It doesn’t matter how you do it once its done

Meath…0-12

Donegal…1-07

What defines a true champion? Actually, that’s another question to which there’s no definitive single answer. However, knowing how to win is often the biggest factor. That was certainly the case this evening as Eamonn Murray’s history making ladies qualified for a fifth straight All Ireland Final appearance.

For clarity, that is three Intermediate Finals (two defeats) in succession and last year’s Brendan Martin showpiece fixture against Dublin. Of course, between then and now Meath have also added the National League Div. 1 title to their haul.

In the latter, they overcame today’s opponents and, in a case of forewarned is forearmed, Maxi Curran’s charges put the Royals to the pin of their collective collars then so it should’ve been no surprise to see another epic encounter between the sides.

Stacey Grimes (two) and Orlagh Lally accounted for the title holders’ only scores in a defensively orientated first at the end of which a converted penalty from former Rep. Of Ireland international Niamh McLaughlin gave the North West women a three point cushion at the break.

Those in arrears had played against the strong breeze in the first half and went through a portion thereof down to 14 as Maire O’Shaughnessy was – harshly in my view – given a break in the Bin.

Mind you, all the above notwithstanding, it could simply be said Meath hadn’t played well enough in the first half. It was a different story in the second half. The title holders hitting the first half dozen scores of the second half.

Grimes added to her tally, but the major turning point was surely the growing influence of Emma Duggan and Vikki Wall as the second half wore on. That said, their opponents gave as good as they got and, were it not for a smart Monica McGuirk save from Donegal substitute Karen Guthrie, Murray’s team may have been in even greater peril.

As well as the Duleek/Bellewstown custodian, skipper Shauna Ennis, Mary Kate Lynch, Maire O’Shaughnessy and Niamh O’Sullivan grafted withthe nouse and determinauion of champions which in turn allowed Duggan kick with confidence and accuracy, sealing a fifth Final date in a row.

Meath: M. McGuirk; S. Ennis, M. K. Lynch, K. Newe; A. Cleary, E. Troy, A. Leahy; M. O’Shaughnessy, O. Lally (0-1); M. Thynne, E. Duggan (0-4), K. Nesbitt; V. Wall (0-1), S. Grimes (0-5), N. O’Sullivan (0-1). Subs; B. Lynch for Nesbitt, O. Byrne for O’Shaughnessy, E. White for O’Sullivan, O. Duff for Lynch.

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway)