Meath overcome Lilywhites to set up Leinster final clash with Dubs

The royals defeated Meath manager Shane McCormack's native Kildare by five points.

Meath 2-11

Kildare 0-12

Tom Gannon reports

Meath knew coming in today's game with Kildare that victory would ensure a Leinster final clash against Dublin. A fantastic first half from the Royals saw them hold a comfortable lead at half-time. Kildare were not going to go down without a fight. Kildare had a fantastic third quarter which saw them narrow the gap to three at one stage. However, Meath finished strong and saw off Kildare well in the end. It was a brilliant team performance from the royals which saw nine different ladies get on the scoresheet for Meath.

Emma Duggan got Meath underway, Duggan brilliantly read a pass from Megan Thynne and all she had to do was pop the ball between the posts. Kildare responded straightaway with a short-range free from Niamh Farrelly. Hazel McLoughlin who had switched to wing forward at the throw-in, put Kildare up by one. Aoibhin Cleary levelled the scoring before Maire O’Shaughnessy weaved past centre-back Ruth Sargent and slotted over to edge Meath ahead. Soon after Ciara Smyth put Meath two up. Shelly Melia followed this up with a point in a fantastic period for Meath. Duggans free on the 12th-minute marker put Meath four to the good as Meath continued to pile on the pressure early.

Following a delay as a result of an injury to Aine Sheridan, Meath and Emma Duggan got back to business with another free to send the royals five up. Straight from the kickout, Meath turned over possession thanks to an interception from Marion Farrelly. Ella Moyles gave it inside to Duggan who polished it off to the net.

Kildare got their first score in 15 minutes when Ellen Dowling scored a short-range free. A short while later centre-back Ruth Sargant narrowed the gap to six. Immediately after Meath got up the field, a wide ball was sent out to Katie Newe who put it in front of Ciara Smyth to run onto. Smyth put Niamh Gallogly through and Gallogly finished the ball well to the back of the Kildare net.

Kildare responded with another free courtesy of Niamh Farrelly right before the half-time whistle. At the break, Meath led 2-7 to 0-5. A cracking first half for the Royal ladies and the fast-paced nature of the game meant that Meath were getting success out of the counterattacks.

Kildare started the second-half strong and opened the scoring with a point from play from Ellen Dowling. After keeper Mary Hulgraine got caught out in possession, Marion Farrelly put her name on the scoreboard. Kildare immediately responded with another free for Niamh Farrelly. Farrelly followed that up with another to leave six between them. Erin Brereton Foley tapped over another and Kildare had begun to find a way back into the game.

After turning over possession, Kildare got up the field and Nessa Dooley finished off a nice score to leave four between the sides. Dooley followed that score up with Kildare’s fifth score in a row before Meadhbh Byrne finally settled the ship for Meath. A quick free from Duggan put Thyne through and she slotted it over to make it a five-point game again. Niamh Gallogly widened the gap to six with only 5 minutes left on the clock.

Having just come onto the pitch, Sarah Munnelly got one back for Kildare before Monica McGuirk came to Meath’s rescue with a wonderful save. Soon after the final whistle was blown which confirmed the victory for Meath and set up a Leinster final clash with Dublin in Croke Park on Sunday, May 12th.

Scorers

Meath - Emma Duggan 1-3 two frees; Niamh Gallogly 1-1; Maire O’Shaughnessy 0-1; Aoibhin Cleary 0-1; Ciara Smyth 0-1; Megan Thynne 0-1; Shelly Melia 0-1; Meadhbh Byrne 0-1; Marion Farrelly 0-1.

Kildare – Niamh Farrelly 0-4 four frees; Ellen Dowling 0-2 one free; Nessa Dooley 0-2; Hazel McLoughlin 0-1; Ruth Sergent 0-1; Erin Brereton Foley 0-1; Sarah Munnelly 0-1.

Meath – Monica McGuirk; Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Nicole Troy; Niamh Gallogly, Lisa Young, Katie Newe; Máire O’Shaughnessy, Aoibhín Cleary; Megan Thynne, Shelly Melia, Ciara Smyth; Ella Moyles, Marion Farrelly, Emma Duggan. Subs – Ciara Lawlor for Sheridan 15m, Meadhbh Byrne for Farrelly 49m, Aisling McCabe for Cleary 52m.

Kildare – Mary Hulgraine; Fiona Troute, Ellie O’Toole, Mia Doherty; Lauren Murtagh, Ruth Sargent(1, Lara Gilbert; Grace Clifford, Hazel McLoughlin; Trina Duggan, Ellen Dowling, Claire Sullivan; Nessa Dooley, Niamh Farrelly, Aoife Rattigan. Subs – Laoise Lenehan for Ellie O’Toole 15m, Leah Doran for McLoughlin 19m, Erin Brereton Foley for Rattigan 41m, Sarah Munnelly for Doherty 55m, Holly Tyrrell for Clifford 56m.

Referee: Paul McCaughey