Royals cruise to victory over Laois

Meath were comfortable winners over Laois on Saturday in the Camogie League Div 2

Meath 2-16

Laois 1-8

GAVIN COOPER

Meath secured their second win from three outings in the Div 2 Camogie League with an impressive victory over Laois on Saturday afternoon.

Meath made full use of the elements in the first half and settled quickly into their rhythm. Emma Regan opened the scoring after just three minutes and confidently split the posts to give the hosts an early platform. Laois responded through a free from Aimee Collier, but Meath continued to show attacking intent.

Isabel O’Connor edged Meath back in front as the home side looked sharp in possession. Laois struck for a goal against the run of play when Kirsten Keenan found the net which briefly shifted the momentum. However, Meath’s reaction was immediate and composed. Aoife Carey pointed to steady matters and ensured the deficit remained minimal.

There was a brief lull in scoring before Roisin Heaney reduced the arrears to a single point. Although Collier restored Laois’ two-point advantage from a placed ball, Meath responded with their most decisive spell of the game. In a blistering four-minute period the Royals registered 1-2 to seize control.

Points from Ciara Foley and Heaney demonstrated Meath’s growing authority around the middle third, and the breakthrough goal soon followed. A clever delivery from Maeve Clince caused problems in the Laois defence and Regan reacted quickest to finish confidently to the net.

That goal shifted the balance firmly in Meath’s favour. They pressed hard until the interval and added points from Foley and Carey which opened up a four-point lead at the break, 1-8 to 1-4.

Laois started well after the restart but Meath consistently found answers whenever required. Leah Devine was increasingly influential. The Na Fianna woman linked play effectively and also contributed on the scoreboard. While Laois tried to chip away at the deficit Meath’s defensive structure held firm and limited clear-cut opportunities.

The definitive score arrived in the final quarter when Meath struck for their second goal. The score injected fresh energy into the side and effectively created daylight between the teams. Olivia O’Halloran added a well-taken point before Ella O’Brien made a telling impact and registered a goal and a point to put the result beyond doubt.

Meath finished the contest in emphatic fashion with a late flurry of points from Grace Connolly, Regan, Devine and two from Grace Coleman. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory, a performance built on clinical finishing, intelligent use of the wind, and sustained intensity across the hour.

Meath - Maggie Randle; Sophia Payne, Maeve Clince, Rachel O’Neill; Leah Devine (0-2), Abbye Donnelly, Erin Leddy; Isabel O’Connor (0-1), Ellen Burke; Olivia O’Halloran (0-1), Aoife Carey (0-2), Roisin Heaney (0-2 frees); Ella O’Brien (1-1), Ciara Foley (0-2), Emma Regan (1-2). Subs: Aoibhin Lally for Heaney 42m, Grace Coleman (0-2 frees) for Foley 50m, Grace Connolly (0-1) for Burke 52m, Brodie Kelly for Carey 59m.

Laois - Aedin Lowry; Laura Finlay, Ellen Conroy, Fiona Scully; Rachel Deegan, Clodagh Tynan, Sarah Creagh; Lucy Conroy, Amy Lacey; Kaylee O’Keeffe (0-1), Kirsten Keenan (1-1), Aoife Finlay (0-1); Susie Delaney, Aimee Collier (0-4 three frees, one ‘45’), Catherine Kirby. Subs: Tiegan Reilly Bowe for Lacey half-time, Karla Whelan for Deegan 34m, Aisling O’Dea for O’Keeffe 40m, Eimear Hassett (0-1) for Delaney, Sarah Fleming for Creagh both 50m, Rachel Bergin for E Conroy, Julie Ann Bennett for Scully, Amy Daly for Collier all 53m .

Referee: Simon Redmond (Dublin)