Wall features for Royals but victory still proves elusive
Meath suffer second-half collapse
At half-time in today's NFL Div 1 clash Meath led 2-4 to 0-4 and were looking good. Very good indeed. Victory looked a real prospect. Then the game changed, changed utterly.
Waterford came out a different force in the second-half. They pressed forward, moved the ball around and pushed on to win, 1-9 to 2-5. Deservedly so.
That, in a nutshell, is what happened at Ballinlough today. The deeper, more probing question that the Meath management will have to try and answer is why? What happened? What series of events conspired to knock the girls in green and gold off course and lose a match they, at the break, looked destined to win.
Not even the appearance of Vikki Wall in the second-half could ignite Meath's cause. The Dunboyne player is back for the immediate future, back in the fold and she'll be needed to help a faltering, inconsistent Meath side in their quest to retain their All-Ireland title.
Despite the defeat, their fourth in six games, Meath have retained their status with Donegal relegated.
Wall hardly got a touch simply because Waterford monopolised possession in that second-half. She did win the free from which Meath garnered their only second-half score - but without the ball no player can do much.
Ballinlough was the location for Meath's latest outing and the club had a everything in place for what was a big occasion for all concerned. The north Meath side have spent large sums of money on upgrading their facilities including a sumptuous new clubhouse that is a credit to all concerned.
The pitch too is of a high standard and it held up to the wind and rain that lashed down almost as soon as this game got underway. The bitter wind blew across the pitch so it wasn't as if Meath had it behind them in the second-half and faced into after that. There were other more fundamental reasons for the turnaround.
If Meath can reproduce that opening half display on a consistent basis they could be on to something. They were brilliant at times, passing the ball around, stitching moves together.
Feeding off a regular supply of ball Niamh O'Sullivan, in particular, was a big influence on affairs, a fact reflected in the way she scored 1-2. She tormented the Waterford defence.
Her goal on 15 minutes had class written all over it. The ball was played into O'Sullivan who turned smartly and fired home. Bang.
O'Sullivan was also involved in the creation of Meath's second strike just before the interval.
She delivered a pass to the brilliant Aoibhin Cleary who shot goalwards. She watched as the ball came off the woodwork. Amy O'Leary was onto the breaking ball in a flash and she fired superbly to the net. Meath looked on a roll.
Kellyann Hogan was a big factor in keeping Waterford in the game with three opening half scores in that first act but it was looking good for the home side at the interval.
Then it all changed as Waterford dominated possession. Hogan fired over another three points after the break but Waterford edged ahead for the first time on 53 minutes when they worked their goal. A Meath player gave the ball away close to her own goals. Waterford swooped and seconds later Lauren McGregor slotted home.
In the closing stages Emma Duggan registered Meath's only second-half score from a free while Hogan also converted a free-kick.
It was to prove a crucial score as Waterford held on to win by the minimum margin. The visitors had done it - and deservedly so, if only for their second-half display.
SCORERS
Waterford - Kellyann Hogan 0-6 four frees; Lauren McGregor 1-2; Brid McMaugh 0-1.
Meath - Niamh O'Sullivan 1-2; Amy O'Leary 1-0; Aoibhin Clearly 0-1; Emma Duggan 0-1.
TEAMS
Meath - Robyn Murray; Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Katie Newe; Niamh Gallogly, Shauna Ennis, Aoibhin Cleary; Maire O'Shaughnessy, Aoife Minogue; Megan Thynne, Ali Sherlock, Ciara Smyth; Amy O'Leary, Stacey Grimes, Niamh O'Sullivan. Subs - Amy O'Dowd for Smyth half-time, Emma Duggan for O'Leary, Shelly Melia for Ennis both 41 mins, Aisling McCabe for Minogue, Vikki Wall for Sherlock both 49m.
Waterford - Evelyn O'Brien; Cora Murray, Megan Dunford, Aoife Murray; Eve Power, Emma Murray, Kate McGrath; Kellyann Hogan, Aoibhe Waring; Aine O'Neill, Annie Fitzgerald, Caragh McCarthy; Karen McGrath, Brid McMaugh, Lauren McGregor. Subs - Catherine Hynes for McCarthy, Niamh Power for Waring, Shauna Parker for Fitzgerald, Neesha Whelan for O'Neill.