Kerry goals ensure Meath lose out

What was always going to be a big challenge for Meath in the Ladies NFL Div 2A turned into a defeat as Kerry marched to victory 3-10 to 1-10 at Pairc Tailteann today.

Meath never stopped battling but they came up against a savvy, highly efficient Kerry outfit.

Meath's only goal was scored by Vikki Wall in the second-half but the Royals were unable to push on from there.

Kerry's ability to turn chances into scores was a big factor in ensuring they wrapped up the victory.

The visitors from the south led all the way racing into a 2-2 to 0-1 lead after just 10 minutes with goals from Siofra O'Shea and Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh.

At the break Kerry led 2-6 to 0-6 and while the home side fought back strongly they were unable to go in front at any stage - although they did reduce the deficit to just a point early in the second-half.

Wall powered a shot to the net on 39 minutes to give Meath further hope but there was no stopping the physically strong, swift-moving Kingdom side. They added a late third goal scored by Hannah O'Donoghue.

Niamh O'Sullivan topscored for Meath with three points while Orlagh Lally, Emma Duggan, Stacy Grimes and Bridgetta Lynch were others to register scores but Wall scored their only goal when they needed more.

SCORERS

Kerry - Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh 1-2; Siofra O'Shea1-3; Hannah O'Donoghue 1-1; Anna Galvin 1-1; Lorraine Scanlon 0-1; Andrea Murphy 0-1; Niamh Ni Chonchuir 0-1.

Meath - Vikki Wall 1-0; Niam O'Sullivan 0-3; Stacy Grimes 0-2 one free; Emma Duggan 0-2; Orlagh Lally 0-2; Bridgetta Lynch 0-1.

TEAMS

Kerry - Ciara Butler; Julie O'Sullivan, Aislinn Desmond, Ciara Murphy; Niamh Carmody, Cait Lynch, Aisling O'Connell; Lorraine Scanlon, Louise Galvin; Anna Galvin, Andrea Murphy, Emma Dineen; Siofra O'Shea, Hannah O'Donoghue, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh. Subs - Niamh Ni Chonchuir for Lynch 37 mins, Danielle O'Leary for Dineen 43m, Kayleigh Cronin for L Galvin 47m, Megan O'Connell for A Murphy 51m, Ava Doherty for O'Donoghue 58m, Mary O'Connell for Scanlon 61m.

Meath - Monica McGuirk; Aoibheann Leahy, Mary Kate Lynch, Katie Newe; Orlagh Lally, Orla Byrne, Megan Thynne; Emma Duggan, Vikki Wall; Maire O'Shaughnessy, Stacy Grimes, Niamh O'Sullivan; Emma Troy, Aoibhin Cleary, Bridgetta Lynch. Subs - Shelly Melia for Leahy, Meadbh Byrne for O Byrne both 45 mins.

Referee - Declan Carolan (Down).