Sensational Lynch goal helps Meath secure welcome victory
Early days yet in the LGFA NFL but already Meath's Mary Kate Lynch has scored a goal that will be difficult to surpass.
The full-back moved upfield to loft the ball to the net from about 30 metres out in the second-half of today's Div 1 clash with Donegal at Letterkenny.
The Summerhill player deceived the Donegal 'keeper with her lop, the ball sailing into the net just under the crossbar.
The victory was just what Davy Nelson's charges needed following their defeat to Dublin last weekend when they team struggled to find form.
Today in Letterkenny the sides were level 0-3 apiece at the break with Niamh O'Sullivan, Niamh Gallogly and Stacey Grimes firing over for Meath before the referee called for the interval.
Grimes, O'Sullivan, Meadhbh Byrne and Ailbhe Leahy also registered points for the victors in the second-half but it was Lynch's remarkable goal that really went a long way to sealing the welcome win for the reigning All-Ireland and league champions.
Meath did lose Máire O’Shaughnessy to the sin bin late on however they withstood late pressure and clinched the victory and condemn Donegal to a second successive loss.
Scorers - Meath - Mary Kate Lynch 1-0; Stacey Grimes 0-2 frees; Niamh O’Sullivan 0-2; Niamh Gallogly 0-1; Meadhbh Byrne 0-1; Ailbhe Leahy 0-1.
Donegal - S White 0-3 two frees; K Long 0-1; C McGarvey 0-1.
Meath - Monica McGuirk; Áine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Kate Newe; Niamh Galloghy, Shauna Ennis, Aoibhin Cleary; Maire O’Shaughnessy, Aofe Minogue; Megan Thynne, Meadhbh Byrne, Ciara Smyth; Olivia Callan, Stacey Grimes, Niamh O’Sullivan. Subs: Shelly Melia for Callan 42 mins, Rachel Casserly for Smyth 50mins, Ailbhe Leahy for Thynne 59 mins.
Donegal - A McColgan; K Dowds, E McGinley, E Gallagher; A Boyle Carr, J McFadden, T Hegarty; S Twohig, R Rodgers; S Boyle, K Long, L Ryan; S White, S McGroddy, C McGarvey. Subs - N McLaughlin for McFadden 42 mins, A Walsh for McGroddy 46m, N Carr for Dowds 57m, C Walsh for Long 59m, C Gillespie and S Higgins for McGinley and McGarvey 63m.
Referee - Kevin Corcoran (Mayo).