Meath cruise to victory over the O'Moore ladies

Shane McCormack's side got their Leinster campaign off to a winning start

Meath 3-11

Laois 1-7

The Meath ladies got their Leinster campaign off to a decent start with a comprehensive win over Laois in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon. Marion Farrelly stole the show with a fantastic performance and a fine tally of 2-2. There were plenty of hardworking performances as Niamh Gallogly, Ciara Smyth, Ella Moyles and Mary Kate Lynch were all constantly up and down the field. No easy task on a day when the sun was beating down on Meath’s HQ.

Emily Lacey got Laois off to a fast start with a score straight from the throw-in. Having missed a short-range free, Emma Duggan immediately responded for Meath with her first score to draw the sides level. Laois danger woman Mo Nerney got her tally underway.

Nerney doubled her tally to put Laois up by two before Shelly Melia was fouled in the Laois box and after some deliberation with the umpires, a penalty was awarded. Duggan slotted it to the bottom corner and edged Meath in front. Three points in quick succession from Duggan, Farrelly, and Ciara Smyth put Meath four up in the contest at the quarter-way mark.

A poor kickout from Laois Eimear Barry was caught directly by Duggan. Duggan laid it off the Farrelly who hit it first time to the back of the net while Barry was still scrambling back.

Moments later Farrelly got Meath’s third goal after Shelly Melia played the St Micheals woman through and all Farrelly had to do was place the ball past Barry. Melia had two goal chances herself but could not convert either.

Laois could have been awarded a penalty when it appeared that Monika McGuirk fouled corner forward Katie Donoghue. However, the referee decided against awarding the spot kick. Moments later the ref blew his whistle for half time.

Despite getting off to a bit of a slow start Meath had taken control of the game at the break by 3-4 to 0-3. As expected Meath was making light work of the O’Moore ladies defence. At the other end, the Laois forwards were holding their own and Meath was struggling to handle Mo Nerney in particular.

Mo Nerney and Niamh Gallogly traded points at the start of the second half. Nerney then got on the end of two well-worked Laois moves to narrow the gap back to eight. McGuirk was forced to pull off a great save from sub-Aerin Ryle, however, Lauen Kearney managed to get her hands on the rebound and finished it off to the net to give Laois a bit of hope.

That hope was quickly extinguished when Ciara Smyth and Marion Farrelly rattled off two points in quick succession. Duggan brought her tally to 1-4 with her third free. Megan Thynne extended the gap to 10 points with seven minutes on the clock. Ciara Smyth got her third point in injury time before Nerney brought Laois’ tally to 1-7. That score was only a consolation in the end as the Royals ran out comfortable winners.

A much tougher task awaits Meath in next week's clash against Kildare. Kildare were well beaten by Dublin but they did rest some key players to have them ready for what essentially is a Leinster semi-final against the Royals in Navan next Sunday.

SCORERS

Meath – Marion Farrelly 2-2 one free; Emma Duggan 1-4 three frees; Ciara Smyth 0-3; Megan Thynne 0-1; Niamh Gallogly 0-1.

Laois – Mo Nerney 0-6; Roisin Allen 1-0; Emily Lacey 0-1.

TEAMS

Meath – Monica McGuirk; Ciara Lawlor, Mary Kate Lynch, Nicole Troy; Aoibhin Cleary, Lisa Young, Katie Newe; Maire O’Shaughnessy, Ella Moyles; Megan Thynne, Shelly Melia, Ciara Smyth; Niamh Gallogly, Marion Farrelly, Emma Duggan.

Laois – Eimear Barry; Sinead Farrelly, Clodagh Dunne, Isabel Finlay; Grainne Lalor, Mary Cotter, Ciara Malone; Rebecca Reddin, Anna Moore; Grainne Moran, Orla Hennessy, Emily Lacey; Mo Nerney, Lauren Kearney, Katie Donoghue.