," said Meath manager Eamonn Murray by way of praising the work ethic of his team.

“They are a very close bunch, they’ll enjoy tonight and probably tomorrow but after that it will be back to training.”

SCORERS

Meath - Kelsey Nesbitt 1-1, Niamh O’Sullivan 1-1, Orlagh Lally 0-2, Emma Duggan 0-2 one free, Vikki Wall 0-1, Stacey Grimes 0-1.

Donegal - Geraldine McLaughlin 0-4 one free, Niamh McLaughlin 1-0 penalty, Karen Guthrie 0-3 two frees, Yvonne Bonner 0-2.

TEAMS

Meath - Monica McGuirk; Katie Newe, Mary Kate Lynch, Shauna Ennis; Emma Troy, Aoibhin Clearly; Maire O'Shaughnessy, Orlagh Lally; Megan Thynne, Aobheann Leahy, Emma Duggan; Vikki Wall, Stacey Grimes, Niamh O'Sullivan. Subs - Bridgetta Lynch for Nesbitt 39 mins, Niamh Gallogly for Leahy 52m, Emma White for Thynne 52m, Orla Byrne for Lally 56m, Orlaith Duff for O’Sullivan 60m.

Donegal - Roisin McCafferty; Niamh Carr, Evelyn McGinley, Niamh Boyle; Tara Hegarty, Nicole McLoughlin, Amy Boyle Carr; Katie Herron, Roisin Rodgers; Blathnaid McLaughlin, Niamh McLaughlin, Shelly Twohig; Yvonne Bonner, Karen Guthrie, Geraldine McLaughlin. Subs - Niamh Hegarty for T Hegarty 41 mins, Tanya Kennedy for Boyle 49m, Emma McCrory for Twohig 56m.

Referee: Garryowen McMahon (Mayo).

SEE PHOTOS FROM GAME, MATCH REPORT AND ANALYSIS IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE