Stalwarts Wall and Ennis salvage draw in epic encounter

A goal from Shauna Ennis and a late point from Vikki Wall earned Meath a draw in their opening ALL-Ireland SFC game

Meath 3-8

Armagh 2-11

TOM GANNON

Meath came from four points down with two minutes remaining to earn a dramatic draw against Armagh in their opening game in Group 3 All-Ireland Ladies SFC.

In the 58th minute, Armagh extended their lead to four but a goal from substitute Shauna Ennis and then a point from Vikki Wall salvaged Shane McCormack’s side a draw.

With the wind at their backs, Armagh looked strong in the opening exchanges and led Meath by 0-4 to 0-2 after eight minutes. Ciara Smyth then assisted Wall who produced a fine loopy finish to the top right corner of the Armagh net which edged the Royals in front.

Wall and Smyth followed up the goal with a point each but Armagh were back in the lead when Aoife McCoy burst through the Meath defence and hit the back of Robyn Murray's goals. After 23 minutes of play, Armagh led 1-6 to 1-4 and Meath looked a bit under the coche.

With two minutes left in the half, Meath captain, Aoibhin Cleary, made a vital interception at her own '45' and played a lovely ball to Emma Duggan before she continued her run. Duggan found Wall and Wall set up Cleary, who after starting the move, finished it as well by finding the back of Anna Carr's net.

Niamh Reel's short-range free was the last bit of action for the first half, and the sides went in at the interval all-square, Meath 2-4 Armagh 1-7.

Mallon and Duggan traded points in the early exchanges of the second-half. An excellent point from Clery put Meath ahead by one, however, Armagh rattled off 1-2 in a row to lead by four.

The third quarter was largely uneventful, and between the 43rd minute and the 58th minute, the only score was an Emma Duggan free kick. Caroline O'Hanlon then restored Armagh's lead of four. The penny dropped with Meath and they now had to go in search of scores.

A speculative ball into the danger zone from Emma Duggan was expertly claimed by two-time All-Ireland-winning captain Shauna Ennis who then turned and found the back of the Armagh net much to the delight of the strong Meath support.

Cometh the hour...in the very next play, Vikki Wall scored an excellent point to level the sides with only a minute left on the clock. Meath had a chance to win it but they failed to get a shot away in the dying moments and Maggie Farrelly's final whistle confirmed a split of the spoils.

Meath - Robyn Murray; Ane Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Katie Newe; Aoibhin Cleary (1-1), Sarah Wall, Karla Kealy; Orlaith Sheehy, Marion Farrelly; Megan Thynne, Niamh Gallogly, Ciara Smyth (0-1); Emma Duggan (0-3 two free), Vikki Wall (1-3 one free), Kerrie Cole. Subs - Katie Bermingham for Farrelly 37m, Shauna Ennis (1-0) for Cole 45m, Ciara Lawlor for Kealy 48m.

Armagh - Anna Carr; Maeve Ferguson, Caoimhe McNally, Megan McCann; Emily Druse, Cait Towe, Grace Ferguson; Niamh Coleman, Caroline O'Hanlon (0-1 one free); Lauren McConville (0-2), Aoife McCoy (1-1), Kelly Mallon; Sarah Quigley, Niamh Henderson (0-2), Niamh Reel (1-5 four free). Subs - Roisin Mulligan for Quigley half-time, Kelly Mallon for McNally 47m, Eve Lavery for McCann 52m.

Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).