‘Regaining the Brendan Martin Cup is most definitely the aim’
LGFA All-Ireland series preview
Following on from a gallant effort against Dublin in the Leinster final, Shane McCormack's Meath ladies are back in action this week as their All-Ireland series campaign gets underway. First up for Meath is a home game against Armagh at Pairc Tailteann.
There have been a few memorable clashes between the sides over the last 12 months. A late goal from Armagh's Niamh Coleman proved to be decisive when the two faced off at the Athletic Grounds in round one of the 2024 LGFA All-Ireland series.
At the end of March, McCormack's Royals got their revenge over the Kildare native's former side when Emma Duggan kicked over a late free to secure the victory in the final round of the LGFA Div 1. That match was something of a dead rubber though as the result had no impact on the league standings.
Since their slightly underwhelming league campaign, Meath have made good strides and their efforts accumulated in a brilliant performance in defeat to Dublin in the LGFA Leinster final at Croke Park.
Despite the disappointment of the result, there were certainly plenty of positives for McCormack and his management team to take away from that defeat to the Dubs last time out.
The opening quarter was extremely positive and it was reminiscent of the lad's performance at Portlaoise two weeks previous. Meath ladies led 0-7 to 0-1 after about 20 minutes. Marion Farrelly's injury was a turning point in the game and the loss of the St Michael's club player in the short term is a huge blow for Meath.
Meath does still have plenty of firepower going forward though. They still rely quite heavily on the exploits of the St Peter's pair, Emma Duggan and Vikki Wall but Ciara Smyth and Kerrie Cole have cemented themselves as vital clogs in Meath's attacking options. Niamh Gallogly continues to be a consistent performer and she was sublime against Dublin.
Karly Kealy has come on leaps and bounds and has nailed down that wing-back position in front of probably the best full-back line in the country at the moment, Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch and Katie Newe.
Between the sticks, Robyn Murray has been an absolute sensation this year and has pulled off at least one massive save in every game.
On their journey to Navan, Armagh will be full of confidence off the back of their retention of the Ulster title. The Orchard County defeated Donegal, 3-9 to 0-7, as two early goals from Aoife McCoy set Armagh on their path to victory in St Tiernach's Park.
Armagh have strong performers all over the pitch. Their captain, Clodagh McCambridge is a rock at the heart of their defence, while wing-back Grace Ferguson has got a very impressive engine. Aoife McCoy is a huge threat going forward as is Lauren McConville and Kelly Mallon.
As their former manager, McCormack knows better than anyone the talent within the Armagh ranks but he will be hoping that his side can bounce back from the heartbreak of the Leinster final defeat and kick-start their All-Ireland series journey with a victory.
Meath captain Aoibhin Cleary is due to make the switch to AFL and compete for Richmond at the end of the year but her main focus for the moment remains with the Royals and the team's ambitions to regain the Brendan Martin Cup.
Speaking at a media event recently, Cleary praised the management and the squad for the good vibes within the camp.
“Regaining the Brendan Martin Cup is definitely the aim, the focus. We have a great management and backroom team, we have a great group of girls. So yeah, it’s just trying to push ourselves to our potential and really try and get the most out of us.”
Cleary said that the blend of youth and experience within the squad at the moment is working well.
“I think it’s great having a mix of experience. There is still a few girls around who would have been involved in those years, in 2021 and 2022, but we have a lot of new girls in as well, fresh blood, and they just bring so much enthusiasm.”
The two-time All-Star will depart for Australia when Meath's season comes to an end but she insisted that her focus for this year's GAA inter-county season was always going to be with Meath.
“Playing with Meath this year was not a question for me, so I’m really grateful and really blessed that I am getting the opportunity to do both; to play the season here with Meath and then head over to Richmond."