Strong first-half performance sees Meath over the line in Carlow

Meath came out on top of the low-scoring contest.

Meath 0-9

Carlow 0-7

A solid performance in the first-half from this much-changed side proved that there is plenty of depth within the Meath camogie panel for 2024. Gary Cole and Tom Moloney made nine changes to their starting lineup with regular starters Amy Gaffney, Ciara Foley and Aoife Carey all trialled in alternative positions.

Meath were very dominant in the opening 25 minutes and they raced into a seven-point lead. However, some complacency from the Royals primarily in the second-half allowed Carlow back into contention in the contest. Meath got through the nervy closing exchanges and came out with the victory.

Meath started quickly by securing the opening score straight from the off. Aoife Carey followed that score up with another point. Ciara Foley got Meath's third score in as many attempts to give the Royals an early three-point lead.

Foley put Meath four up and after a very promising opening 10 minutes. The Royals were cruising. Aine McNerneney and Olivia O Halloran knocked over two points in quick succession before Amy Gaffney put Meath up seven points to no score after only 15 minutes.

Meath had several goal chances that came and went, probably the most significant one fell to Gaffney who did really well to weave through the defence and force a great save out of keeper Catherine Kavanagh.

On the 25th minute, Carlow finally got off the mark thanks to a converted 45 by wing forward Eleanor Treacy. Eve Sinnott followed that up with Carlow's first point from play.

The half-time whistle sounded soon after a very dominant opening 25 minutes, Meath held a five-point lead at the break. If even one of Meath's goal chances in the half found the back of the net, Meath probably would have been out of sight at half-time. Two late points gave Carlow hope going into the second half. Meath led at half time 0-7 to 0-2.

Aine McNerneney opened the scoring in the second half. The score was initially given, and then immediately waved wide and finally after some deliberation among the officials, McNerney was awarded the point. Treacy cancelled out McNerneney's point before Carlow's other-wing forward Caoimhe Coady reduced the gap back to four. Almost immediately after Aimee Nolan reduced it back to three and Meath looked a bit rattled.

Emma Hannifen did well to win a free close to the Carlow goal and Foley tapped it over to settle Meath once again. Treacy's close-range free snuck inside the post to leave three between the sides with only 10 minutes left.

Meath looked under pressure as the clock ticked down. Aimee Nolan's score left just two between them. Carlow were going in search of a goal. A ball was dropped into the danger area and Maggie Randle did brilliantly to command her box and clear the ball. Randle's clearance got Meath out of a sticky situation and Meath held on to take the win and kept their hopes of a league final appearance alive. However, that final place at this stage looks set to go Westmeath's way. Meath will play host to Offally next in what may be their final competitive game before the championship kicks off.

SCORERS

Meath- Ciara Foley 0-4 one free; Aine McNerney 0-2; Aoife Carey 0-1; Olivia O'Halloran 0-1, Amy Gaffney 0-1.

Carlow - Eleanor Treacy 0-3 one 45, one free; Aimee Nolan 0-2; Caoimhe Coady 0-1; Eve Sinnott 0-1.

TEAMS

Meath - Tara Murphy; Sonia Leonard, Claire Coffey, Eimear Fagan; Tracy King, Ellen Burke, Maeve Clince; Cliodhna O'Riordan, Aoibhin Lally; Olivia O'Halloran, Ciara Foley, Amy Gaffney; Ella O'Brien, Aoife Carey, Aine McNerney. Subs - Maggie Randle for Murphy (HT), Katie Connolly for O'Riordan (HT), Emma Hannifen for O'Brien (HT), Erin Leddy for Lally (50 mins), Grace Connolly for O'Halloran (50 mins), Rachel O'Neill for Fagan (50 mins), Sophia Payne for Burke (51 mins), Olivia O'Halloran for McNerney (58 mins).

Carlow - Catherine Kavanagh; Rachel Breen, Niamh Minchin, Gillian Doyle; Niamh Canavan, Anna Breen, Mairead O'Shea; Emma Lillis, Aibha Kiernan; Eleanor Treacy, Eve Sinnott, Caoimhe Coady; Ciara Kavanagh, Aimee Nolan, Anna Murphy. Subs - Michaela Donoghue for Niamh Canavan (HT), Holly Wall for Murphy (45 mins).