Jane Dolan surges forward for Meath during Saturday's All-Ireland Premier Camogie championship victory against laois at Trim where the Blackhall Gaels player scored 10 points.

Dolan drives Meath forward against Laois

Published: Wed 6 Jul 2011, 4:55 PM

Meath took a crucial first step on the road that could lead to Croke Park on All-Ireland final day when they defeated Laois in the Premier Junior Camogie championship at Trim on Saturday. Laois have always provided a stern test for Meath, but on Saturday the Royal girls looked sharp, especially in the second-half. Both teams laboured a little in the opening half as Laois edged into a 1-5 to 1-4 interval lead. Meath were rocked when Laois managed 1-1 in the opening four minutes with Louise Mahon converting a '45' after Emily Mangan did well to parry a goalbound shot. Soon after Mahon linked with Aine Mahony to make the opening for full-forward Theresa Bennett who finished to the net - at that stage it didn't look good for the hosts. However, the Jane Dolan (pictured) influence had to be considered and the Blackhall Gaels player got Meath on the scoreboard in the sixth minute with a fine point from play, her first of 10 for the hour. Soon after Meath found the net. Katie Hackett worked tenaciously on the right wing and centred for Claire Coffey who still had a lot of work to do. Coffey claimed possession under pressure, but still managed to turn and finish to the net which drew the sides level (1-1 apiece) by the seventh minute. The remainder of the half was a slog as both teams went at it with 100 per cent commitment. Laois shaded the exchanges with points from Mahon (two) Eimear Delaney and Mahony while Meath stayed in touch with three more Dolan points to trail by the minimum at the interval. Meath's Edel Guy was so committed to the cause that she broke two hurleys, the first after only about 10 seconds and by the end of the game six Meath hurleys had been decommissioned. Meath manager John Davis moved Elizabeth Oakes to midfield with Fiona O'Neill for the second-half, Edel Guy moved to the half-forward line and the Royals resumed very much on the front foot. Sinead Hackett pointed from play before Dolan split the posts from a free. Then Katie Hacket provided the centre from which Katie Mullen finished to the net, but a subsequent stoppage for an injury disrupted Meath's rhythm. Mahony pointed a Laois free which left only a goal in it midway through the third-quarter. Dolan added another brace as Laois struggled to contain the Meath ace who continued to pick off the scores. Edel Guy also claimed a fine point from play while Laois kept the score respectable with two Mahon frees and one from Mahony. Solid defensive play was crucial to this Meath victory with both full-back Aoife Thompson and centre-back Kristina Troy delivering solid performances. Niamh Guy, Laura Mangan, Aine Keogh and Louise Donoghue were also to the fore and if Meath can find some more fluency the next day against Roscommon, it will leave then in good shape for the semi-final. A place in the All-Ireland final is within their grasp and the only ones likely to deny Meath are themselves - if they lose concentration. Meath - E Mangan; N Guy, A Thompson, L Maguire; A Keogh, K Troy, L Donoghue; F O'Neill, E Guy (0-1); K Hackett, J Dolan (0-10 six frees, one '45') C Coffey (1-0); E Oakes, K Mullen (1-0), S Hackett (0-1). Subs - A Donnelly for Oakes 42 mins, S Horan for O'Neill 50m. Laois - L Dunne; O Parkinson, D Moore, R Birmingham; M Hogan, S Fitzgerald, M O'Grady; L Mahon (0-5 three frees, two '45s'), S Moynan; A Mahony, E Mahony, E Delaney (0-1); A Hanlon, T Bennett (1-0), J Dollard. Subs - S Burke for Bennett 37 mins, D Mortimer for Hanlon 50m Referee - Malachy McToal (Derry)