Tenacious Meath hold out for sweet victory

Waterford surprisingly outgunned in NFL Div 1 clash

Meath...1-9

Waterford...0-10

You have to love sport, the unpredictability of it all, the little surprises, even shocks, that's thrown up every now and again.

Like the outcome of this game for example. There were few, it's surely fair to day, who would have predicated that Meath would win this encounter played on a relatively dry, pleasant afternoon at Dungarvan GAA club.

Waterford were the odds on favourites - and with good reason. After all they had won their opening three games with Kerry and Dublin included in their list of triumphs. It was a run that told a tale of a team on form.

Meath had, by contrast, won only one of their opening three outings. In their previous game against Kerry in Meath Hill they shipped four goals. The trip to Dungargan was full of pitfalls. Ominous obstacles.

Against all the odds Wayne Freeman's team conjured up a strong, formidable performance full of conviction. Helped by the breeze in the opening half they built up a 1-6 to 0-5 interval advantage and stayed, just about, in front throughout the second moiety to claim a victory that put a broad smile on the faces of players, supporters and mentors alike. This was sweet.

Granted Meath were fortunate many of the Waterford players left their scoring boots at home. They hit 12 wides, compared to a modest five chalked up by the visitors.

Those stats can be seen in one of two ways. Waterford were rusty in their shooting or Meath defenders were tenacious in their tackles forcing their opponents to take rushed shots at the posts.

Certainly this victory was built on a ferocious workrate. In the hot pace that was set from the start Wayne Freeman's troop coughed up plenty of frees and possession but they also forced some vital turnovers too with their chasing and relentless harrying.

A good start also helped the Royal cause. With just five minutes played a move involving Niamh Gallogly and Ciara Smyth ended with Orla Finnegan winning the ball close to the Waterford goals and shooting firmly to the net. It was a first-rate finish from the young Seneschalstown player.

Despite the slippery ball - there was a brief but heavy shower at the start - Meath proved well capable of stitching together intricate moves which helped to create openings for players in the forward division such as Rachel Casserly who clipped over three quality points with the hard-grafting, enterprising Marion Farrelly tagging on two from play.

Captain Gallogly also drove forward to raise a white flag.

Waterford's main source of opening half points came from Kellyann Hogan, with two converted frees, while Aine O'Neill, Emma Murray and Maeve Daly also pointed from play. Meath goalkeeper Robyn Murray was certainly busy but she dealt with threats in her usual calm and efficient way.

Meath's four point lead at the interval looked precarious having to deal with a tricky breeze in the second-half. This was when they showed their character.

It was also then substitute Meadhbh Byrne stepped up into the limelight. She produced a powerhouse second-half display topped off by three equisite points from play. Each chance was converted under pressure, the ball swept over the bar with confidence and assurance. The scores kept Meath in front, just about.

Waterford got within a point of the Royals late in the game but couldn't push on. Some of the calls made by referee Seamus Mulvihill irritated Meath fans but Waterford weren't able to capitalise fully on their frees - or chances from open play.

Meath also went close to finding the net again in the second-half. Sarah Wall had a shot rebound off the bar while Ciara Smyth, who executed a couple of brilliant turnovers, was one-on-one with Waterford 'keeper Katelyn Gardiner late on but shot wide.

As it turned to Meath didn't need a second strike to seal a surprise, and sweet, victory.

Meath - Robyn Murray; Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch, Karla Kealy; Sinead Murphy, Amy Gaffney, Katie Bermingham; Orlaith Sheehy, Niamh Gallogly (0-1); Marion Farrelly (0-2), Ciara Smyth, Megan Thynne; Emma Duggan, Rachel Casserly (0-3), Orla Finnegan (1-0). Subs - Sarah Wall for Gaffney 22m, Meadhbh Byrne (0-3) for Finnegan half-time, Alanna Reilly for Farrelly 46m, Orla Smith for Casserly 48m, Orlaith Mallon for Duggan 58m.

Waterford - Katelyn Gardiner; Cora Murray, Laura Mulcahy, Rebecca Casey;Aine O'Neill (0-1), Karen McGrath, Eve Power; Emma Murray (0-1),Kellyann Hogan (0-5 four frees); Katie Murray, Clare Walsh (0-1), Maeve Daly (0-1); Lauren McGregor, Brid McMaugh, Ruby Browne. Subs - Chloe Fennell (0-1) for Daly 40m, Alana McGrath for Mulcahy 22m, Hannah McGrath for K Murray, Lia Ni hArta for McGregor both 55m.

Referee - Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).