Meath…2-08
Donegal…1-09
Goals from Kelsey Nesbitt and Niamh O’Sullivan ultimately won the day as Meath continued their amazing success story by adding the Lidl Ladies NFL Div. 1 trophy to their ever expanding resume of success following this pulsating encounter in Croke Park.
However, while exquisite nature of Meath’s attack has been rightly serially lauded in recent seasons, today’s triumph was founded on a magnificent defensive effort as Eamonn Murray’s side combined efficiency in the tackle with patience and instinct garnered over time to see off the most spirited of challenges from an advancing Donegal outfit.
As one would have expected, the All Ireland Champions were quickly out of the blocks courtesy of Nesbitt’s three-pointer and points from Emma Duggan (free), Orlagh Lally. the goal scorer and Stacey Grimes as a 1-06 to 0-02 lead was constructed as half time approached.
Thereafter, mind you, Maxi Curran – who was a key member of Jim McGuinness’s entourage in The Hills – saw his charges dominate the remainder of the half. A Niamh McLaughlin penalty, for which Meath full back Mary Kate Lynch was very harshly sin binned. After which points followed from Yvonne Bonner and Geraldine McLaughlin and Karen Guthrie left only the minimum, 1-06 to 1-05, half way through.
With Summerhill’s Lynch still in the bin for the first six minutes of the second half, it was the Ulster county who broke quickest from the stalls to hit the first two scores of the period to hit the front for the first time. There’s no doubt the return of their full back was crucial to and steadied Meath before O’Sullivan’s off-balance point attempt dipped and ended up nestling in the net at the Canal End.
Though the second ‘Major’ left Meath three clear 12 minutes into the second half, but for the majority of the remaining 18, they were forced into a mass rearguard action. Curran’s crew drove at Meath relentlessly as Geraldine McLaughlin, Guthrie and, imperiously, Bonner pointed to leave the minimum between the sides.
Indeed na cailini from the North West must surely be wondering tonight how they haven’t the silverware gone home with them. They dominated possession and territory in the closing stages but were met with stern and skilled resistance. To such an extent that not even the obfuscating of meddlesome Mayo referee Garryowen McMahon could throw the current queenpins off their stride.
Maire O’Shaughnessy and Duggan dropped back to augment the barricades and drove out with a skip full of ball as Katie Newe, Lynch and Emma Troy repelled repeated advances on the Meath goal. Though it still took a stupendous stop from the mighty Monica McGuirk to ensure the banks weren’t breached again.
With the siege momentarily lifted, Vikki Wall, who had worked tirelessly throughout, powered towards the Donegal goal and lofted over her only score of the day to add a slight veil of insurance to the day’s events. Only after their doughty opponents launched one more shot at salvation.
But, after a volleyball-like scramble in front of Hill 16, which continued as the referee allowed play to continue for at least a minute after the hooter had gone, it was thoroughly appropriate that it was magnificent McGuirk who ended up with ball in hand when a halt was eventually called.
Thus sealing Meath’s third consecutive league title but a first in the county’s history at the top table. These are heady days for Meath ladies football and they may not be over yet.
Meath: M. McGuirk; K. Newe, M. K. Lynch, S. Ennis; A. Leahy, E. Troy, A. Cleary; M. O’Shaughnessy, V. Wall (0-1); M. Thynne, O. Lally (0-2), E. Duggan (0-2); K. Nesbitt (1-1), N. O’Sullivan (1-1), S. Grimes (0-1). Subs; B. Lynch for Nesbitt, N. Gallogly for Thynne, E. White for Grimes, O. Byrne for Lally, O. Duff for O’Sullivan.
Referee: Garryowen McMahon (Mayo)
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